I'll always be a Utah Ute!

[Sean Reynolds]

With the truest blessing by the Ute Nation, the University of Utah has called itself the Runnin' Utes since 1972 -- when they changed their name from the Redskins. Utah, as a state, also gets its name from the Ute Nation.

Today's ruling by the NCAA may possibly force the Utes to change their name, but I'll never call myself whatever they choose. As I am, and always will be, a Ute.

Some of my greatest memories have come from cheering on the Utah program.

It was the Utes that stunned the defending national champions and #1 seeded Arizona Wildcats in the 1998 Elite Eight.

It was the Utes that stunned the favored national champion and #1 seeded North Carolina Tar Heels in the 1998 Final Four.

It was the Utes that held a ten point half-time lead on the Kentucky Wildcats in the 1998 NCAA Championship game.

It was the Utes that shocked #1 ranked Alabama a few years ago.

It was the Utes that became the first school in college sports history to produce a number one draft pick in both the NFL and NBA drafts (Andrew Bogut in the NBA, Alex Smith in the NFL -- both this year).

It was the Utes that shocked the BCS and became the first football program ever from a non-BCS conference to play in a BCS bowl game.

It was the Utes that became only the second team ever to win a BCS bowl game and advance to the Sweet 16 in the same year (the only other program was Syracuse).

It was the Utes that were named by Street and Smith's Magazine as the 11th best program in college basketball history. Ahead of teams like Arizona, Syracuse University, North Carolina State University, University of Texas and the University of Illinois.

They may take the name, but I'll always be a Ute...and I'll always be proud to call myself one!

[GOPisEvil]

1. I'm generally against Native American nicknames, but if the tribe

gives its blessing then I don't have an issue with it. I believe that Florida St. has a similar blessing from the Seminoles.

[WindRavenX]

2. heh

I'm dating a mormon who loves UofU :evilgrin:

[Sean Reynolds]

3. Some famous Utes.

Jack Gardner



A member of the basketball hall of fame, Gardner was the head basketball coach of the Runnin' Utes for 18 years. In that span he took the Utes to two Final Fours -- becoming the only coach in NCAA history to take two different programs (he also took Kansas State) to two different Final Fours. He retired in 1971 with a 486-235 (.674) record at the collegiate level. At the time he was the third most winningest coach in college basketball history.

Rick Majerus



Rick Majerus is probably the most known Ute. He took over the Utah basketball program in 1989 and became one of the most successful coaches in college basketball. He guided the Utes to the 1998 NCAA Championship. In 2003 he retired because of health problems.

Nolan Bushnell

Nolan Bushnell is the co-founder of Atari, and set off a gaming revolution.

Ed Catmull

Ed Catmull is the co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios.

Gordon B. Hinckley

The president of the LDS Church.

Andre Miller



Andre Miller is the current PG for the Denver Nuggets. He led the Utes to the 1998 Championship game.

Keith Van Horn

Keith Van Horn was the #2 NBA Draft pick in 1997. He's now a member of the Dallas Mavs.

Kyle Whittingham



New head football coach at the University of Utah. Over the past ten years he's been the Utes defensive coordinator, and in that span often had some of the best defenses in college football.

Urban Meyer



Current Florida head coach Urban Meyer guided the Utes to a 22-2 record in two seasons. In 2004 he took the Utes to an undefeated 12-0 season and a Fiesta Bowl win. They became the first non-BCS conference team ever to play in a BCS bowl game.

Ray Giacoletti



Current Utah basketball head coach, Ray Giacoletti guided the Utes to the Sweet 16 in his first season.

We're all Utes today!

[democrat in Tallahassee]

4. And Florida State is sanctioned by the Seminole Tribe. The Seminole

Princess is in our homecoming court every year. We aren't making fun of them or being racist, nor do they take it as an insult. When the Seminole tribe complains then we should change our name, until then we are Seminoles.

[Sean Reynolds]

5. Yes.