For all the U students who have been eager to feel what it’s like to be on a mountain, but have been too lazy to actually climb one, a new opportunity has emerged. The catch is, it might be a slightly different mountain from what some are thinking of.
The mtn. network — the television home to the Mountain West Conference — is giving students at the U a chance to be on an unconventional mountain. The mtn. will be invading the U campus to broadcast a live version of the mtn.’s Friday Nite Pep Rally series in preparation for the Utes’ homecoming tilt with the Aggies of Utah State. The festivities begin tomorrow at 8 p.m. at the west parking lot of Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Notable attendees of the Utah pep rally will include U basketball head coach Jim Boylen, quarterback Brian Johnson, strong safety Steve Tate, and former Ute and Atlanta Falcon running back Jamal Anderson. Fans in attendance will be able to take part in activities such as a rap competition and a contest to see who can stretch a ZAGG’s invisibleSHIELD — typically used to protect electronic devices — the most.
Following the pep rally at Rice-Eccles Stadium, students and U fans will be able listen to a pep talk from head coach Kyle Whittingham and a few select U football players at the Union Plaza starting at 8:30 p.m. Also featured at the Homecoming Pep Rally will be a basketball skills competition similar to the one featured at the NBA All-Star Weekend.
The Friday Nite Pep Rally is not the only thing going on during a busy Homecoming weekend at the U.
Homecoming Scholarship Scramble
Friday morning features the 2nd Annual Homecoming Scholarship Scramble at Bonneville Golf Course. The tournament — which has a shotgun start time of 8 p.m. — costs $100 per person, with a portion of the entry fee going to the Young Alumni Scholarship Fund. Golfers interested in participating can call 581-6995 for more details.
Young Alumni Scholarship 5K race
Saturday morning features the Young Alumni Scholarship 5K race to raise scholarship money for U students. The race kicks off at 8:30 a.m. at the Alumni House and will wind around most of the U’s upper campus. Three student participants will be selected to receive $500 scholarships at the end of the race. For more information contact Tricia Stroker at 585-9012.
Pre-game tailgating party
Before the homecoming game against Utah State, fans can enjoy a tailgating party located on Guardsman Way and 500 South (near the Utes’ Smith Center practice facility). The party will commence shortly after the Utes finish their Ute Walk pre-game tradition. The walk takes the U football team from its practice facilities to Rice-Eccles Stadium. The walk begins at 10:30 a.m.
Homecoming student dance
Once the football fans and the media personnel clear out of the Rice-Eccles Stadium Towers, the main ballroom will transform into a dance floor equipped to hold even the most severe case of Saturday night fever. The dance starts at 9 p.m. and will cost $10 for individuals and $15 for couples.