Despite having been born in Annapolis, Md., Danielle Keddington bleeds red, and as far as she knows, it’s something she was born with.
“I watched games as early on as I can remember,” Keddington said. “I have pictures of my sister and I in Utah cheerleader dresses singing Utah Man with a pacifier in my mouth. It was never a realization, it was part of who I was.”
It’s easy for Ute fandom to be engrained in your DNA with a pedigree like Keddington’s. She is a fourth generation Ute, and all of her siblings have graduated from or are currently attending the U. Her father drives around Maryland with ‘UTES’ as his license plate and a drum and feather spare tire cover.
Not only is Keddington a die-hard Ute, but her husband, Keith, is too. They met when Keith was president of the MUSS and Danielle was the president of the Student Alumni Board. All of their early interactions were surrounded by Utah sports.
“Keith’s and my first text exchange was me asking him to pick up more paint during Homecoming house decorating for the alumni house,” Daneille said. “Our first kiss was after a Crimson Club Hall of Fame dinner. We even delayed our honeymoon one night so we could watch our Utes upset No. 5 Stanford in the fall of 2013.”
The commitment by the Keddingtons to the U has extended into their married life. Danielle currently works as a development officer for the L.S. Scaggs College of Pharmacy, where Keith is a first year student.
“This marriage never would have worked if we weren’t both fully committed to Utah Athletics,” Danielle said. “It was such a big part of our lives before we met. We both needed someone who understood the passion and love that is Utah Athletics. We can fully celebrate the wins together, and we both understand the silence after a tough loss.”
Some of Danielle’s favorite memories include the Sugar Bowl and beating Stanford instead of leaving on her honeymoon, but her favorite was Brandon Burton’s blocked field goal to beat BYU in 2010.
“I pick this memory [as my favorite] because I have never gone from terrified and nauseous to absolute pandemonium so fast in my life,” Danielle said. “That feeling can never be replaced. I could listen to the KALL 700 radio broadcast of the end of that game over and over and still get chills.”
Danielle’s worst moment as a Ute fan was definitive. Unlike her long list of great memories, there was no hesitation when she told me Oregon 2014 was her worst memory. Utah’s Kaelin Clay celebrated early and dropped the ball on the one-yard line, subsequently causing a 100 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. Any excitement in Rice-Eccles was let out like air from a deflating balloon.
“I think we would all like to forget that moment,” Danielle said.
For her husband, Keith, the worst moment came in a Utah win.
“Keith always says 2012 when we rushed the field three times is his worst moment as a Ute,” Danielle said. “He was MUSS president at the time, and is convinced that he is still the only student section president to get a penalty in the history of student sections.”
The Keddingtons are true Utes through and through. Danielle’s office is always decorated with memorabilia, and most days you can find her wearing the drum and feather somewhere on her clothing. Keith never wears a suit without his Block U pin on the jacket. When asked what their reaction would be if they ever had a child who wanted to attend BYU, Danielle’s reaction was, “They won’t.”