This article originally appeared in the Orientation print issue, in stands May 2025. It has not been updated and some information may be out of date.
Attending the University of Utah comes with many benefits, including studying at one of the top schools in the West, access to countless resources to ensure student success and being a part of a vibrant community nestled in downtown Salt Lake City.
One of the best parts of being a Ute is being able to support your Utes teams. The University of Utah has excelled in sports teams for years and has produced several notable athletes.
Utah gymnastics has made its 49th consecutive NCAA National Championship appearance. Utah football’s home record since 2011 is 56-23, and our ski team has just won their 17th NCAA championship. These are just some of the accolades our Utes teams have accomplished over the years.
What helps fuel our teams and their energy is our excitement towards Utah traditions. One tradition Utah is well known for is our 3rd down jump. This involves everyone in the Mighty Utah Student Section getting hyped on the bleachers and jumping up and down to catch the opposing team off guard.
Another tradition the Utes occasionally do is our dark mode game. The football players all wear dark uniforms, with fans encouraged to all wear dark colors to show support and unity for our Utes. A beloved tradition is “Moment of Loudness,” in which Utes fans cheer and shout between the third and fourth quarters to honor the memory of Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe, former Utes players.
A classic tradition the U takes part in is known as “Light the U.” Each time a certain sports team wins, they get the opportunity to help light the U by pushing a lever that allows the U located above campus to be lit up. The U has been able to do this since 2006.
On game days for our football team, tailgating is a fun way to prepare for the upcoming game. Tailgating takes place in many spots around campus. One usual way to see and participate in a tailgate is through most of the parking lots, which are reserved for tailgating, with many people cooking on grills and serving refreshments. Another popular option is known as the “Ute walk” near Guardsman Way and 500 South, in which you get the chance to see the players enter the stadium and listen to the drums being played by the band. There are also locations such as the Rice-Eccles Stadium, which has the outside reserved for tailgating. If you are in the MUSS, they also partake in tailgating, free food, drinks and giveaways for some gear. Overall, the Utes have some of the best tailgating in the West.
If you are a student, one of the best ways to be involved is by being a part of the MUSS. The MUSS is well-known across the country, winning ESPN Student Section of the Year in 2021.
The MUSS takes part in many activities, one being the MUSS bus. The MUSS bus allows you and your MUSS friends to be able to take a bus and travel to an away game. The deal comes with a bus fare, tailgate ticket and game ticket. Being a part of the MUSS allows you to be able to meet more members and experience an away game. Plus, if the game is far enough away, hotel accommodation can be provided as well.
If you want to get more involved in MUSS, you should consider the MUSS board. The MUSS board is a group of students who are involved in all things MUSS, such as tickets, marketing, giveaways, design, tailgates and more.
Another key part of being a part of the MUSS is how you help motivate the team and give the crowd and teams energy. Utah football head coach Kyle Whittingham has praised the MUSS, stating that it gives players energy and helps them get momentum.
“The football team, the coaches, everyone’s feeding off the MUSS … they’re like the batteries that make everything go,” said Whittingham.
Being a University of Utah student gives you many perks and things to look forward to, including the opportunity to hype up our sports teams. With our support, we can continue our school’s legacy on and off the field for years to come.
