Little known fact about me. I'm a graduate of the U. I went to law school at the SJ Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah. That didn't change my primary team but it changed who I gave second billing to. I went to all of the U of U home football games during the storied 2004 season. I stood in the stands on my student ID ticket and sang Utah Man (although I only knew a few of the words). I even got my first law firm out of school to pony up annual 4 figure donations to the U athletic department.
Now that you all know my dirty secret, I think I can criticize my fellow Utes without it being put down to rivalry smack. Last night I was over at the Gateway picking up sushi at the crappy sushi place when I spied a pair of guys in Pitt colors. As I got closer to them I realized they were wearing Pitt gear. Ever the appropriate host, I asked if they were in town for the game and warned them how tough it is to beat "us" up on the hill. They laughed and we exchanged small talk. I also directed them, at their request, to the SkyBox. As they were walking away, one of the guys turned to me and said, "You're not really a Utah fan, are you?"
I replied, "Of course I am."
They guy persisted, "I don't believe it." I then explained to him that I'm primarily a Cougar fan but I cheer for the Utes when they aren't playing BYU.
The other gentlemen had rejoined the conversation by this point and said, "That makes more sense. The Utah fans have been incredibly rude, unwelcoming, and classless and you were very polite and helpful. Figures you aren't really one of them."
The other guy chimed in, "Seriously, we have never had a reason to cheer for BYU in the past but after seeing what you guys have to deal with every year, we're BYU fans when they play Utah from now on."
I admonished them not to judge the program by a few bad fans and they both shook their heads. "This isn't about a few bad fans. This is about coming on a road trip and being heckled by assholes all day. You'd think we were at West Virginia or something."
We had a laugh and said goodbye. While I was driving home I thought about it and thought to myself that Utah fans, like BSU fans, need to start believing the Utes are as good as they actually are. The Rodney Dangerfield approach makes us look classless and insecure. Basically, stop sucking.
Now that you all know my dirty secret, I think I can criticize my fellow Utes without it being put down to rivalry smack. Last night I was over at the Gateway picking up sushi at the crappy sushi place when I spied a pair of guys in Pitt colors. As I got closer to them I realized they were wearing Pitt gear. Ever the appropriate host, I asked if they were in town for the game and warned them how tough it is to beat "us" up on the hill. They laughed and we exchanged small talk. I also directed them, at their request, to the SkyBox. As they were walking away, one of the guys turned to me and said, "You're not really a Utah fan, are you?"
I replied, "Of course I am."
They guy persisted, "I don't believe it." I then explained to him that I'm primarily a Cougar fan but I cheer for the Utes when they aren't playing BYU.
The other gentlemen had rejoined the conversation by this point and said, "That makes more sense. The Utah fans have been incredibly rude, unwelcoming, and classless and you were very polite and helpful. Figures you aren't really one of them."
The other guy chimed in, "Seriously, we have never had a reason to cheer for BYU in the past but after seeing what you guys have to deal with every year, we're BYU fans when they play Utah from now on."
I admonished them not to judge the program by a few bad fans and they both shook their heads. "This isn't about a few bad fans. This is about coming on a road trip and being heckled by assholes all day. You'd think we were at West Virginia or something."
We had a laugh and said goodbye. While I was driving home I thought about it and thought to myself that Utah fans, like BSU fans, need to start believing the Utes are as good as they actually are. The Rodney Dangerfield approach makes us look classless and insecure. Basically, stop sucking.
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