Getting to know Utah fans...
by JazzyUte on Jun 18, 2010 12:10 AM MDT
in Football
25 comments
New conference, new questions and now some answers.
Who, exactly, makes up the Utah fan base? You'll find we're a very diverse collection of heathens (that's what we're called by our brothers to the south, BYU). You can meet 'em after the jump...
| The Mormon Ute |  |
Though maybe a minority in the state of Utah, the Ute Mormon is nothing like the BYU Mormon. They are two completely opposite beings. Might as well be from different planets. And you've got to give them credit because they put up with a lot of junk from their BYU Mormon pals. In some parts of Utah County, it's blasphemous to root against the Lord's school. But they do it and they do it well. |
| The Rebel Ute |  |
The non-Mormon Ute. They're a growing number in Utah and generally can be loud and at times, a bit crazy. But they mean well - most of the time. You'll often find them in the MUSS (that's the Mighty Utah Student Section), the NEZ (that's the North End Zone) or passed out drunk in the tailgate lot an hour before kickoff. I may or may not belong to this group... |
| The Drunk Ute |  |
Like the Rebel Ute, but much older. They're not likely LDS (anymore) and they spend most their Saturdays boozing and eating before any big game. It's hard to miss these folk because they're often loud and extremely obnoxious. But we love 'em because they do hate BYU and they aren't afraid to show that hatred at any moment, regardless of who the opponent. |
| The Bandwagon Ute |  |
Unfortunately, they do exist. It happens when you suddenly become good, though. They're not totally bad...until they miss a few games when the team loses one weekend. They came into the fold around 2003 and I'll give them credit, many have stayed. But their support is still soft.
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| The 'Down in Front' Ute |  |
These fans remember when Ike Armstrong was roaming the sidelines (Ute football coach from 1925-1949) and because of that, they feel they have every right to tell you what to do. If you're standing and it isn't third down, they'll tap you nicely on the shoulder and demand you put your butt back into your seat. They're not a plentiful group (I mean, they are old after all and we know what happens to old people). But it doesn't make them any less annoying. It's best to just ignore them. Sooner or later, they'll nod off. |
That's a look at the Utah fan base. I think I summed it up pretty well, though maybe some Ute fans can add on to this list. Hopefully you'll meet some and won't be too annoyed by others.
2 recs |
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Remind me, since I don’t know too much about your fanbase — which ones are the classless ones? I figured it was the drunk Utes, but maybe it’s a surprise and it’s actually the Mormon Utes.
The U of O: Where idle hands are the devil's workshop.
It's the Rebel Utes
If you avoid the MUSS, or the North Endzone, you usually avoid them. Other than that, Ute fans are exactly as classless as BYU fans.
“I don’t pour beer on Max Hall’s family often, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis”.
by jim2 on Jun 18, 2010 10:12 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
What about out of state, non Mormon Utes?
I’m Jewish, graduated when Utah was truly bad and a home game with BYU really was a BYU home game, live in California (where a surprising large number of Utah grads live), mostly only follow Utah when they’re doing well (probably because that’s about the only time you really can follow them out of state), and went to a graduate school that has won an NCAA basketball championship during the past 10 years. So, I don’t fit in any of those categories.
Now with the Pac-10+2, I’ll bet broadcasts in Southern California of Utah games is going to be quite a bit more frequent.
Yeah,
The lack of Utes fans in NW Florida is what drove be to begin my blogging career.
I think at Block U we might have a large proportion of disenfranchised Utes, who have watched their team blossom from afar.
With all the Alabama fans I know and see daily it has been a pleasant ride indeed!
BCS Evolution -- Punctuating the Equilibrium - twitter
I admit....
I fit in the Mormon Ute category. Trust me, the flak I’ve gotten from my BYU buddies has been rough these past few years. (2008 was a nice breather though).
First off, welcome to the Pac-10!
Ever since you guys knocked off Alabama, most of us Cougs (the good kind) have been closet Utah fans (maybe you should include us in your demographic then? haha)
I grew up in Spokane Washington, which has probably the largest collection of Mormons outside of Utah. They also tend to be a very conservative bunch (no pop with caffeine or dresses that show shoulders) so many of my friends go to BYU. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to know you guys got in instead of them!
Once again, congrats!
Bleezz, Spokane's got a big group, but you're forgetting places like
Mesa, AZ and Henderson, NV.
Everyone hates a pink-shirt-wearing communist.
by displacedute on Jun 18, 2010 10:22 AM MDT up reply actions
. . . and Boise, ID . . .
Bleezz, reminds me, though, y’all are going to have to get used to a completely different meaning for “Cougars”/“Cougs” . . .
by The Ancient Mariner on Jun 18, 2010 11:24 AM MDT up reply actions
you know what would be great this season is if we dominate like i think we can(the mwc)
and just destroy byu at the end of the season like we did in brian johnson last year. then when we goto the pac – ten next year we can proclaim colorado is our new rival and we won’t play byu for at least five years. let them be pissed off b/c we are the utah team that was invited and that we beat them bad in our last season in the mwc. lol. they would just go crazy if they did not have the opportunity to get us back the next year. leave them frustrated i say.
I'm all about covering the spread and moneylines. Craig Thompson just might end up being a savvy guy. Hell is just a word, the reality is much much worse." Event Horizon". Now remember, when things look bad and it looks like you're not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean, I mean plumb, mad dog mean. cause if you lose your head and you give up then you neither live or win. That's just the way it is. "The Outlaw Josey Wales". To protect the sheep you gotta catch the wolf, and it takes a wolf to catch a wolf. "Training Day". Rashad will beat Rua b/c it's a bad matchup for him. 2/1 odds. Josh Koscheck will dethrone Gsp and win the welterweight title. 2.9/1 odds on that too. Peace.
by wolfmanshowlforever on Jun 18, 2010 12:54 PM MDT up reply actions
Are rebel utes rebels because they are allowed to drink….gasp….caffeine?
Just kidding Mormons. I love you guys.
Onto victory urge the heroes, of our mighty Oregon!
by TennesseeQuackAttack8 on Jun 18, 2010 10:46 AM MDT reply actions
Welcome to the Pac 10!
I am so excited that the Utes are joining the Pac 10! I got my Phd from WSU this spring and I got a job at Dixie State. Salt Lake City will be a short drive (compared to Pullman or Southern California) to see some Pac 10 action. When I got the job in Utah, I figured I was in MWC territory; but now I am excited to see that Utah is a Pac 10 state! So awesome! I’ll be up in Salt Lake for the first WSU @ Utah football game: I’ll be the guy with the WSU Drew Bledsoe jersey on getting weak beer poured on him by a Drunk Ute.
I’m a Mormon Ute…. I love being a Ute! There are actually lots of us…. I am so glad I’m not a BYU fan…. thanks Dad for raising me right!
so there
by Steamboat Billy on Jun 18, 2010 1:35 PM MDT reply actions
Orange County Ute
It will be great to be able to attend some more games. I have had to settle for a few local games here and there like the San Diego State game and long distance games like BYU-Utah game and flying to the Sugar Bowl.
Here in Orange County, CA there are a lot of us “disenfranchised” Ute fans (as utefan100 put it). The coverage of the MTN network has really sucked out here and so i have felt somewhat isolated. In fact, I specifically subscribe to DirecTV (for the MTN) just to watch a few games a year in low definition. I cannot wait to dump the MTN. What garbage!
Oh and by the way, I guess I fit into the Mormon-Ute category; although I cannot sing as anything like Donny Osmond.
TEXAS UTE'S
Isn’t there a Jack-Mormon in there somewhere? Seriously though, to be fair I hate all the Mormon vs. non Mormon comparisons as much as I hate 1st question I always get asked once people find out I’m from Utah…. wait for it…“Are you Morman?”. In fact this blog makes me cringe… not this, please not this! Step away from Donnie and Marie, the book of Mormon, your green Jell-O, my beer, and think for a second about the image you project to the world. Come on people!! We’ve put up with so much over the years… i.e. the 80’s… and now for you all to come unhinged and completely cheese out with a 5 size fits all definition myth, you’re killing me! A Ute fan loves to win, beating any PAC 10 team & Alabama, and despises BYU as much as Texas hates OU (Sorry PAC-10 but I spent 9 years in the Bay area and no one cared about the Cal vs. Stan game… NO ONE!!). That’s all anyone needs to know… Just walk boy’s, there’s no need to run. She’s finally asked you to dance you don’t have to puke all over yourself.
I for one am anxious to see how it all shakes out this year and in year one! Here’s to kicking some Irish out of south bend in November, a great 2011 class of freshman, a seasoned stud QB, solid run game, and a deep experienced D! GO UTES!
York Pennsylvania Utes
The one Mormon ward (York II) outside the state of Utah with more Ute fans than BYU fans! Go to a Ward activity and there is always Ute gear and trash talk a plenty!
You mean not all Utes are Mormons? We can’t use old-time Mormon jokes non stop? (Utah didn’t seem prepared today… I think their seer stones aren’t working. I just got a copy of Utah’s playbook from last season… it’s written on golden plates.)
Just kidding. This was a great post, as is the usual on your site- Block U impresses mightily.
Rodney Sermons 4 Lyfe
by Brad Otton Is My Homeboy on Jun 18, 2010 11:09 PM MDT reply actions
Happy Valley Ute-more of us than you think
Perfect description of Utah fans. Thanks for emphasizing the difference between Ute and BYzoo mormons. I think you should add the “Smuggler Ute.” Guys I sit by smuggle dozens of cans every game…they got confiscated only three of the six games last year. Those guys bring alot to the fan base.
by GodisBrianJohnson on Jun 19, 2010 12:06 AM MDT reply actions
Another OC Ute
I am in the Jazzy drunk Catholic category. When I was at the U I swam on scholarship and we partied twice as hard to make up for those who did not. Our fan base is diverse and all will be surprised as to how normal our pregame activities can be.
We are generally a fun loving bunch and have a good time, win or lose. I am very excited about the move to the PAC and the chance to see local football and basketball games and tourney if they keep it at Staples.
Classic! Nice job, Jazzy!
I confess to fitting into the “Mormon Ute” category. I did not grow up here in Utah so the antics and attitutes of “born and raised Utah mormons” never ceases to amaze me and I’ve been here now for 20 years.
I attend Utah football games with many other “Mormon Utes” who are friends and neighbors. I love cruising through the tailgate lot, NEZ and MUSS. While I don’t participate in they’re partying, I also don’t criticize their right to do so.
Go Utes!
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