Just before the conclusion of spring football, the Utah athletic department released the newest members of the Crimson Club Hall of Fame. Each year there are obvious names that stand out, but this year some jumped out at me. Namely, Mike Anderson, Ashley Postell and Kim Smith. Below is the complete list, and some of the bio info from UtahUtes.com, but these names jumped out for a couple of reasons.
First, with Anderson, obviously so many people think of him for his Vegas Bowl performance, which was awesome. But I think he was a seriously underrated back in the NFL. He had a very nice career, and the Rookie of the Year was nice, but he was just a work horse. He wasn’t flashy, like Jamal Anderson, but he was so effective and was a big piece of the Bronco’s offense. He’s a name I think a lot of people may forget when it comes to Utah great running backs, or it doesn’t come up enough.
Ashley Postell was basically the MyKayla Skinner of a decade ago. She as awesome, as stated below, she is the only 20-time All-American in NCAA history. She was in the MWC days, of course, so while the stakes were high, with them competing for titles, they weren’t able to compete for Pac-12 Championships. She was incredible on beam, and was just all-around amazing. The team wasn’t quite able to get over the hump, with 3 NCAA runner-up finishes, but she did all she could.
Lastly, Kim Smith. She led that incredible Women’s basketball team to the Elite Eight in 2005-06, and they were so close to the Final Four. A couple missed free throws late may have cost the Utes with the eventual National Champion, Maryland, but she was incredible. She has her No. 4 retired at the Hunstman Center, and she was a rock star at the U. Check out her accolades below, but her team really got me locked into women’s basketball, because they were so fun to watch.
Here’s the full list, make sure to go to UtahUtes.com for more.
Mike Anderson (Football) – In his first season at Utah in 1998, he led the Western Athletic Conference in rushing with 1,173 yards and was named first-team all-WAC. As a senior in 1999, Anderson led Utah and finished second in the Mountain West Conference in rushing while again earning first team All-Conference honors. He set a school single-game rushing record that stood for 17 years (and currently ranks second) when he ran for a Las Vegas Bowl record 254 yards against Fresno State in 1999. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos and was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2000. He still holds a number of Denver rushing records.
Amanda Feigt (Soccer/Track)
Ashley Postell (Gymnastics) - 2002 World Balance Beam Champion and 2008 USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame Inductee. The only 20-time All-American in NCAA history, Postell was the 2007 NCAA balance beam champion and a three-time NCAA all-around silver medalist. She led Utah to three NCAA runner-up finishes and one third-place team finish. Utah’s record holder for single season (47) and career (120) wins, she was the team’s MVP all four years.
Kim Smith (WBB) – Has played professionally in Belgium, Spain, Hungary and most recently France and also played three seasons in the WNBA (2006-08). She is the only women’s basketball player in Utah history to have her number retired. Smith was a four-time Mountain West Conference Player of the Year and a third-team All-American as a senior after earning honorable mention honors the previous three seasons. She helped lead Utah to the Elite Eight as a senior in 2005-06. She is Utah’s leading scorer with 2,281 points.
Mike Sojourner (MBB)
Ron Steele (M. Skiing)