U T A H B A S K E T B A L L

Transcription

1 U T A H B A S K E T B A L L THIS IS UTAH

2 UTAH MEN S BASKETBALL T H I S I S U T A H Salt Lake City Salt Lake City, home to the University of Utah and the state s capital city, offers an unrivaled blend of metropolitan life and recreational opportunities. With 186,440 residents, Salt Lake City is the largest city in the state and its metro population of 1,029,655 ranks in the top 50 in the United States. Yet Salt Lake City maintains the charm of a small western city. THE BEST CITY Fifth-best City for the Next Decade, Kiplinger s Personal Finance Magazine Best City for Jobs, Forbes Magazine 237 days of sunshine per year 15 percent average humidity Host city for the 2002 Winter Olympics ENTERTAINMENT Nine ski resorts within an hour s drive Home to the Sundance Film Festival Five professional sports franchises Symphony, opera, theater and dance SALT LAKE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Five minutes from downtown Ranked third-best in the U.S. by Zagat.com 23rd-busiest airport in the U.S. Delta Airlines hub Employment opportunities, culture, quality of life and recreation are some of the reasons why Salt Lake City is consistently named one of the nation s best cities. In the June 2010 issue of Kiplinger s Personal Finance Magazine, Salt Lake City was No. 5 on its list of the 10 Best Cities for the Next Decade. Forbes Magazine selected Salt Lake City as The Best City for Jobs in both 2007 and 2008, and it was termed the Fittest City in the Nation in 2009 by Men s Fitness magazine. Nestled between the Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountain ranges and the Great Salt Lake, the city is located in one of the most picturesque places on earth. The lowest point within city boundaries is 4,210 feet near the Great Salt Lake, and the highest is Grandview Peak at 9,410 feet. The Great Salt Lake (48 miles wide and 90 miles long) is the world s second largest saltwater lake and the largest lake in the western United States. The city is the cultural, financial, educational, technological, commercial and communications hub of the Intermountain West. Utah was named the most technologically advanced state in the 2008 Digital States Survey and rated as one of the top 10 most socially networked cities in America. Salt Lake is also home to world-renowned medical and technology industries. Cultural and ethnic activities flourish in Salt Lake City and its vibrant downtown features dining, shopping, music and ethnic festivals, art galleries, professional symphony, opera, theater and dance. The annual Sundance Film Festival, which is the largest independent film festival in the U.S., attracts movie stars, celebrities and thousands of film buffs to the area every year. According to P3/ Production Update Magazine, Utah is one of the 10 Best States in the Nation for Film. Professional sports franchises in Salt Lake City include the Utah Jazz (NBA), Real Salt Lake (Major League Soccer), Salt Lake Bees (AAA baseball), Utah Blaze (Arena Football) and Utah Grizzlies (East Coast Hockey League) M E D I A G U I D E

3 T H I S I S U TA H UTAH M EN S BASKE TBA LL SNAPSHOT OF THE U. Founded in 1850 Research I University Top 100 world ranking 190 majors (undergraduate/graduate) 2007 Nobel Prize winner Mario Cappechi The University of Utah Ranked among the top 100 universities in the world, the University of Utah is renowned for its research expertise, academic performance and athletic prowess. The U., which has earned a top-tier ranking from the Academic Ranking of World Universities for eight consecutive years, became a member of the Pac-12 Conference on July 1, Founded in 1850, the University of Utah encompasses 1,500 acres in the foothills of the towering Wasatch Mountains. The campus is located just minutes from downtown Salt Lake City and worldclass ski resorts. The campus combines an eclectic mix of teaching and research facilities in a park-like setting of trees, fountains, flowering malls and pedestrian walkways with incomparable views of the Salt Lake valley. Home to a student population of over 30,000, the U. offers some 100 undergraduate and 90 graduate majors. Many of the U. s programs are nationally ranked, including law, pharmacy, architecture, business, engineering and dance. Students come from all 50 states and many foreign countries. Utah ranks among the top public research universities in the nation, with particular distinction in medicine, genetics and engineering. In , the University received a record-setting $451 million in external funding for research. University of Utah geneticist Mario R. Capecchi, one of many acclaimed faculty members, received the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine for his work on gene targeting. The U. leads the nation in the number of spin-off companies started with University-developed research or technology. In 2010, 19 new companies were formed, for a total of 102 new startups since In 2010, University of Utah Health Care was ranked No. 1 in quality in the nation among academic medical centers. The Eccles Institute of Human Genetics is one of several innovative medical programs at the U. Others include the Huntsman Cancer Institute, the Moran Eye Center and the Brain Institute. The U. is also noted for its work in technology and computer sciences. The University s School of Computing was founded in 1965, and began a pioneering legacy in computer graphics and visualization that continues today. A lively residential living experience is provided in the beautiful Heritage Commons, which served as the Athletes Village for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Utah students enjoy unparalleled recreational activities, from skiing and snowboarding at any of nine world-class resorts in nearby canyons, to backpacking, mountain biking, fly fishing and river running. The U. s location in the largest city in the Intermountain West, with a metro population of over one million, allows for an urban experience in a spectacular natural setting. The U. is home to the state s natural history and fine arts museums, and well as the Pioneer Theatre Company. TOP 25 IN RESEARCH Utah ranks among the top 25 public research universities in the nation, with particular distinction in medicine, genetics and engineering. W W W. U T A H U T E S. C O M 11

4 U TA H ME N S BA S K E T BAL L T H I S I S U TA H Who s Who At The U. The University of Utah boasts many distinguished alumni, among them professional athletes, inventors, actors, politicians, educators, entrepreneurs, authors, university and church presidents and scientists. The names that follow (alphabetically) belong to some of the most recognizable public figures to attend the U. 12 Jamal Anderson, 1999 NFL Pro Bowl, led NFC in rushing Mike Anderson, 2001 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Rocky Anderson, former mayor of Salt Lake City Alan Ashton, co-founder of WordPerfect Corp. Terrel H. Bell, former U.S. Secretary of Education Bob Bennett, U.S. Senator Andrew Bogut, No. 1 NBA draft pick in 2005 Nolan Bushnell, co-founder of Atari and inventor of Pong Orson Scott Card, award-winning science fiction author Ron Carlson, award-winning fiction author Ed Catmull, co-founder and president of Pixar Animation Studios Jim Clark, co-founder of Silicon Graphics, Inc. and Netscape Stephen Covey, authored The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Keene Curtis, Tony Award winning actor Andre Dyson, 2006 Super Bowl starter Kevin Dyson, Music City Miracle put Titans in 1999 Super Bowl Spence Eccles, prominent financier and philanthropist Larry EchoHawk, head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs LaVell Edwards (MS), former BYU football coach Luther Elliss, two-time NFL Pro Bowler Lily Eskelsen, vice president of the National Education Association David Evans, groundbreaking computer scientist Richard Paul Evans, authored best seller The Christmas Box Arnie Ferrin, NBA, former Utah athletics director Mark Fuller, president and CEO of WET Design Jake Garn, former U.S. Senator E. Gordon Gee, president of Ohio State University Bill Gore, inventor of Gore-Tex fabric Henri Gouraud, computer scientist invented Gouraud shading Jordan Gross, 2004 Super Bowl starter, 2008 Pro Bowl Lee Grosscup, popularized shovel pass, former ABC football analyst Ann Weaver Hart, president of Temple University Gordon B. Hinckley, 15th president of the Mormon Church Jon. M. Huntsman, Jr., former U.S. Ambassador to China, former governor of Utah Mickey Ibarra, former White House director of intergovernmental affairs Robert Jarvik, MD, inventor of the Jarvik-7 artificial heart Alan C. Kay, innovator of overlapping windows concept for PCs Frederick Kempe, president and CEO of the Atlantic Council Kay Atkinson King, a director for the U.S. House of Representatives M E D I A G U I D E Blaine Lindgren, Olympic silver medalist in track Missy Marlowe, Olympic gymnast, NCAA champion J.Willard Marriott, founder of Marriott International Inc. Bob McDonald, former chair, president and CEO of Proctor & Gamble David O. McKay, ninth president of the Mormon Church Andre Miller, one of the NBA s best point guards Wat Misaka, only Japanese-American to play in the NBA Leilani Mitchell, starting point guard for WNBA s N.Y. Liberty Charles K. Monfort, chairman and CEO of the Colorado Rockies Thomas S. Monson, 16th president of the Mormon Church John Naisbett, author of the bestseller Megatrends David Neeleman, founder and former CEO of JetBlue Airways John C. Nelson, MD, advisor to the National Institutes of Health Martin Newell, computer scientist invented the Utah teapot John Nogawski, president and COO for CBS TV distribution Raymond Noorda, former president, CEO and chair of Novell Inc. Jody Olsen, former deputy director of the Peace Corps Martha Raddatz, chief foreign correspondent for ABC News Simon Ramo, scientist developed the intercontinental ballistic missile Calvin Rampton, Utah s only three-term governor John W. Ryan, former president of Indiana University Cecil O. Samuelson, president of Brigham Young University George Seifert, former NFL coach won two Super Bowls Rocco Siciliano, special assistant to President Eisenhower Alex Smith, No. 1 NFL draft pick in 2005 Sean Smith, NFL starter for the Miami Dolphins Steve Smith, four-time Pro Bowler led NFL in receiving in 2005 Wallace Stegner, Pulitzer Prize winning author Jane Summerhays, Tony Award-nominated actress Laurel Thatcher, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Keith Van Horn, No. 2 NBA draft pick averaged 16 pts in 10-year career Olene Walker, first woman governor of Utah John Warnock, co-founder of Adobe Systems Inc. Eric Weddle, NFL starter for the San Diego Chargers Brad Wilkins, co-designer of the first zero-energy skyscraper Terry Tempest Williams, author and environmentalist Larry Wilson, NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Evelyn Wood, speed reading innovator

5 T H I S I S U T A H UTAH MEN S BASKETBALL Meet Us In the MUSS The MUSS, one of the most avid and vocal student fan clubs in the nation, is nearly 6,000 strong at Ute home football games and its presence at basketball games continues to grow. The name MUSS was originally derived from the school fight song lyrics ( No other gang of college men dare meet us in the muss). Members now refer to MUSS as an acronym for Mighty Utah Student Section. The Student Fan Club at the University of Utah, a longtime basketball tradition, renamed themselves The MUSS in The MUSS has reserved seats at the front of the student section for all home men s basketball games. Originally derived from the school fight song ( No other gang of college men dare meet us in a muss), the Utah student fan club has since used MUSS as an acronym for Mighty Utah Student Section. The group s membership should approach 1,000 for the season. MUSS members are easily identified by their customized teeshirts. Strategically positioned next to the opponent s bench, Ute opposition must also shoot their second-half free throws while staring right into the teeth of the raucous group. Watch for the MUSS to regularly Throw up a U, a tradition that began at the Utah women s gymnastics meets in 2004 and soon caught on with all the Ute teams and fans. The entire MUSS will Throw up a U and go silent while the Utes shoot free throws. It involves forming a U with each thumb and forefinger, and pointing it towards the sky. The MUSS currently sponsors fan clubs for the Utah football, men s basketball, volleyball and gymnastics teams. The football team began sporting a MUSS decal on the back of its helmets in UTAH MAN FIGHT SONG VERSE I am a Utah man, sir, and I live across the green. Our gang, it is the jolliest that you have ever seen. Our coeds are the fairest and each one s a shining star. Our yell, you hear it ringing through the mountains near and far. CHORUS Who am I, sir? A Utah Man am I. A Utah Man, sir, and will be til I die; Ki-yi! We re up to snuff; we never bluff, we re game for any fuss. No other gang of college men dare meet us in the muss. So fill your lungs and sing it out and shout it to the sky, we ll fight for dear old Crimson, for a Utah Man am I. VERSE And when we prom the avenue, all lined up in a row, and arm in arm and step in time as down the street we go. No matter if a freshman green or in a senior s gown, the people all admit we are the warmest gang in town. CHORUS (same) VERSE We may not live forever on this jolly good old sphere, but while we do we ll live a life of merriment and cheer. And when our college days are o er and night is drawing nigh, with parting breath we ll sing that song: A Utah Man Am I. Go Utes! W W W. U T A H U T E S. C O M 13

6 U TA H ME N S BA S K E T BAL L T H I S I S U TA H The Dee Glen Smith Center houses the Alex Smith Strength and Conditioning Center (left). Strength and Conditioning Principles of the Program Strength Training The idea is centered on accelerating quicker than our opponent. We will do this by concentrating on quick and explosive lifts, combined with quick and explosive agility, sprint and plyometric drills. Speed Development Each running session will include acceleration drills more than any other drills. The most important aspect of speed development is the athlete must work at maximal effort in each and every drill. Flexibility It is a traditional part of every strength and conditioning program. When the athlete is not able to put a body joint through the proper range of motion, it can affect performance in various ways. Mental Toughness These weight training or conditioning sessions push the body way beyond comfort levels, and in some cases, to utter exhaustion. This allows the student-athlete to develop capacity to push through barriers created by pain and fatigue. Conditioning Conditioning is best obtained by working the energy system with volume. Conditioning should be cycled with light, medium and heavy days to avoid over-training. Recovery is often better than work. Injury Prevention The Utah athlete will be expected to work harder than anyone else when he/she is injured. We will work with the athletic training staff to coordinate efforts to bring the athlete back to the playing field as quickly as possible. Motivating We will coach in a very positive manner, always reinforcing our belief in an athlete as a champion in the making. No one out-works, out-hustles or has more ability than a Utah student-athlete. M E D I A G U I D E

7 T H I S I S U TA H UTAH M EN S BASKE TBA LL Alex Smith Strength and Conditioning Center Facility Facts Opened: July 6, 2009 Cost: $1.5 million Funding: Private Lead Gift: $500,000 pledged on Feb. 12, 2007 by Ute Heisman Trophy finalist and 2005 NFL No. 1 Draft pick Alex Smith Size: At 17,000 square feet, it is one of the largest college strength & conditioning facilities in the nation Director: Doug Elisaia, Director of Strength & Conditioning W W W. U T A H U T E S. C O M 15

8 UTAH MEN S BASKETBALL T H I S I S U T A H Academics The Kenneth P. Burbidge Jr. Family Athletics Academic Center, which opened in May of 2001, is a national-class academic facility. Reserved for Utah s varsity student-athletes, the Burbidge Center is known for its aesthetics, technology offerings and academic service. Burbidge Family Academic Center 11,000 square feet Computer Lab Student-Athlete Lounge Conference room Life Skills/ Career Resource Center Tutoring Rooms Study Table Academic Advising Offices Compliance Department The 11,000-square-foot facility is a campus landmark by virtue of its twostory, floor-to-ceiling curved glass wall. Its location is ideal for the population it serves: situated between the HPER complex and the Huntsman Center, the Burbidge Center is central to classrooms and athletic venues. The full-service academic facility is utilized by all 18 varsity Utah athletic teams and was underwritten by a generous $2 million gift from the Kenneth P. Burbidge Jr. family. The center consolidates Utah s athletic-academic efforts via computer labs, study space and academic counseling, while also providing a social gathering place for the student-athletes. Housed in the building are the academic services, compliance and nutrition departments, and the award-winning NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills program. The mission of the Burbidge Family Athletics Academic Center is to provide an integrated learning environment that will enhance the academic and personal development of all student-athletes. The objective is to accommodate the diverse needs and schedules of Utah s student-athletes through a wide range of individual and group support services, computer technologies and independent study opportunities M E D I A G U I D E

9 T H I S I S U T A H UTAH MEN S BASKETBALL Academic Advisor Al Reiser (left), is the primary individual overseeing the basketball team s academic success. Academics Excellence at the U. Research A Research I university, Utah was ranked as the 16th-best Public University by Forbes Magazine in The U. is particularly renowned in medicine, genetics and engineering. Geneticist Mario R. Capecchi received the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology/ Medicine for his work on gene targeting. Grants One of the leading universities in the nation in federal research grants, the U. attracted $376.7 million in research funding in Entrepreneurs The University of Utah ranks second in the nation to MIT in university startup companies based on scholarly research. Academic All-Americans Utah has produced 17 football Academic All- Americans, including the 2005 NFL No. 1 draft pick Alex Smith. Wired in Utah ranks among the Most Wired Schools in the nation. Student-athletes have their own computer lab in the Burbidge Athletics Academic Center. Support for Student-Athletes Study Table Available to all student-athletes. Tutors Individual tutors and exam reviews. Life Skills Center Student-athletes receive training in personal development, community service and career planning. Internships Partnering with U. offers career mentoring, shadowing and internships with area businesses. Fifth-Year Senior Program Financial aid for student-athletes to finish coursework in their fifth year. Summer School An option for student-athletes who meet the criteria. Priority Registration Enables student-athletes to schedule classes around practices and training. America s Best Public Colleges According to Forbes Magazine 1. U.S. Military Academy 2. Air Force 3. Navy 4. William & Mary 5. New College of Florida 6. Virginia 7 North Carolina 8 California 9. UCLA 10. Virginia Military Institute 11. St. Mary s College (Md.) 12. U.S. Coast Guard Academy 13. Mary Washington 14. Illinois 15. UC-San Diego 16. Utah 17. Wyoming 18. UC-Irvine 19. Texas 20. Washington 21. Florida 22. Colorado 23. Texas A&M 24. Utah State 25. New Mexico State Released in 2009 W W W. U T A H U T E S. C O M 17

10 U TA H ME N S BA S K E T BAL L T H I S I S U TA H Jon M. Huntsman Center Since the doors to the Jon M. Huntsman Center opened in 1969, basketball fans have poured them to support the Runnin Utes. The largest permanent home arena in the Pac-12 Conference, the Huntsman Center is an intimidating place when it s full and rocking. Jon M. Huntsman Center Top Crowds Opponent Date Attendance 1. Brigham Young Feb. 27, , Brigham Young Jan. 8, , UTEP Feb. 21, , Brigham Young Jan. 12, , Brigham Young Feb. 10, , North Carolina Mar. 19, , Wyoming Feb. 22, , New Mexico Feb. 3, , Brigham Young Mar. 4, , Brigham Young Mar. 7, , Brigham Young Feb. 16, , New Mexico Feb. 1, , Wyoming Jan. 17, , San Diego State Feb. 17, , Brigham Young Feb. 24, ,373 The Huntsman Center is a great place to watch college basketball, period. More than six million fans have cheered on the Utes in the Huntsman Center since the building opened in November of 1969 and eight of the top 10 yearly attendance marks in the building s history have come since Playing in the Huntsman Center is definitely an advantage for the Utes, who hold a (.808) all-time record in the facility. Utah has gone unbeaten eight times in the Huntsman Center s 42-year history. Entering the season, the Utes have posted a winning record at home in 37 consecutive seasons. Utah is one of the nation s most dominant teams in conference home games the past 17 years with an.813 winning percentage (117-27). Long recognized as a site of championships, the Huntsman Center played host to the 1979 NCAA Basketball Championship Dream Match-Up M E D I A G U I D E featuring Indiana State s Larry Bird and Michigan State s Magic Johnson deemed one of the most successful Final Fours ever held. The men s NCAA regional tournament received a Huntsman Center booking in 1971 and 81, and the NCAA first and second rounds took place in the arena in 1984, 85, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 93, 95, 97, 2000, 03 and 06. The JMHC is in second place among the nation s arenas for most NCAA Tournament basketball games hosted, with 81 contests having been played in the facility. Huntsman Center Facts Arena Opened: November, 1969 First Game: Utah defeated Stanford, 96-94, on Dec. 1, 1969 Capacity: 15,000 (all chairback seats) Utah s All-Time Record: (.808) Utah s Conference Record: (.777)