We hope you enjoy the August issue of the Crimson Club Magazine as we begin the 2023-24 athletics year. The U announced on August 4 that it will join the Big 12 Conference next summer. We have a story about the Utes’ move to their new league home and an archive of Utah’s official announcement press conference. Courtney Brown of the women’s soccer team tells us about some unfinished business for her super senior year. We also look back at the Crimson Club Champions Alliance kickoff event and look ahead to our Week of Gratitude, which culminates with Fan Fest on August 19.
M A G A Z I
N E
UTAH JOINING THE BIG 12 CONFERENCE IN 2024!
AUGUST 2023
Crimson Club Staff
From Our Athletics Director
Rob Clark, Ph.D. Associate A.D. for Development Sean Farrell Associate A.D. for Sales and Development Gavin Van Wagoner Assistant A.D. for NIL and Major Gifts Jared Heldt Director of Major Gifts Mike Lageschulte Director of Annual Giving Darrell Peters Senior Development Officer Brooke Abel Assistant Director of Major Gifts Ari Davis Assistant Director of Annual Giving Anacelic Fernandez Financial Coordinator Lauren Mayeda Assistant Director for Hospitality & Events Corey Bond Development Officer Garrett Dziedzic Development Officer Sophie Tarchione Development Officer
Loyal Crimson Club Members, I hope all of you have enjoyed a wonderful summer. I trust that you, just like me, feel a strong sense of anticipation for the start of a new athletics year when the calendar flips to August. That time is here, and we will soon come together to cheer on the Utes once again! We have tremendous momentum coming off a year of historic accomplishments that included seven teams winning conference championships and eight teams
competing in the postseason. Our focus is on continuing to equip our student- athletes, coaches and staff to climb even higher and provide our great fans and donors more unforgettable memories in 2023-24. We also know we are embarking on a year of great change amidst tremendous disruption in college athletics. We recently announced that the University of Utah will join the Big 12 Conference in 2024, following a lengthy and thoughtful process to ensure that Utah Athletics would have the stability and resources to continue to provide a world-class experience for our student- athletes. I’m grateful for the leadership of President Taylor Randall and our Board of Trustees throughout the process as we worked closely together to identify our best path, and I’m excited for our future in the Big 12. Like you, we are appreciative of the 12-year membership we have enjoyed in the Pac-12 Conference, and will forever be grateful for the transformative effect it has had on the growth of our university and our athletics programs. We are grateful that the Big 12 Conference and Commissioner Brett Yormark have welcomed us into their growing conference. It is a progressive league full of tremendous academic institutions, storied athletic programs and passionate fans, with a vision for a bold future. We are excited to join the Big 12 and begin new traditions in 2024! Before that time comes, though, we have a great deal to accomplish in our final year as members of the Pac-12. This is an incredibly exciting time for Utah Athletics, with championship programs poised to raise the bar even higher. We can feel the excitement building, and we want you to join us in making this an unforgettable year. The University of Utah is a special place, and I want to thank all of you, our dedicated Crimson Club members, for the way you support our student-athletes and our programs, and share in their success. GO UTES!!
Mailing Address Crimson Club Jon M. Huntsman Center 1825 E. South Campus Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84112 Phone 801-585-8837 Email crimsonclub@huntsman.utah.edu Online www.UtahCrimsonClub.com
The Crimson Club Magazine is produced monthly by the University of Utah Athletics Department.
© 2023 University of Utah Athletics
Mark Harlan Athletics Director
AUGUST 2023
M A G A Z I N E
9 Crimson Club
2 Big 12 Conference
Week of Gratitude We show appreciation for our members August 14-19
Welcomes Utah in 2024 Utes set to join 16-team league with three from Pac-12
6 Champions Alliance Kickoff Family BBQ and football practice highlighted event
12 Reaping the Rewards of a Bonus Year Soccer player Courtney Brown spotlighted
Contents Fan Fest Coming Up August 19
4 8 9
New Crimson Club Staff
Football Tailgate and Ticketing Info Football Preseason Watch Lists
14
Sports Updates
15-16
Plourde Runs for Team Canada
16 17
Bill Bean Memorial Fund
Crimson Club Staff & Benefits
18-19
Athletics Department News
Big 12 Conference Welcomes Utah in 2024! Utes set to join 16-team league a year from now with Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado from the Pac-12 Conference
The University of Utah’s Board of Trustees met on August 4 and voted unanimously to grant approval for President Dr. Taylor Randall to accept an invitation for the University of Utah to become a member the Big 12 Conference, effective for the 2024-25 academic year. Fellow current Pac-12 Conference members Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado have agreed to join the Big 12 Conference with Utah. They have combined for 95 NCAA championships during their history, including 25 by Utah. All four institutions are members of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The Big 12 enters its 29th year as one of the nation’s premier athletic conferences under the direction of Commissioner Brett Yormark. The Big 12 headquarters are located in Irving, Texas. The Big 12 Conference was founded in February 1994. All eight members of the former Big Eight Conference joined with four members of the former Southwest Conference to form the league, with play beginning in 1996. The newest version of the league will have 16 members for 2024-25.
Arizona State is important to our mission and makes sense, as does, renewing our historic in- state rivalry with Brigham Young University. “Being part of the Pac-12 has elevated the University of Utah and demonstrated our student-athletes can compete at the highest levels on and off the field, our move to the Big 12 will not change that position. I want to be clear that our focus and mission is to provide world-class education, research, service, and patient care. Joining the Big 12 accelerates our progress in all four areas. We are making this change because it helps us on our path to become a top 10 public university with unsurpassed societal impact.
Statement from Dr. Taylor Randall, U President “I am grateful for all of the hard work my Pac-12 Conference colleagues invested in an effort to find solutions to keep the conference whole and provide a pathway forward to benefit all of our students, fans and communities. Ultimately, stronger forces within national collegiate athletics and the greater media landscape brought us to [that] decision. I am hopeful the relationships we have made over the past 12 years within the Pac- 12 remain strong. “I am very enthusiastic about the University of Utah’s future within the Big 12. Joining our Pac-12 and Association of American Universities peers from Colorado, Arizona and
WATCH
President Taylor Randall and athletics director Mark Harlan held a press conference to discuss Utah’s move to the Big 12 Conference on August 7.
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Athletics Department News
Big 12 Snapshot
2024-25 Members Arizona Arizona State Baylor BYU Cincinnati Colorado Houston Iowa State Kansas Kansas State Oklahoma State TCU Texas Tech UCF Utah West Virginia Sponsors 23 Sports
The Dr. Pepper Big 12 Football Championship will continue to be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas through 2030.
“As an alum and a passionate fan of the U, I remain committed to our student-athletes, our coaches, and athletics staff to provide them opportunities to be successful and to drive our national reputation. This move will allow us to continue along an upwards trajectory. Statement from Mark Harlan, Director of Athletics “President Randall and I, along with the executive committee of the Board of Trustees, have been fully engaged in pursuing the best possible path for the University of Utah and our athletics programs to excel. After very thorough and comprehensive efforts to preserve our present conference affiliation in the aftermath of the announced departures of UCLA and USC last year, we have explored all options and have determined that the right path for Utah to continue to build on its tremendous growth trajectory is to accept
an invitation to join the Big 12 Conference. “We are appreciative of Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark, his leadership team and the conference membership for extending this invitation. The enormous weight of a move of this magnitude is not lost on any of us. We have great appreciation for our partnership with our fellow Pac-12 Conference members, and the relationships we share that transcend competition. “This decision represents the best interests of the University of Utah, our student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni and our tremendous fans, and we look forward to continuing our growth as a member of the Big 12 Conference beginning next year.”
Men’s squads include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field, swimming & diving, tennis and wrestling. Women’s teams are fielded in basketball, cross country, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis and volleyball.
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Athletics Department News
Annual Fan Fest Event Returns to Rice-Eccles Stadium on August 19 Crimson Club Scholarship Circle members are invited to a special program and social event one hour before in the Ken Garff University Club
Volleyball Opens The Day Utah fans are encouraged to begin their Utes celebration with a “first-serve” earlier in the day at the Jon M. Huntsman Center, where the Utah volleyball team will open its 2023 season with an exhibition match against Colorado State. Watch the Utes in action, then cap the night with Fan Fest at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Scholarship Circle Kickoff Crimson Club Scholarship Circle members are invited to an exclusive event beginning at 5 p.m. in the Ken Garff University Club. Members of the Crimson Club leadership team will be on hand to go over this year’s benefits, look ahead to upcoming events, and answer questions. Hors d’oeuvres, light snacks and soft drinks will be provided. A cash bar will be available. Invitations were emailed last Friday. Please call 801-585-8837 if you have any questions.
The annual Utah Athletics Fan Fest returns to Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, August 19 from 6-8 p.m. The free event kicks off the 2023-24 competition year and features activities and interaction with student-athletes and coaches from Utah’s athletics programs. Parking and admission are free. Among the highlights of this year’s Fan Fest are: • Engaging activities with Utah’s athletics teams on the football field. • Open House in the Ken Garff Red Zone, featuring the locker room and VIP areas. • Trophy photo-opportunity in the Julie M. & David S. Layton Field Club, featuring trophies from Utah’s 2022-23 conference and national championships.
• Live interviews with student- athletes and coaches from the Voice of the Utes, ESPN 700 & 92.1’s Bill Riley. • Performances by Utah’s spirit team and marching band. • Games, activities, giveaway items, videoboard programming and more. Utah Utes merchandise will be available for purchase at the stadium Utah Red Zone locations and other points of sale. Concession stands and food trucks will be open at various locations. Fans may park in the west parking lot for free, and the entrance for the event will be through Gates A and D on the West and Southwest perimeter of Rice-Eccles Stadium.
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CRIMSON CLUB MAGAZINE AUGUST 2023
Download the Utah Tickets
Download the Utah Tickets App to maximize your Crimson Club Membership.
In addition to accessing your digital tickets and parking passes, you can opt in to receive insider news and alerts on the latest developments within Utah Athletics and opportunties for unique experiences and impactful giving.
If you have any questions or issues managing your tickets please call/text the Utah Ticket Office (801) 581-8849.
Utah Tickets App - Apple Device
Utah Tickets App - Android Device
How to Access Your Crimson Club Membership Card
1. Open Utah Tickets App 2. Crimson Club Member 3. Tap Membership 4. Present your moblie device to receive membership perks
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CRIMSON CLUB MAGAZINE AUGUST 2023
Crimson Club Updates
Crimson Club Champions Alliance Provides Next-Level Donor Experience Family BBQ and football practice viewing provided the launch event on August 5
above Crimson Club required contributions for season tickets. “We are grateful for the tremendous support that allows us to promote a culture of excellence and provide the most impactful experience for our student-athletes,” said Mark Harlan, Director of Athletics. “With the introduction of the Champions Alliance we are now able to engage in new and meaningful ways with those members to provide unique experiences that build deeper relationships and significantly enhance the services we offer to our student-athletes.” Champions Alliance members will have elite access and benefits not available to the general Crimson Club membership. Such benefits
The University of Utah Athletics Department has launched the Crimson Club Champions Alliance, a philanthropic membership society that provides unmatched access to Utah Athletics for the department’s most loyal and financially-committed investors. Together, Champions Alliance members support Utah Athletics’ ability to provide a world-class experience for student-athletes in scholarships, facilities, academic support, sports medicine, psychology and wellness, nutrition and sports performance services, which enhance the ability to attract and retain elite-level talent.
The Champions Alliance consists of membership for a five-year period for Utah alumni and friends who commit to a gift of $100,000 or more for any area of Utah’s Athletics Department,
Head football coach Kyle Whittingham provided Champions Alliance members with an insiders look at the 2023 team.
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Crimson Club Updates
Champions Alliance members were invited to watch the Ute football team practice from the sidelines.
include exclusive experiences around Utah Athletics with access to behind-the-scenes events with Utah’s student-athletes, coaches and director of athletics, sideline access, receptions and team practice experiences, team travel, exclusive Utah-branded gear and more. The Crimson Club Scholarship Circle annual giving program will continue. The staff is working to implement feedback that will enhance the experience and provide concierge service to members on the Scholarship Circle levels. Champions Alliance members are also eligible to receive benefits for the Scholarship Circle. “We are thrilled to offer unique and elite experiences with Utah Athletics you can’t get anywhere else for Champions Alliance members,” said Rob Clark, Associate A.D. for Development. “As we move to a bright future, it will take the entire Utah family to continue to
elevate support for our student- athletes.” The first Champions Alliance event took place on August 5. Members and their families were invited to a BBQ and a football practice viewing. They also got a preview of the team from head coach Kyle Whittingham and athletics director Mark Harlan gave some insight on the department and Utah’s move
to the Big 12 Conference. More events are being planned for this fall. For more information regarding the Champions Alliance, please contact Rob Clark at Rob.Clark@utah.edu or visit ChampionsAlliance/ UtahCrimsonClub.com
WEBSITE
Athletics director Mark Harlan shared some insight on Utah’s move to the Big 12 Conference and other department initiatives.
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CRIMSON CLUB MAGAZINE AUGUST 2023
Crimson Club Updates
New Staff Members For Crimson Club Welcome Utah natives Brooke Abel, Ari Davis, Anacelic Fernandez, Lauren Mayeda and Sophie Tarchione
University Advancement. She moved up the ranks in her 14 years with the department to become Manager, where she assisted in gift processing, managing matching gifts and providing knowledge of donation processes. Fernandez was raised in West Jordan, where she still resides. Lauren Mayeda,
Brooke Abel, Assistant Director of Major Gifts
Abel is serving in a dual role with the U. She is responsible for managing the Crimson Club Champions
Alliance as well as athletics engagement for University Advancement. Abel was the Associate Director for the recent Capital Campaign at the U. Abel joined the University Advancement office in 2013 and has served in various roles at the U over the years. Originally from St. George, Abel earned her bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University, where she majored in geography. Ari Davis,
Assistant Director for Hospitality and Events Mayeda was born and raised a Utah fan so she decided to pursue her college degree at the University of
Utah. She graduated in May with her bachelor’s of science degree in marketing from the David Eccles School of Business. Mayeda started working in this role in June but previously interned for the Crimson Club from March 2022 until May 2023. She was as also an intern with the Utah Athletics social media team from July 2022 until May 2023. She graduated from Highland High School in 2019. Sophie Tarchione, Development Officer Tarchione was promoted
Assistant Director of Annual Giving
Davis is returning home to Salt Lake City and will be part of the Crimson Club’s concierge service program,
and oversee the Varsity Club. She spent the past two years at the University of Houston, In 2022-23, she served as the Assistant Athletics Director of Strategic Communications, handling media relations for the Cougars football and baseball teams. Davis graduated from Brigham Young University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in public relations. Her late grandfather, Arnie Ferrin, was an All-American for the Utah basketball team from 1944-48 and Athletics Director from 1975-85.
after working with Utah Athletics as a successful Ticketing and Fundraising Specialist beginning in May.
Before then, she worked part-time in marketing and game day experience with the Utah Jazz, Utah Grizzlies and Salt Lake Bees. A native of Twin Falls, Idaho, Tarchione graduated from the University of Utah May 2023 with a degree in strategic communications.
Anacelic Fernandez, Financial Coordinator
Fernandez brings with her vast knowledge of all things data entry and gift processing. Fernandez came to the U in 2008 as a gift processor in
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CRIMSON CLUB MAGAZINE AUGUST 2023
Crimson Club Updates
Week of Gratitude Takes Place August 14-19 Coaches and student-athletes show their appreciation for our Crimson Club members, donor spotlights and special deals from our community partners and the Red Zone in store
• We will spotlight some of our Crimson Club members, allowing them to share their experiences as loyal Ute fans. • Our community business partners, including the Utah Red Zone, are offering exclusive deals for Crimson Club members during the week. The deals are redeemable by showing your digital membership card in the Utah Tickets app. • An email with video messages will be sent to our Crimson Club members each day throughout the week. We will also share our feature stories on our Crimson Club social media outlets. Be sure to look out for details on the Crimson Club member exclusive deals via text messaging. Our Week of Gratitude culminates with Fan Fest on Saturday, August 19 from 6-8 p.m. at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The event is free to the public.
The Crimson Club is celebrating its annual Week of Gratitude from August 14-19, showing appreciation for our members’ support over the past year. Here are some highlights of what we have planned. • The week-long celebration includes a video series with our coaches and student-athletes talking about the impact of our Crimson Club members, who help fund scholarships and provide additional financial resources to support our programs.
Football Tailgate and Ticketing Information
As we get ready for another Utah Athletics year, we want to make our Crimson Club members aware of some important dates and details. For assistance, please contact your Concierge Representative Crimson Club Tailgate There will be an exclusive tailgate for Crimson Club members in levels 6 and above for every home game in the Smith’s tailgate plaza, located on the southwest corner of 500 South and Guardsman Way. The tailgate opens three hours prior to kickoff. Details on how to purchase tickets will be emailed to our members soon.
Tickets & Parking Football tickets and parking passes have been uploaded into your Utah Tickets account and are accessible through the mobile app and online. • Additional parking passes are available with limited inventory throughout campus. • Additional home single-game tickets are available now with limited availability for certain games. • Away game tickets will be available for purchase the week of August 21.
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REAPING THE REWARDS OF A BONUS YEAR
Senior midfielder Courtney Brown played on Utah soccer’s last NCAA Tournament team in 2019, and she has her sights on leading the Utes back before her career comes to a close in her super senior year.
STORY BY MIKE LAGESCHULTE PHOTO BY HUNTER DYKE
Student-Athlete Profile
Courtney Brown - Women’s Soccer
As a freshman on the Utah women’s soccer team in 2019, Courtney Brown helped lead the Utes to the first round of the NCAA Tournament. A lot has happened in her life since then. She navigated the COVID-19 era as a student- athlete, went through a coaching change, got married, and earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting. That’s a pretty good list of accomplishments to check off. However, Brown has two more goals she wants to achieve before she leaves campus in five months: Earn her master’s degree in accounting and get the Utes back to the post-season. “We expect to be a very good team this year,” Brown said. “We only loose a couple of players who started for us last year and we added a lot of very talented freshmen. We have talked a lot about getting to the NCAA Tournament. But we have our sights set on more than that. We want to the be the best team Utah’s ever had. The Utes had a run to the Sweet 16 in 2016 and that’s the best our program has ever done. That’s where we want to get and maybe beyond this year.” A Utah native who grew up in West Haven, the former Courtney Talbot was very familiar with Utah’s program
Courtney Brown has been a starter since her freshman year in 2018 when Utah reached the NCAA Tournament.
when she was looking into colleges. Her father, who earned his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Colorado State, went to BYU for his undergraduate degree. Courtney was planning to do the same. However, she changed her mind as she neared the end of the recruiting process. “All along through high school, my plan was to go to BYU. But when I went to the campus for my last visit it just didn’t feel right,” Brown recalled. “I just felt so much more at ease at Utah. Rich Manning was the head coach. Scott Halaz, who is still with us as assistant coach, was on the staff then as well. It just clicked for me with the
coaches. I loved the feel of the campus. So, I decided to come here.” The midfielder earned a major role with the team in year one as Brown started 17 games and logged the most minutes of any freshman on the team. The Utes won eight games with four draws and earned the opportunity to play No. 12 Duke in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. With a 2020 fall season that was moved to the spring of 2021 due to COVID-19 and a downward turn in the program that led to a coaching change, things were a bit tumultuous for Brown during that stretch. But she quickly embraced what
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Student-Athlete Profile
new head coach Hideki Nakada wanted to do with the program heading into the 2021 season. “Rich and Hideki have very different styles,” Brown explained. “But Scott Halaz staying on really helped the transition for me and a lot of the rest of the team. Once we got through that process I have really enjoyed Hideki’s style of play. We play with much more forwardness and we are very aggressive.” Brown started all 36 games in 2020 and 2021, leading the team in points both seasons. She was second in points while making 17 starts last season. During her career, she had contributed 11 goals and 33 points. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting last December and elected to take advantage of her super senior year that was granted to college student-athletes due COVID-19. She is on track to earn a master’s in accounting this December. “I am beyond grateful for being on scholarship here,” Brown said. “There’s not a lot of time outside of my athletics commitments and classes to get a job. Without, my scholarship, I couldn’t have done all of this. There are so many great things about getting to play college athletics at the Division I level. I’ve had a great career and a tremendous experience. And because of my extra year, now I can leave here with my master’s degree, which will get me ready to take the CPA exam.”
Contributions from Crimson Club members not only cover scholarships, but they have also funded student-athlete facilities like the Burbidge Family Athletics Academic Center and the Sorenson High Performance Center. “I have never heard friends at other schools say the things that I say about our facilities and our support staff. Having the ability to train, get strong and prevent injuries is so critical to your body. We also have a great sports medicine facility to help you heal. Our trainer Tom Iriye and our strength coach Cody Lockling are absolutely the best. And I have spent so many hours in the Burbidge Center. It is so close to everything. It’s a great place to go during the day and focus on school work and watch my lecture videos.”
Brown will declare for the women’s professional draft in 2024 and see what opportunities are there. Once she is through playing soccer, she plans to move into the business world and become a CFO. “Utah has put me in position to make it all possible,” Brown said. Before then, she is excited to get her final year of collegiate soccer underway. “This is close-knit group that is more intimate than other years,” Brown explained. “We have a strong senior class with a lot of personality that is really driving the boat. We have leaders who can direct and drive things on our own without the coaches having to force it. Everyone seems ready to make this the best year our program has ever had.”
Courtney Brown scored three goals and had three assists last season, ranking second on the team with nine points.
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Sports Updates
Football Preseason Awards and Watch Lists Utah football is closing in on its season opener in Rice-Eccles Stadium against the Florida Gators on Thursday, August 31 at 6 p.m. MT on ESPN. The game against the Gators will be a Red Out with fans encouraged to wear red.
Here is a rundown of the Utes who have earned preseason awards and been named to watch lists.
Lombardi Award Watch List Junior Tafuna, DT Manning Award Watch List Cameron Rising, QB Jim Thorpe Award Watch List Cole Bishop, S Butkus Award Watch List Karene Reid, LB Davey O’Brien Award Watch List Cameron Rising, QB John Mackey Award Watch List Brant Kuithe, TE Thomas Yassmin, TE Paul Hornung Award Watch List Brant Kuithe, TE Outland Trophy Watch List Keaton Bills, OL
Pac-12 Preseason All-Conference Keaton Bills, OL (1st Team) Cole Bishop, S (1st Team) Brant Kuithe, TE (1st Team) Sataoa Laumea, OL (1st Team)
Karene Reid, LB (1st Team) Junior Tafuna, DT (1st Team) Lander Barton, LB (2nd Team) Van Fillinger, DE (2nd Team) JaTravis Broughton, CB (Honorable Mention) Jonah Elliss, DE (Honorable Mention) Michael Mokofisi, OL (Honorable Mention) Zemaiah Vaughn, CB (Honorable Mention) Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List Kyle Whittingham Lott IMPACT Trophy Preseason Watch List Karene Reid, LB Walter Camp Preseason All-America Cole Bishop, S (2nd Team)
Sataoa Laumea, OL Junior Tafuna, DT
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List Cole Bishop, S Junior Tafuna, DT
Maxwell Award Watch List Cameron Rising, QB SIS Preseason All-America Cole Bishop, S
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Sports Updates
Baseball Earns ABCA Excellence Award The Utah baseball program was recognized by the American Baseball Coaches Association with the Team Academic Excellence Award. Presented to the Utes for the second straight season, the honor is given to programs with a team cumulative grade- point average of 3.0 or higher during the preceding school year.
The Utes had a team GPA of 3.295 and were one of five Pac-12 programs to be recognized, alongside Oregon State, Stanford, Washington and Washington State.
Three Utes Sign Pro Baseball Contracts
Three former Utah baseball players have signed professional contracts in recent weeks. Zac McCleve signed with the Tampa Bay Rays organization, joining them as an undrafted free agent after the right-handed submarine pitcher spent 2019-23 with the Utes. Over five seasons, he made 107 appearances, resetting the program record in that category and earning Pac-12 All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2023. His 12 saves are tied for third-most in program history.
The Milwaukee Brewers signed right-handed pitcher Blake Whiting as an undrafted free agent. Whiting spent the 2022 and ‘23 seasons at Utah. In 2023, he made 20 relief appearances and finished with a 2-3 record. Whiting struck out 39 opposing batters in 31 innings pitched. Right-handed pitcher Cam Day signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In his second year with the Utes in 2023, Day made 11 starts and also pitched key relief innings in six other games.
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CRIMSON CLUB MAGAZINE AUGUST 2023
Sports Updates
Plourde to Compete for Team Canada at World Championships
Former Utah track & field All-American Simone Plourde was recently named to the Canadian National Team that will compete at the World Championships in Budapest from August 19-27 at the National Athletics Centre. “It feels surreal to think I’m headed to Worlds for my first-ever national team representing Canada,” Plourde said after she found it. “It’s always been a dream of mine to wear the Canadian uniform but I didn’t expect for it to happen so fast. This will be great experience heading into Paris 2024.” Plourde will take the track for the first time on August 19 in the 1500 meters. “Everyone associated with our program is incredibly proud to have an alum representing us
at the World Athletics Championships for the first time (that I know of),” head coach Kyle Kepler said.
Utah Baseball Alumni Golf Outing September 22
Registration is open for the 2023 Utah Baseball Alumni Golf Outing, set for Friday, September 22 at Old Mill Golf Course. Always a staple during the fall and a great way to reconnect with fellow Utes alumni, families and friends of the baseball program. The shotgun- scramble format begins at 8 a.m., with cart, tournament gift, driving range access all included with registration. Lunch will also be provided. Registration is $125 per player and $500 for a foursome. Hole sponsorship and other tournament
sponsorship opportunities are also available to individuals, families and organizations. Questions about the golf outing can be answered by director of baseball operations Will Heward (wheward@huntsman.utah.edu).
Registration can be completed by clicking here.
REGISTER
Join the Ute Golfers for September 25 Event
The Ute golf team will sponsor an 18-hole event on Monday, September 25 at The Country Club with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Hole sponsorships are $3,000, which includes the cost of a team of three players. A pro will be paired with your group. A threesome will be $2100 with a discounted rate of for Utah alumni. All Ute alums can play for $200 and other individuals can take part for $700. Check-in begins at 12 p.m. at The Country Club.
There will be a box lunch at check in as well as a banquet style dinner with prizes following the round of golf.
Registration can be completed by clicking here.
REGISTER
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In Memoriam
Bill Bean
Athletic Trainer
member of both the Utah Athletic Trainers Associa- tion Hall of Fame and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Training Association Hall of Fame. Prior to his long and distinguished tenure at Utah, Bean served as a U.S. Army medical officer, an assistant athletic trainer at Washington State Uni- versity, and the head trainer for the Utah Stars of the ABA. He also worked as a volunteer on the medical staff for the Olympic Games in Lake Placid (1980) and Salt Lake City (2002). Been earned his bachelor of science degree with a sports medicine concentration from Utah State University in 1971, and received his Master’s de- gree from the University of Utah in 1978. In 1986 he successfully completed an additional bachelor of science degree in physical therapy from the Univer- sity of Utah, where he continued to work as a part- time staff physical therapist within the Orthopedic Center. To honor Bill’s legacy, his family has established a Memorial Fund that will be used to recognize athletic trainers and the work they provide.
Bill Bean, who passed away on June 20, served for more than 30 years with the Utes’ athletic train- ing staff. Bean was the Head Athletic Trainer for the Uni- versity of Utah from 1976-2008, working primarily with the football program. For the entirety of his career he served the student-athletes and student athletic trainers on a daily basis, providing support, encouragement and care for student-athletes while teaching and mentoring student athletic train- ers. Thousands of student-athletes benefited directly from his care, and many student athletic trainers went on to successful careers in health care. He is a
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CRIMSON CLUB MAGAZINE AUGUST 2023
Crimson Club Staff
Sean Farrell Associate A.D. Sales & Development 801-581-8849 sfarrell@huntsman.utah.edu
Gavin Van Wagoner Assistant A.D. NIL and Major Gifts 801-243-3325 gvanwagoner@huntsman.utah.edu
Jared Heldt Director of Major Gifts 801-585-8837 jared.heldt@utah.edu
Mike Lageschulte Director of
Rob Clark, Ph.D. Associate A.D. Development 801-213-4097 rob.clark@utah.edu
Annual Giving 801-557-2322 mlages@huntsman.utah.edu (Levels 7-11 - H-O)
Darrell Peters Senior Development Officer 801-587-9896 dpeters@huntsman.utah.edu (Levels 7-11 - A-G)
Brooke Abel Assistant Director
Ari Davis Assistant Director of Annual Giving 801-581-6183 adavis@huntsman.utah.edu (Levels 7-11 - P-Z)
Anacelic Fernandez Financial Coordinator 801-209-4827 afernandez@huntsman.utah.edu
Lauren Mayeda Assistant Director Events & Hospitality 801-585-3515 lmayeda@huntsman.utah.edu
of Major Gifts 801-581-8519 brooke.abel@utah.edu
Corey Bond Development Officer 801-213-1070 cbond@athletics.utah.edu (Levels 1-11 - A-G)
Garrett Dziedzic Development Officer 801-581-3181 gdziedzic@athletics.utah.edu (Levels 1-11 - H-O)
Sophie Tarchione Development Officer 801-213-2785 starchione@athletics.utah.edu (Levels 1-11 - P-Z)
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CRIMSON CLUB MAGAZINE AUGUST 2023
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