Athletics Department News
In Memoriam
Women’s Football Clinic Coming May 12
Don Reddish Swimming & Diving Head Coach/Administrator
Reddish coached the Utes to 19 conference championships, winning titles in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and he added one more in his final season in 1989-90. Under his watch, 27 Utah swimmers achieved All-American status and Reddish also compiled a dual meet record of 267- 84-6, a win percentage of .701. He was recognized as conference coach of the year six times and NCAA region coach of the year three times. The pool in the Utes’ home facility, the Ute Natatorium, was named in his honor in 2018. The honor was particularly special considering the natatorium was initially envisioned by Reddish and was built during his coaching tenure. His name is also on the annual award given to the athletic department’s most outstanding coach in a sport other than football, basketball and gymnastics. In 1990 he continued to serve as an assistant athletics director for several more years. Utah’s student newspaper, the Daily Utah Chronicle. Facer ascended the ranks to become sports editor and then editor-in-chief at The Chrony. Following graduation, he worked as the sports editor at the Davis County Clipper before being hired as a prep sports editor at the Deseret News. Dirk is best known for his reporting on football and basketball at the University of Utah, a beat he covered for nearly two decades. He was also the leader writer for the Utah Athletics Department’s content series celebrating 50th anniversary of Title IX during the summer of 2022. Apart from his accomplishments in his profession, which included winning Utah Sportswriter of the Year five times, Facer was a tireless volunteer and supporter of his family’s interests. Dirk is survived by his wife, Kirsten, children, Austin and Sammy (Nick), and grandson, Kevin.
The Utah football staff is hosting a Women’s Clinic on Friday, May 12. It will be a great opportunity for women all over the state to learn the dynamics of football and experience the culture of the program. The clinic itinerary includes presentations from the coaching staff, a player panel, photo opportunity in Utah football gear, facility tour, silent auction
and giveaways. There are optional on-field football drills and activities, including a flag football game. Additionally, participants will receive a Women’s Clinic t-shirt, swag bag and a sit-down dinner in the dining hall.
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UtahUtes.com Feature
Don Reddish, who coached the Utes’ swimming and diving program from 1949-1990, and was inducted into the Utah Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on March 11. Reddish became head coach of the Utah swimming and diving program in 1949 and spent 37 years guiding the Utes’ program.
1998 Final Four Season - An Oral History
Dirk Facer Sportswriter
The 1997-98 University of Utah Men’s basketball team was, in many ways, the pinnacle of basketball here at the U. Sure, the team didn’t end up winning a ring but their run through the Final Four and into the national championship game is still legendary. For those who remember that season it was a magical time to be a fan of the Runnin’ Utes. Just hearing the names - Andre, Doleac, Hanno and Britton, Hansen and Alex - conjures fond memories. We still celebrate that
season and what it meant to so many people. Yes, they fell short. We all know that. But it doesn’t diminish what they accomplished and how they were able to come together as a team. What was it like playing for the legend, Rick Majerus? How did they balance being students and high level athletes? Are they still friends to this day? Now, 25 years later there’s no better group to reminisce about that amazing season than the players who lived it.
Dirk Facer, a U graduate who spent over a quarter century as one of the area’s most respected and beloved sports writers, passed away from an accidental fall and complications related to kidney disease on March 15. After graduating from East High School in 1982 and returning from a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Canada Calgary Mission in 1985, Facer was encouraged by friends to pursue sports writing at the University of
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CRIMSON CLUB MAGAZINE APRIL 2023
CRIMSON CLUB MAGAZINE APRIL 2023
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