What drives someone with ties to both BYU and Boise St to become a Ute??

[UTE98]

I may just be one of the weirdest origin stories for a Utah fan.

I grew up in Boise Idaho, only a few blocks from BSU. I attended more football games there in my youth than I have Utah football games. I used to sell coke/popcorn/hot dogs to make a few extra bucks. My little league baseball coach played for BSU then the Pittsburgh Steelers. (I’m still a huge Pittsburgh sports fan, Pens, Bucs, Steelers) Then I left home and ended up in Utah… Provo, Utah. My two best friends growing up both went to BYU, I remember my best friend’s dad going to the Stake Center to watch BYU football on their satellite when we were in High School.

So then I end up in Provo, working and going to BYU part-time for a year. I was at the #1 Miami against BYU game the year Ty Detmer won the Heisman. In fact I had student tickets a couple years. I’ve only had season tickets one year at Utah. So what happened? I got fed up with the attitude of some of the students/fans. I felt they were very judgmental and since I didn’t have a lifelong affiliation I was seduced by the Maji. One of my cool roommates loved basketball and we watched Utah against UNLV in March Madness. I loved Majerus, I loved the idea of not being judged for who I was. I lived in Provo for five or six more years before I attended the U. I transferred to UVSC (UVU) finished my associates and then transferred to the U. Why did it take me so long to finish my degree? I joined the Utah National Guard and took some time off from school to travel the world with the Army.

While there were many I’ll only share two stories which illustrate my loathing for TSPP fans. First my best friend’s older brother. He did not go on a mission because he couldn’t keep his pecker in his pants. Then a couple years later had the audacity to criticize me for something saying “That’s what you get for not getting your Eagle Scout.” EXCUSE ME! And here’s a bombshell!!! I was also roommates with one of the Cougar Board moderators. Not going to spill too many details, but let’s just say he also turned me to the dark side with his actions.

So in about 1992 I’d made my transition. Even though I lived in Provo until 1997. I loved being a devil in the holier than thou Provo. So I transferred to the U and completed my Jr/Sr year graduating in 1998. Yes in only four quarters, I took a very heavy load.

The 1998 loss to BSU which in retrospect was very much like the 95 yard 4th quarter drive we just saw this last weekend. I remember seeing a PE teacher from my Jr. High at that game, that was the year I had season tickets. That game ended my affinity for BSU. So much so that when I lived in Virginia I went to the BSu-VT game at FedEx field with a VT shirt and my friend who graduated from VT. My father, brother and sister all graduated from BSU. And in true brotherly fashion my brother called right after BSU won and let me have it. BSU is stolen valor in my opinion, claiming all the achievements Utah did first.

I’ve never attended a TSPP game outside those couple years, save that 1998 game. Man that was not a good year with losses to both in the same season. In Virginia I was friends with ARod’s HS friend and loved the insider information. I’ve been to Utah games in North Carolina, Louisville, Michigan, and Notre Dame. Sadly I moved to Colorado before the game at Pitt.

So how did I end up a Utah fan? I guess I’m just a contrarian and don’t like being judged, so I rebelled.

GO UTES!!!!

[UtahMan98]

That’s honestly a fascinating story. Glad you ended up on the dark side! GO UTES!

[The Miami Ute]

Someday I’ll post my Ute origin here. I still sometimes shake my head at how I ended up here. Truly the “Accidental Ute.”

[RoboUte]

Winding and rich story. Mines much less interesting I’d have to think. But I’m a native Utahn and much like you, my time in Utah and my proximity to the devout themselves ensured with extreme certainty that BYU and I had no future together. Eventually I chased a dream to SLC and attended the U. If I lived my life out 10,000 times there’s no version of events that bring me to BYU.

[Tony (admin)]

Thanks for sharing. Good stuff.

[Author]

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