April 13, 2004 — The second annual Ute football Red-White game will be held Saturday, Apr. 17 from 12:15-3 p.m. in Rice-Eccles Stadium, but most of the buzz on campus is over the festivities surrounding the game. New this year are many activities designed to heighten student interest in the team.
During halftime of the Spring Game, “Utah Man” contestants will be introduced and a new tradition officially gets underway. The winner of the annual strength and skills tests, chosen from the student body, will play on the kick-off coverage team and will wear, with pride, the “Utah Man” jersey. He will be a uniting force for the University of Utah and a daily reminder that with hard work and dedication anything in life is possible.
The pre-game fun begins at 8:00 a.m. with a coaching clinic for high school coaches.
At 9:30 a.m., students, fans, players and coaches are invited to energize for the day’s events at the Red-White pancake breakfast sponsored by Lions Club of Holladay/Millcreek. The breakfast is open to anyone for a two-dollar admission. University of Utah students get in free with a valid U of U I.D. card.
Immediately before the spring game begins, students will square off in the Muss Flag Football Game from 11:00 a.m. to noon. The game will pit students in the Muss fan club against each other. Ute Defensive Coordinator Kyle Whittingham will coach one of the teams and Offensive Coordinator Mike Sanford will tutor the other squad. The Muss teams will be selected at Dee Glen Smith Center during an official player draft to be held Wednesday, April 14, at 4:30 p.m. A full practice will follow with each team running real plays used by the Ute football team.
The public is invited free of charge to the Spring Game, which will signal the end to spring camp. Receivers Coach Billy Gonzales will coach the Red team and Linebackers Coach Kurt Barber will coach the White team. Pre-game tailgating is encouraged and space for tailgaters will be designated in the west lot adjacent to Rice-Eccles Stadium. Following the game, fans will have the opportunity to collect autographs from the players.
Spring Game Timeline
8 a.m. – 11:00 a.m – Coach’s clinic in the stadium
9:30 – Pancake breakfast in the west parking lot
11:00 – The Muss Flag Football game begins
12:00 – Flag Football game concludes
12:15 – Utah Spring Game begins
1:30 – Halftime – Punt, Pass, Kick Promo
1:45 – Begin Second Half
3:00 – End of Spring Game/Autographs/Meet the team on field