August 21, 2003 — Utah football fans will be celebrating in downtown Salt Lake City even before the Utes’ first home game against Utah State. The U has teamed up with Salt Lake City, the Gallivan Center and The Gateway this year to throw pre-and-post-game tailgate parties downtown.
Mayor Rocky Anderson, who has been working on ways to tie University events into Downtown, is excited by the collaboration between downtown businesses, Salt Lake City, and the University. “These tailgate parties will add a whole new dimension to enjoying Ute games,” said Anderson. “We all want Downtown and the Utes to succeed. These parties are one more way for everyone to get behind the team and for football fans to get behind Downtown. With the TRAX light rail line to take fans to Rice-Eccles Stadium in just minutes, there’s no better place to tailgate than the Gallivan Center or The Gateway.”
The first football bash will be at the Gallivan Center before the home opener against the Aggies on Thursday, August 28. The game kicks-off at 7 p.m. and the party starts at 4:30 p.m. The second downtown football party will follow the football game, because the game against California on Thursday, September 11 starts at an early 5:45 p.m.
Utah Football Downtown Party Schedule
The Gallivan Center will host four (4) University of Utah parties to coincide with the first three home games of the ’03 season, and an extra bonus party during the final game of the year vs. BYU.
- First party: vs. Utah State, 8/28/03, @ 4:30pm, BEFORE the game
- Second party: vs. California, 9/11/03, @ 8:00pm, AFTER the game
- Third party: vs. Oregon, 10/03/03, @ 4:30pm, BEFORE the game
- Bonus party: vs. BYU, 11/22/03, @ time TBA (game is in Provo and will be shown on big screen TV’s
The Gateway will host three (3) University of Utah parties to coincide with the final three home games of the ’03 season.
- Fourth party: vs. San Diego State, 10/11/03, @ time TBA
- Fifth party: vs. New Mexico, 10/25/03, @ time TBA
- Sixth party: vs. Wyoming, 11/15/03, @ time TBA
The first three parties will be held at the Gallivan Center, and because the coinciding home games are during the work-week, fans who have jobs downtown are being encouraged to walk over to the Gallivan Center, kick-back and listen to some great live music. UTA is providing extra TRAX trains to make sure fans get to the game on time. The Utah cheerleaders and Swoop will make an appearance and there will be some free ticket giveaways. Fans can bring in their own coolers or buy food and drink inside. Ute merchandise will also be available for purchase at each party.
The Gateway will host three downtown football parties to coincide with the last home games. They will be in the Olympic Legacy Plaza and will also boast live music, a heavy dose of Utah spirit, and shopping and dining discounts for Ute fans. Once again, after the parties, fans are encouraged to board TRAX trains and head to Rice-Eccles Stadium for the game.
The Gallivan Center will host the final downtown football party of the year. It will be during the BYU game, which is in Provo this year. Big screen TV’s will be set up near the main stage where fans can watch the game together, listen to live music, and cheer the Utes on to victory.