I'd like to take a break from the rivalry talk, OL angst and other minutae to recognize that a great Ute fan was laid to rest today

by wcj99 2012-09-11 14:55:12

If you don't know who John Richard Evans is, you have missed out on one of the great men in the Salt Lake Valley.

Rich was a long-time resident of Murray, owning two businesses, New Concepts Furniture and Take Five Drive-In. Both businesses were located on 5300 South, just east of State Street. He was involved in numerous civic organizations and city commissions.

Rich was also one of the kindest and big-hearted people I ever met. His concern and charity towards his fellow-men was one of his greatest characteristics. The kindness he showed me and my family over the years can never be repaid. He gave me the idea and support to start my business, which is thriving 11 years later. He visited us at Primary Children's when my new-born child was hospitalized. And we know that we are one of of the many beneficiaries of his kindness.

Rich was a long-time season ticket holder and member of the Crimson Club until his declining health prevented him from attending games. Some of the first Utah football games I attended were with Rich and he was a rabid supporter of the Utes. He was the first person I knew who would write on his tithing check that none of the funds were to be used to support BYU. His obituary summed up Rich's love for the Utes with the comment that in lieu of flowers everybody should put $20 on the Utes over BYU.

Rich passed away on Thursday, September 6th and was laid to rest today at the Murray City Cemetery. Everybody who knew Rich (his wife Jan, his kids, grandkids, neighbors and friends) will miss this one of a kind man.

>> View Responses

I am seriously bummed that I can't make it to the BBQ

by wcj99 2012-07-14 11:42:00

but eye surgery tends to keep one indoors in dark rooms for a few days.

>> View Responses

Chris Hill and scheduling

by wcj99 2012-07-11 11:16:27

I have no problem with Hill and the announcement yesterday re TDS and the future of the rivalry. I have completely enjoyed the media and zoob meltdown that this has precipitated.

I also understand Hill's strategy of scheduling OOC games on an A, B, C level. I do have a couple problems with how ABC is implemented.

Schools like Michigan are obviously A-level programs and the idea of playing an A school every year is exciting, especially when you see HH arrangements like the Michigan deal. Please sir may I have another!

Where I have a problem is that he considers TDS an A-level school. By what rational measurement are they an A school? Their 10 win seasons against sub-par competition? Their enormous national following? The influence theye xert on the national landscape of CFB? Sorry, but i just don't get it. As an mid-major independent they would be a solid B school, kind of like Utah State, who Hill apparently puts in that category, but apparently is a team we won't be playing in the future (which saddens me). If he wants to alternate TDS and USU as our B game every year, I could completely support that approach.

I also have a problem with the C-level schools, who are apparently FCS programs. As a season ticket holder, I never want to see another Thursday night FCS game at RES as long as I live. I will still go take my kids to the games and enjoy the gameday experience, but it will be somewhat diminished in my mind due to the FCS nature of the competition. There are enough weak FBS programs (UNLV, New Mexico, the new Texas FBS programs) that we should never lack for an FBS program to play in the C category.

I understand the ABC philosophy, I just don't really care for how it is being implemented.

>> View Responses

Phil Steele has released his most recent bowl projections

by wcj99 2012-07-05 10:02:50

I normally enjoy Steele's analysis and insight into CFB, but looking at the pre-season bowl projections (and yes I understand it is pre-season) I think he must have started smoking crack.

He has the following Pac-12 projections:

USC in Rose Bowl vs Wisconsin
Oregon as BCS at large in Orange Bowl vs South Florida
Stanford as the Pac12 #2 inthe Alamo Bowl vs West Virginia
UCLA as the Pac12 #3 in the Holiday Bowl vs Kansas State
Oregon State as the Pac12 #4 in the Sun Bowk vs NC State
Utah as the Pac12 #5 in the Vegas Bowl vs Boise State
Cal as the Pac12 #6 in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl vs Navy
Washington as the Pac12 #7 in the New Mexico Bowl vs Air Force

And Florida State vs Oklahoma in the BCS Championship Game.

I don't have any problems with USC, Oregon or Stanford, but does anybody really belive that UCLA and Oregon State will finish ahead of Utah, Cal and Washington? And Florida State in the Championship Game? Let's say I have my doubts.

http://www.philsteele.com/bowls/12-13/bow lprojections.html

>> View Responses

I guess there's something I don't understand...

by wcj99 2012-04-16 14:48:57

I've seen it written on this board and heard it from the silly little people down south that a major reason to maintain the Utah-TDS rivalry game is money. I'm sorry, but I'm not buying that argument.

Seriously, what extra revenue is generated for the U? I'll admit that I may be missing something, but I just don't see it.

Look at where the U's revenue comes from.

There is little to nothing in the way of extra TV money for a home game since our home rights are controlled by the Pac-12, and we are already (or soon will be) getting paid big money for that.

If we play in Provostan there would be a negotiated part of the contract that (I'm assuming) would be a portion of the gate/tv money or a flat amount. Unless we ask for a premium, such as Boise State has been asking for in recent years, I don't see how we gain more financially from playing TDS than we do for scheduling an extra sold out home game against any other mid-major.

Based on what I have seen recently I believe that ticket sales for all intents and purposes would be a wash. We have been selling out games and averaging over capacity for at least a couple years, and why would that change (unless the program overall went into a decline like we have seen with basketball).

Are concession sales going to be different for a TDS game vs another opponent? Nope. Will the book store and Red Zone sell more Utah apparel at a TDS game compared to another game. Not unless we start selling that Quest for Perfection or Magic Happens crap that they wear, and that just isn't going to happen.

There may be a lot of reasons to continue the game (andmaybemore to discontinue the series), but please don't use money as part of it. It just doesn't fly.

>> View Responses

Apparently UNLV has officially joined the bricklayers union.

by wcj99 2012-03-15 22:09:46

These guys are shooting worse than we did this year.

At least the PAC-12 will have one team advance in the tourney.

>> View Responses

Apparently Gael is an Irish word that has two meanings

by wcj99 2012-03-13 20:38:36

1. We make 3-pointers

2. Since St. Mary's College are also known as the Gaels, it means "BYU has no chance to beat us"

>> View Responses

Larry K gets a technical....

by wcj99 2012-03-07 23:05:20

From Referee Mike Littlewood, who played and coached baseball at Taylorsville

>> View Responses

Good day off with the kids today

by wcj99 2012-02-20 19:36:49

At the gym playing basketball this morning.

Lunch at Siegfried's.

Rest of the afternoon at the new Museum of Natural History.

Kids loved the new museum. The set up is fantastic and all of my kids thought the dinosaur exhibits were better than what we saw at the Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian in Washington DC.

The museum's parking situation is somewhat less than optimal, but that was the only negative in my book.

>> View Responses

John White IV in ESPN Pac-12 Blog Top 25 for 2011

by wcj99 2012-02-13 09:10:30

Nice to see JW IV getting some love, but honestly I am surprised that he isn't higher on the list.

http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/3 4544/pac-12-top-25-for-2011-no-21-2

>> View Responses

Per the ESPN Pac-12 blog....Larry Scott gets a contract extension

by wcj99 2012-02-06 09:35:56

as Pac-12 commissioner through 2016. This is great news considering he has to be in demand for his services.

>> View Responses

2 tickets in NEZ available for face value

by wcj99 2011-09-29 16:10:13

Section 25 Row 41

Gave them to a client who now can't make it to the game. Send me a board mail if interested.

>> View Responses

Today is my 24th wedding anniversary.

by wcj99 2011-09-17 23:34:50

The Mrs. and I would like to publicly thank Kyle and the team for the lovely anniversary gift.

>> View Responses

The new math

by wcj99 2011-09-17 22:12:07

Fumbles x 5 = TDS + Roscoe

>> View Responses

Maji Man

by wcj99 2011-09-15 16:59:44

The next version of the Roscoe picture needs to have Roscoe's dog as the helmet stickers.

>> View Responses

So who am I supposed to cheer for?

by wcj99 2011-09-08 18:12:54

Do I cheer for our current conference mates (Arizona Zoobcats) or our future conference mates (Oklahoma State Zoob-boys)?

>> View Responses

USA Rugby names Collegiate All-Americans...

by wcj99 2011-06-17 11:09:21

3 Utes are named All-Americans and 2 others named Honorable Mention.

All American
Thretton Palamo
Don Pati
Nick Mostyn

Honorable Mention
AJ Tuineau
Sione Lauti

Great job by the rugby team this year.

>> View Responses

Operation Millie

by wcj99 2011-05-11 23:05:55

After looking at what has been accomplished over the past two days on behalf of a family that few of us have ever met, I can honestly say that I have never been prouder to be a Utah man.

>> View Responses

Operation Millie

by wcj99 2011-05-10 20:21:48

My dear fellow Utes:

When I decided on a spur of the moment to offer matching funds from my company I honestly hoped that we would be able to at least come close to the $1,000 amount I settled on. I was overwhelmed as I watched the number grow so rapidly. What I had hoped for in 3 1/2 hours, you managed to do in 90 minutes. You have shown your greatness tonight.

Thank you.

>> View Responses

Operation Millie

by wcj99 2011-05-10 18:29:33

I've been impressed with today's response to Operation Millie. I don't know Millie or her family, but as the father of three beautiful, healthy kids I realize that I have been blessed. Millie's story has touched my heart and so I am proposing the following:

I own a retirement plan consulting company in Cottonwood Heights, and I have decided that my firm will offer to match any donations made between the time this is posted and 10:00 PM tonight on a dollar for dollar basis, up to a maximum of $1,000.

As I post this the counter is showing donations of $1,735.

I am proud to be a member of the Ute family. Let's show how much we can do to support those of our family who are in need.

>> View Responses

Armaments chapter 2 verses 9 to 21

by wcj99 2011-05-10 13:38:46

And Saint Andilot raised the hand grenade up on high saying, O Lord bless this thy hand grenade, that with it though mayest blow thy enemies to tiny bits, in thy mercy.

>> View Responses

This is supposed to be a happy occasion...

by wcj99 2011-05-10 12:44:29

Let's not bicker and argue about who killed who.

>> View Responses

Best shirt at the USU - TDS game....

by wcj99 2010-10-01 17:46:22

Is not "Where's Unga?".It's the one with big bold letters that says "BUCK FYU"

>> View Responses

Three things to be thankful for.....

by wcj99 2010-09-18 12:52:44

1 - Family (the wife and I celebrated our 23rd anniversary this week).

2 - Ute football - 3-0 after today with a great coach and no QB controversy.

3 - Scaddy's opened around the corner from my home in Murray.

>> View Responses