Skip to main content

Utah Valley; New Grounds for Rivalry


By Jacob Sorenson

Utah has arguably some of the greatest up and coming sports teams in the nation. After years of being overlooked in all major athletics, Utah colleges and universities have excelled. Among those Utah Valley has seemed to find their niche. Centered right off the freeway in Orem, the largest school in the state should seemingly have wide recognition and also with open enrollment you can imagine that the athletes must abound at such a school. 

After being overlooked while under the name UVSC, Utah Valley has now reached the ranks of the WAC conference. Even producing stars like Ronnie Price who still plays for the Suns in the NBA, Utah Valley just could not receive national attention like they have been able to do since their emergence to Division One.

Now, we fast forward. Six years following their entry to the WAC conference and becoming Utah Valley University the wolverines are set to play the BYU Cougars. In a matchup of the Utah Valley schools there is a sense of rivalry. A blowout may be the first thought entering the game. The cougars are a division one power on the basketball court and have had numerous NCAA tournament appearances. For the opposing Wolverines they are yet to receive a tournament bid, let alone beat the cougars.
Marcel Davis (UVU)

On this weekend for the two universities however we find ourselves in an interesting place. The cougars are facing their former assistant coach and national champion Mark Pope. The young Wolverines have scheduled the cougars for four consecutive years and are beginning their basketball rivalry strong. For the Cougars, there are only aspirations of beginning the season with the first win. 

Kyle Collinsworth (BYU)
The Wolverines are a warm-up match for later competition including a #16 Utah team and a #9 Gonzaga. Kyle Collinsworth leads the cougars offense and is projected for numerous national awards in this preseason. Health will be key for the cougars, who could even stun the country and make their own top 25 campaign.

Basketball is not the only means for rivalry this weekend. The ranked womens soccer team for BYU is also on tap to play the Wolverines in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The wolverines winning their first WAC title at the beginning of the week and the cougars winners of the WCC title earlier in the week as well. The two teams are pitted for a mid day Saturday matchup which again means bragging rights and title implications.

BYU Women's Soccer
UVU Women's soccer
Besides the cougars and Wolverines basketball and soccer rivalries, baseball has long been a rivalry between the Wolverines and Cougars with exceptional balance in wins for both. Future plans also in the works show that soon there will be a football rivalry to speak of. While the Wolverines have time before they can make a splash in the NCAA division one football realm, they are preparing for what football could add to the school. Once they find their balance with title nine there will certainly be a future for UVU football. The battle for the Valley is bound to become a marquee matchup in years to come, and certainly in more sports and in new capacities.

For now we begin with basketball. The 7pm matchup will be the second meeting between the schools in history and the wolverines are looking to build to a point that one day they might enjoy their own tournament appearance and success. It’s certain, there is no better man to head the job than coach Pope, and the wolverines look to shock the state, or at least prove they belong.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I'm a bandwagon Seattle Mariners fan

By Damon Chlarson Yes, you read that right. I hopped on the bandwagon when I was nine years old during their record-setting 116-win season in 2001. Ichiro was the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year. Lou Pineilla was AL Manager of the Year.  Bret Boone led the league in RBI. Heck, even Safeco Field was home of the all-star game. It was quite the time to be alive in the Pacific Northwest. Bret Boone, all-star second baseman and probable steroid user, encapsulated all that was cool for the time. He had the quarterback smile. He had the frosted tips like he sung in Sugar Ray. He had forearms the size of Mississippi. But most of all, Bret Boone knew how to bat flip, and bat flip he did on 37 home runs that season. He bat flipped, and he admired his home runs. Sometimes he would bat flip and it would be a warning track shot. But that man loved his job, and I emulated it. Much has been said recently regarding players criticizing those who admire their homeruns....
Post a Comment
Read more

My Fantasy Football Logos

 Here are a list of the logos I've made for my own fantasy football leagues:
Post a Comment
Read more

A new Era in BYU Football, Rivalry comeback in Vegas turned Vegas Bowl into high profile matchup

Kalani Sitake Following its two year hiatus, the Holy War was back. In two weeks of upheaval the beloved in state match between the Utes and Cougars brought many to their feet. The lead up to the game was filled with turmoil. A mix of coaching changes, brutal conversation, and even question of preparation and desire to play have led the headlines. Reports from ESPN, CBS college sports, and other credible sites mentioned the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl as the most intriguing match up of the bowl season. In rank of importance, the bowl game was ranked top 5 in the nation. Not only was the bowl game an in state rivalry, but the regional match had national attention as Bronco Mendenhall is sending his talents to the ACC and Virginia. Unlike most bowl games, it started out with a horrid thud. The five consecutive drives leading to five consecutive turnovers left the stadium in mere silence. The first quarter alone, lasting over an hour in total, had less than 100 yards of offense,...
Post a Comment
Read more