“Utah Man”: A Closer Look at the Utes’ Fight Song
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What does it mean to be a “Utah man”? The answer lies in the University of Utah’s storied fight song, “Utah Man,” an anthem that has embodied the spirit and unity of this university’s sports community for more than a century.
Of course, you don’t need to be a man in order to be a Utah fan, and modern versions of the UofU’s fight song often replace the word “man” with “fan” (conveniently, these two words also happen to rhyme).
Utah fans — united by a strong sense of pride — bring the university’s fight song to life with unrivaled energy. Just one visit to Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City quickly puts this community’s passion for athletics into perspective, and when “Utah Man” is sung against the backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains, its famous refrain seems to echo a little extra.
The Origins and Evolution of the “Utah Man” Fight Song
The story of the University of Utah's fight song begins in the early 20th century, a period when college football was gaining prominence as a major force in American sports culture. Like many universities at the time, the University of Utah — then a budding institution with a relatively young athletic program — sought to bolster school pride and identity by creating a fight song students could chant at sporting events.
In 1904, the university enlisted the help of faculty member Dr. L.C. McKernan to create this fight song, and it didn’t take long for “Utah Man” to become an integral part of Utah’s athletic culture. Over time, however, “Utah Man” evolved to keep pace with the changes at the university. In 1927, for example, the song’s lyrics were modified to reflect the increased significance of the Utes mascot. This updated version of the song was more specific in its celebration of Utah’s athletic achievements and resilience. It also evolved to include references to the university's iconic landmarks, like the immovable Wasatch Mountains, which still reign over the U’s campus from a distance.
A Blast to the Past
Reading the verses to “Utah Man” feels like a blast to the past — and not just because they’re nostalgic for Utah fans. Take the line: Our gang is the jolliest that you have ever seen, and it’s hard not to imagine a few red-clad Santa Claus figures rushing into a football stadium. And if older generations have a tough time understanding Gen Z slang, it’d be an interesting experiment to see if Gen Z, internet natives could make sense of a crowning line in the song’s chorus: We’re up to snuff, we never bluff, we’re game for any fuss.
But a fight song that so clearly hearkens back to the time it was written — and yet, is still sung and adored by Utah fans today — has a unique charm to it. It also strengthens the bond between Utah students and alumni, both past and present.
Today, the atmosphere of Rice Eccles Stadium or the Huntsman Center mid-game would be unrecognizable to the people who sang “Utah Man” for the very first time. But it’s nice to think that they’d recognize the song, the colors, and the spirit of the people present, passionately cheering the Utes on.
It’s Not About Men — It’s About Utah
“Utah Man” may seem like a song made for men, by men — end of story. But as the 20th century progressed and an increasing number of women began attending college, the song could no longer afford to represent men only.
Today, more than half of the U’s student body is female, and “Utah Man” speaks for the entire university community, not just the majority group of its early 20th century student body. Could the university make changes to “Utah Man” moving forward for the sake of inclusivity? Potentially. This fight song already has a history of changes over time. But for now, female fans have embraced the anthem. From the early pioneers who helped establish the university to the modern-day students from diverse backgrounds who continue to push boundaries in sports and academics, “Utah Man” has evolved symbolically into a tribute to the tenacity and spirit of Utes everywhere. Potential changes notwithstanding, there is little question that it will remain a powerful anthem for generations of Utes to come.