Undefeated Utah Team Leads 2019 Hall Of Fame Class
Sep 30, 2019, 12:25 PM | Updated: 12:44 pm
Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the University of Utah scrambles for a first down as John Denney #92 of BYU gives chase during the second quarter November 20, 2004 at Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)
(Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The 2004 Utah Football team is being inducted into the Utah Athletics Hall of Fame along with a gymnast, a skier, a track athlete and some notable teams throughout the school’s history.
The inductees were honored Saturday night during the Utes’ 38-13 win over Washington State.
The class was formally enshrined on Friday evening.
Alex Smith & The Bowl Busters
The 2004 Utes have a special place in the hearts’ of Utah fans. Heisman Trophy candidate Alex Smith led the team to an undefeated season.
That group, coached by Urban Meyer, are known as the original bowl busters with their Fiesta Bowl victory where they beat Pittsburgh with a score of 35-7.
Current defensive coordinator for the Utes, Morgan Scalley, was a defensive back on that team.
"I'm very fortunate to have been here my entire career. I love this university. This is home." @SafetyPride | #WhyUCoach
What it means to Coach Morgan Scalley to come home to coach. pic.twitter.com/HLRQOTdtVx
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 28, 2019
Kristina Baskett (Arya Stark)
Baskett was a standout on the sensational Utah Gymnastics team, known adoringly by fans that the Red Rocks. She was a national champion and 12-time all-American.
Add seven national medals and an Academic All-American award to her resume and it becomes more impressive.
Baskett made headlines recently when she was stunt double for Arya Stark in the popular show Game Of Thrones.
Torin Koos: The Olympian
Koos is a three-time all-American cross country skier and a four-time Olympian.
He competed in the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics where he finished in 36th place.
Honoring a new @CrimsonClub Hall of Fame Class this weekend!
🙌 Kristina Baskett
🙌 Torin Koos
🙌 Jeff Simonichhttps://t.co/90rFTX1Vta#goutes pic.twitter.com/CtR9lxepAJ— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) September 28, 2019
Jeff Simonich: Gold Medalist
Simonich was the WAC cross-country (track and field) champion in 1988. The victory capped off his four-time, all-American career.
He has two WAC gold medals in the 3,000 and 5,000 races.
And our @CrimsonClub Hall of Fame team inductees!
🙌 1981 @UtahGymnastics squad
🙌 1982 @UtahGymnastics squad
🙌 2004 @Utah_Football teamhttps://t.co/90rFTXjwkI#goutes pic.twitter.com/pp8ov5Ynr9— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) September 28, 2019
1981 Gymnastics Team Started A Dynasty
It is safe to say this team was the beginning of the Red Rocks dynasty. Legendary coach Greg Marsden built this team from the ground up.
They won the AIAW National Championship after a 27-2 regular-season record.
This National Title was the first of many for the Red Rocks.
1982 Gymnastics
Back-to-back national championships make a gymnastics program elite. Marsden and his team established the strength of the Red Rocks with this national title.
Marsden earned his second Coach of The Year award after the 1982 season.
