Utah Valley, Dixie State Announce ‘The Old Hammer Rivalry’
Feb 10, 2021, 3:44 PM | Updated: 5:10 pm
Utah Valley athletic director Vince Otoupal chides soon-to-be-WAC-rival Dixie State athletic director Jason Boothe as the Trailblazers are announced as the newest members of the Western Athletic Conference, Friday, Jan. 9, 2019 in St. George, Utah. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Valley University and Dixie State University announced a renewed rivalry between the two schools under the name “The Old Hammer Rivalry.”
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The two former junior college rivals announced the updated competition on Wednesday, February 10.
“The rivalry will incorporate the history of the two schools,” Utah Valley athletic director Jared Sumsion said. “Our history with Dixie State goes back nearly 50 years. We competed in the Scenic West Athletic Conference (SWAC) for years and now, with both holding membership in the WAC, it only makes sense to renew the rivalry and give it a name moving forward.”
“We are excited to reignite our rivalry with Utah Valley and to initiate the ‘Old Hammer Rivalry,'” said Dixie State’s Dr. Jason Boothe. “It will be exciting to battle the Wolverines each year for the right to retain the hammer!”
Utah Valley and @DixieAthletics have announced the renewal of an old rivalry between the two schools. The Old Hammer Rivalry will continue the tradition that had been formed during their junior college days.#GoUVU #UVU #OldHammer
FULL STORY: https://t.co/QfAnEzVhFE pic.twitter.com/CACzFUhBIV
— UVU Athletics (@GoUVU) February 10, 2021
The rivalry between the now Division I programs dates back 49 years.
UVU and Dixie State are separated by about 263 miles. Utah Valley is located in Orem, Utah and Dixie State is based in St. George, Utah.
According to the schools, the Old Hammer Rivalry represents the development of the St. George area, which was settled by Latter-day Saint Pioneers in the 1800s.
As members of the Western Athletic Conference, Utah Valley and Dixie State will compete in multiple sports including:
- Baseball
- Cross Country
- Men’s Golf
- Women’s Golf
- Basketball
- Men’s Soccer
- Women’s Soccer
- Softball
- Track & Field
- Volleyball
Dixie State and @GoUVU "Hammer" Out New Rivalry Details #DixieBlazers #WeAreONE #OldHammer https://t.co/qL5Igcg11W
— Dixie State Athletics (@DixieAthletics) February 11, 2021
Utah Valley and Dixie State will tip-off the renewed rivalry on the hardwood. The Wolverines are slated to host the Trailblazers’ men’s basketball team at the UCCU Center on Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13. Both games are scheduled to start at 6 p.m. (MDT).
