This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

As "Utah Man" echoed around Rice Eccles Stadium, it was clear that old habits and traditions die hard.

Despite a more politically correct push in the offseason, altering lyrics from "Utah Man" to "Utah Fan," among other changes, fans largely stuck to the version written in 1904.

Standing next to the Utah student section, students clad in both white and red belted out "man" following the team's opening touchdown of the night, just as they'd always done.

Deanna Collins, an English teaching major, and Brittany Ellis, a business finance major, said they'd both be singing the original version throughout the game.

"Personally, I don't get offended," Collins said. "I'm down to sing 'Utah man am I'; it's not going to bother me."

Ellis said the debate on the fight song "was everywhere" around campus over the past few months.

"It really didn't bother me saying 'Utah Man,'" Ellis said. "I just feel like it's more of a tradition and I like being a part of that big tradition."

Josh McCleary, an engineering graduate student and Bluffdale resident, said it didn't matter to him either way how people sing the fight song.

"People can sing whatever they're comfortable with. I'll sing "Utah Man," because I'm a man, but if people want to say "fan," that's fine with me.

Ryan Hinton of Riverton said he couldn't believe people could be offended by the fight song.

"I think the reaction to a very small minority of people was overdone... If that's going to offend you, you're living a life where you're looking to be offended," he said.

Andy Schulz of Holladay, whose personal license plate reads "ManAmI," said his position on the subject was fairly obvious and that those offended had "too much time on their hands."

Collins and Ellis, decked out in white "MUSS" shirts, parted with arguably the most logical point of the entire debate.

"As long as everyone cheers, we're OK," Collins said.

bsmith@sltrib.com