This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Currently, there is much speculation taking place pertaining to the University of Utah's current and future use of the "Utes" nickname. As a lifelong Utah fan and alumnus, I personally love the nickname and I cannot imagine the teams representing the university being known as anything else.
But the time has come to move on and choose another nickname. The university cannot continuously be held hostage by the ever-changing demands of the Ute tribes in exchange for its endorsement. The use of the "Utes" nickname comes down to a simple truth: It is either right or it is wrong.
If use of the name is right, then it's right. If use of the name is wrong, then it's wrong. And no amount of money, scholarships, or other benefits can change that fact.
It is no longer our job to decide. It's time to move on.
Daniel C. Godfrey
Cottonwood Heights