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Utah Sports Hall of Fame cancels annual fall induction ceremony due to COVID-19 concerns

(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) l-r ÒMost of us thought it was a dream,Ó said Joel Gardner, right, of the Utah Sports Hall of Fame, Wednesday, May 15, 2019. Gardner, who is a past president of the Utah Hall of Fame talks about the display of the Oquirrh Bucket with Rod Tueller, former athletic director of Utah State University. The Oquirrh Bucket was a traveling trophy given to the Utah State Collegiate Champion basketball team that won the tournament between Utah State University, Weber State University, University of Utah and Brigham Young University.

By The Salt Lake Tribune
  | June 30, 2020, 5:37 p.m.
| Updated: 6:31 p.m.

The COVID-19 virus has claimed another 2020 event.

The Utah Sports Hall of Fame Foundation announced that it’s Fall Awards banquet to induct new members into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame has been cancelled.

The 2020 group, which included golfer Jay Don Blake, Olympic water polo star Courtney Young Johnson, pro football player Haloti Ngata, RSL soccer star Nick Rimando and college track all-America Teri Okelberry Spiers, will now be honored in 2021.

The 2021 banquet is scheduled September 27, 2021, at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City.

The USOFF was established in 1967 and is dedicated to preserving and honoring Utah’s sports heritage. Since the original class of 1970, the group has honored 238 individuals, including Utah Olympians, college All-Americans, professional athletes, sports contributors, journalists and administrators.

The group’s museum on the northwest corner of the City Creek mall will reopen when the COVID-19 crisis passes.

By The Salt Lake Tribune