A long-established part of Utah Football history is at risk of being abandoned.  Since 1968, when Col. Ottis Plant helped obtain a World War I training cannon named "Thunder Ute" (more recently known as "Ute Thunder") for use at Ute Stadium, University of Utah ROTC cadets have saluted the Gridiron Utes and their fans with the resounding boom of cannon fire every time the Utes score.  Before Ute Thunder was introduced, the Bleacher Utes (predecessors to the Crimson Club) used a World War II tank for this deep-rooted tradition.   

Although the original Ute Thunder was decommissioned in 2015, the sound of cannon fire in Rice-Eccles Stadium remained thanks to the Utah National Guard.  In recent years, the tradition was expanded to include one blast forty-five minutes before kickoff and four rounds of cannon fire in quick succession to signal the start of the fourth quarter.  And those smoke rings!  Needless to say, the Utah ROTC cannon crew and their booming salute are an enduring part of Utah Football.

Or at least they should be.  The sound of cannon fire was conspicuously absent when fans returned to the newly renovated Rice-Eccles Stadium on September 2, 2021.  Although the Utes were victorious that day, the University of Utah lost its heartbeat when the thunder of cannon fire stopped ringing through the mountains near and far.  To make matters worse, in response to an inquiry about the cannon's status, a representative of the Utah Athletics Department acknowledged Ute Thunder's absence and would not commit to its return to Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Utah fans, sign and share this petition.  Tell Utah Athletics Director Mark Harlan and University of Utah President Taylor Randall to bring back Ute Thunder and preserve this important part of Utah Football heritage.  You can help the cause by sharing this petition with your friends, family, and fellow Utah fans--especially those by whom you sit at Rice-Eccles Stadium.  If you would like us to share memories in a future update, please email stories and photos to saveutethunder@gmail.com. 

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