Finally, football season is back. Students all over Utah got ready for something that only happens every two years: The Holy War. Arguably the most popular game of the year for anyone in Utah, the rivalry game between Brigham Young University and the University of Utah was a close one last weekend, with Utah winning by a single point, 20-19. The rivalry included many social media rants, Harambe references and pure fan craziness at Rice-Eccles stadium. I thought I was going to die that night, but if you were a BYU fan, I truly wonder if you survived.
Aside from the madness, In the front of the stadium I noticed something that wasn't there before, or at least wasn't so prominent in the past... something so huge that it could potentially blanket the football field. It was the big-ass new score board.
The new score board and sound system, which were built this past summer, cost trustees of the U over 13.5 million dollars. At 10,502 square feet, it is the second largest college score board, ranking close behind Auburn's Jordan Hare Stadium. That's so cool! It's not like students need more scholarship money or aid! If the university is trying to start a trend of useless spending, why not get every student a hoverboard?
Since the University of Utah is in the Pac-12, which is VERY important and everyone should care about it, sports has always been a top priority in terms of marketing the university. What better way to scare off the BYU Cougars than with a score board the size of the entire country of Switzerland?
In response to the size of the score board, here are some things that are bigger than the Ute's giant TV:
1. Harambe's meme count
According to KnowYourMeme.com, the surfacing of Harambe memes on Reddit back in May has started a meme revolution, causing a signatory 330,000 names on Change.Org, countless news coverage, and of course, hashtags such as #JusticeForHarambe and #RIPHarambe circulating throughout Twitter and Facebook. Currently, #BrighamYoungShotHarmabe is my favorite.
Shout out to this sign hanging off some guy's house in honor of the BYU vs. Utah game.
Shout out to this sign hanging off some guy's house in honor of the BYU vs. Utah game.
2. That random giant inflatable astronaut at Coachella
3. This chest of drawers
Located in North Carolina, since it is apparently the "Home Furnishings Capital of the World." Good on you, North Carolina.
4. The Student Debt Ceiling
Seven out of 10 graduating seniors will have incurred student debt. As of 2016, the student debt has amassed to 1.3 trillion dollars. That is more expensive and more depressing then the University of Utah score board. It is also ironic due to the fact that money is clearly not being dispersed in needed areas in education, just in giant TV's and state of the art sound systems.
5. The Wall Trump Will Potentially Build
Trump proposes on his website that Mexico will "make a one-time payment of $5-10 billion to ensure that $24 billion continues to flow into their country year after year." Expensive and big, just like the score board.
6. Jon Hamm's Bulge
Never let this die.
7. The amount of people that are mad at Colin Kaepernick
*Someone singing National Anthem at a Ute's game*
Person: "Why are you sitting?"
Utah student (probably me): "The score board is too big."
