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Show November 2009 THE DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE MUSS sticks with team through thick and thin comments • videos • blogs • polls Liz Frome CONNECT STAFF WRITER to The Chronicle There's a sea of crimson flowing within the heart of the U. Its steadfast and unyielding loyalty has been known to be a means by which the Utes achieve their glory. It's the first living thing with which the Utes share their success, and the first to offer support after each painful defeat. It scolds when mistakes are made, but forgives easily and moves on. There for every battle, it offers up silent prayers for victory and never dies nor selfishly abandons its duty to sustain. The MUSS provides Utah's football team with a seemingly bottomless well of energy. When in doubt, a simple glance to the southeast corner of RiceEccles Stadium can offer a reassuring push: "Just a little further, just a little tougher, just a little longer," it encourages. "You're a Ute." Since 2003, the MUSS has been there, rain, snow or shine. A fairly new tradition at the U, the MUSS caught on and spread like wildfire throughout the campus and student dormitories, doubling in size nearly every year since its birth. A cap was put on the number of people allowed in the MUSS because students who were not members of the all-welcoming club found it impossible to get seats in the student section. The Utah Football Fan Club, as it was originally known, was taking over. From an original band of 800, the MUSS has grown to a 5,000-person herd. With trademark traditions making it the most easily identifiable section of the stadium, the MUSS essentially controls the atmosphere of the game. It's like the overzealous father at Jr. Jazz games, screaming at the top of his lungs when the referee makes what the father determines is a "questionable" call. With the stomping of feet, flailing of limbs and occasional slip of some truly questionable phrases in the heat of the moment, it provides unwavering support to its cause. The only difference is that unlike the 9-year-old child running behind the bleachers to avoid complete and lifelong humiliation, the Utes aren't embarrassed. Instead, head coach Kyle Whittingham said the team feeds off of the intensity the MUSS so willingly provides. On Oct. 24, when the Utes went into overtime against Air Force, Zt9iWtt ' • • » . « 25 / / Rivalry Guide dailyutahchronicle.com VANGE e part of a winning team Vangent, Inc. is proud to serve on a team that is supporting the Census 2010 by providing the - people, process and operations for this historic event. Come and be part of our team in our Sandy RICHARD PMSOH/Ibe Daily Utah Chnmkle After starting with 800 members in 2003, the MUSS has grown each year and now has 5,000 members. win in the south end zone after the Falcons won the coin toss and gave Utah the ball. "When Air Force won the toss and chose to go on defense, we immediately wanted to go down and play in the MUSS end because of what they give this football team," Whittingham said. "The spark and the energy they give to us (is what we needed)." With a screaming, jumping crowd of almost 5,000 students at their side, the Utes pulled off the six-point victory, pushing their 2009 conference record to 3-0. The team stood, as is the tradition, in front of the MUSS after the game, with raised helmets bouncing to the chant of "Utah Man," the U's school song. But the MUSS isn't there just at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Once every year, the MUSS Bus—or buses—venture away from Salt Lake City to transport die-hard fans to an away game. This year, instead of going to Las Vegas or San Diego, as they do most often, the buses headed to Eugene to watch the Utes take on Oregon. Even when the buses can't get them there, students from the MUSS find ways to get themselves to big games. Last year, when Utah went to New Orleans to play in the Sugar Bowl against the BCS No. 6-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, several MUSS # I eeM Mfr.i & Call Center. Now hiring 1200 Customer ServiqS Representatives (CSR's) ^United States* Stv- Census 2010 Temporary full and part-time positions! Bilingual Spanish, Russian. Chinese, 7 Vietnamese, Korean ! Starting in January/February 2010 Base pay rate of $11.18 - $13.18 per hour (depending on bilingual language^ skills) plus SCA Health/Welfare benefit of $3.35 per hour. earn members must type 20wpm, pass a suitabilit pSlearance which includes fingerprinting, and must bag legally able to work in the United States with a mining : \ ~ of two year residence. Apply on-line at www.vangent.com pee search/Sandy, Utah to view all posting! Inc Is an Equal «&&>&& ••;* Affirmative Action |