A Tradition of Excellence Part I - UtahUtes.com | University of Utah ...
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
AN ERA OF GREATNESS
BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE IN THE ‘90S
Conference Champions 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003
NIT 1992, 2001
NCAA Sweet 16 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998
NIT Final Four 1992
NCAA Elite Eight 1997, 1998
Conference Tournament Champions 1995, 1997, 1999
NCAA Tournament 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003
NCAA Final Four 1998
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
Team Kansas College of Charleston Kentucky Arizona Duke North Carolina Connecticut Utah Princeton Arkansas UCLA Cincinnati Xavier Syracuse Massachusetts
W 286 191 282 256 271 270 259 250 210 260 240 246 217 232 237
L 60 42 63 67 78 78 75 76 66 83 79 83 86 92 94
Pct. .827 .820 .817 .793 .777 .776 .775 .767 .761 .758 .752 .748 .716 .716 .716
Rick Majerus has molded the Utah basketball program into one of the nation’s best. From its record on the court to academic success in the classroom, there are few teams in the country that can compare to the Utes’ accomplishments. Securely entrenched among the nation’s elite, Utah basketball enters its 15th season under one of the top coaches in the game today. • During the decade of the ‘90s, the Utes won the eighth-most games in NCAA Division I with a 250-76 record. Utah’s .767 winning percentage over that 10-year period also ranked as the eighth-best in the nation. • In the last five seasons, the Utes have gone 116-43 (.730) to record the 13th-best winning percentage in NCAA Division I. • Majerus has led Utah to 10 NCAA Tournaments—including eight in the last nine years. The Utes have advanced to the Sweet 16 four times, the Elite Eight twice and the national championship game in 1998. • Utah placed third in the 1992 NIT Final Four. • Since 1990, Utah has the ninth-most top 10 finishes in the coaches’ poll with five. The Utes finished in the top 10 three consecutive years from 1997-99. • Utah won at least 27 games over the course of five seasons from 1994-95 through 1998-99. Only 13 times has an NCAA Division I program won 25 games in five consecutive seasons.
126
2 0 0 3 - 0 4
M E D I A
G U I D E
Keith Van Horn was mobbed by his teammates after hitting the game-winning shot for the second night in a row in the 1997 WAC Tournament semifinals against New Mexico.
• Utah posted a school-record 30 wins in 199091 and again in 1997-98.
• During Majerus’ tenure at Utah, his players have been named All-America five times—twice consensus choices—Academic All-America four times, conference player of the year eight times, and first team all-conference 19 times.
AP POLL TOP 10 FINISHES SINCE 1990 Team 1. Arizona Duke Kansas Kentucky 5. Connecticut North Carolina 7. Cincinnati Michigan State 9. Utah Arkansas
No. 10 10 10 10 7 7 6 6 5 5
UTAH’S SEASON END RANKINGS SINCE 1990 Above: Utah played Kentucky for the 1998 NCAA Championship at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The Utes were led by three Academic All-Americans (left to right): Drew Hansen, Hanno Möttölä and Michael Doleac.
1990-91 1992-93 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99
Right: Utah fans, shown here at the 1998 Final Four, have had a lot to cheer about during the Majerus era.
AP Poll 10 19 19 12 2 7 6
Coaches Poll 10 16 22 12 6 2 10
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS One of the trademarks of a Utah team during the Rick Majerus era is a stifling half-court defense. Since 1989-90, Utah has ranked in the top 30 in the nation 11 times in scoring defense, nine times in rebound margin, eight times in field goal percentage defense and eight times in scoring margin. • The Utes have ranked in the top 15 in the NCAA in scoring defense six times in the last 14 years. • Utah was ranked among the top 30 teams in the nation in rebound margin seven consecutive years from 1994-95 through 200001. • Thanks to its stifling defense, Utah has ranked in the NCAA’s top 30 in scoring margin six of the last nine years.
UTAH IN THE NCAA STATISTICS UNDER MAJERUS Scoring Defense 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03
Scoring Margin
17th (64.8) --10th (64.2) 22nd (9.6) 8th (61.6) ----16th (11.4) ----21st (64.9) 12th (12.7) 19th (63.9) 8th (12.9) --7th (12.8) 4th (57.6) 16th (12.4) 4th (55.4) 5th (15.9) 20th (61.8) --23rd (63.1) 29th (8.7) 13th (61.3) --14th (60.3) ---
FG Pct. Defense
Rebound Margin
Field Goal 3-Pt. FG Free Throw Win/Loss Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage
--25th (42.1) 6th (39.8) 4th (40.3) --15th (39.8) 14th (40.0) 7th (38.2) 6th (38.6) 29th (39.5) ---------
--30th (5.0) 10th (6.6) ----4th (9.8) 3rd (9.6) 15th (6.5) 1st (10.0) 9th (8.2) 26th (4.8) 15th (6.4) -----
------23rd (49.3) --18th (48.3) 19th (48.1) 5th (49.6) 22nd (48.0) 13th (47.7) 12th (48.2) -------
------------10th (41.0) 1st (79.1) 13th (39.6) 7th (74.7) --12th (74.3) --1st (78.4) --25th (72.5) --27th (73.0) ----19th (38.7) ------8th (40.5) --33rd (38.1) ---
--4th (88.2) --19th (77.4) --7th (82.4) 15th (79.4) 4th (87.9) 6th (88.2) 6th (84.8) ---------
W W W . U T A H U T E S . C O M
127
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
• Eleven of the 31 seasons with 20 wins or more in school history have come during the Majerus era.
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
CONFERENCE DOMINATION In the last 14 seasons under Rick Majerus, Utah has won 10 regular-season conference championships—including eight in the last nine seasons. The Utes were the WAC champions their last five years in the league (winning division titles the last three years) and have won a share of three Mountain West Conference regular-season titles. • The Utes’ 10 regular-season conference championships in the last 13 years is the most of any team in the nation over that period of time. Utah’s eight titles in the last nine years are tied with Valparaiso of the Mid-Continent Conference for the best mark over that time frame.
MOST REGULAR SEASON CONFERENCE TITLES SINCE 1990-91 Team Utah Cincinnati Kansas Kentucky Murray State Chattanooga Valparaiso Penn Princeton
Conference(s) WAC/Mountain West Great Midwest/C-USA Big 8/Big 12 SEC Ohio Valley Southern Mid-Continent Ivy Ivy
Titles 10 9 9 9 9 8 8 8 7
(Includes shared titles and divisional titles)
• Utah’s seven consecutive conference championships from 1995-2001 was the sixth-longest string of league titles in NCAA Division I history. UCLA won 13 consecutive conference titles (1967-79), UNLV captured 10 championships in a row (1983-92), Kentucky (1944-52) and Western Kentucky (1932-40) claimed nine straight, while Cincinnati took eight in a row (1995-2002). • Utah is the nation’s most dominant team in conference home games the past nine years with a 65-3 (.956) record. The Utes won 48 consecutive conference games in the Huntsman Center from Jan. 8, 1996 through Feb. 4, 2002.
Nick Jacobson cuts down the net after Utah clinched the 2003 Mountain West Conference championship.
MARCH MADNESS The thrill of playing in the NCAA Tournament, the premiere event in college basketball, has been virtually a yearly occurrence for Utah under Rick Majerus. The Utes have made 10 appearances in the “Big Dance” under Majerus, including eight trips in the last nine years. • During the Majerus era, the Utes have the 14th-most wins (17) and the 17th-best winning percentage (.630) in NCAA Tournament play. • Utah has made it to at least the second round of the NCAA Tournament all but once under Majerus. The Utes have made it to the Sweet 16 four times, the Elite Eight twice and the 1998 Final Four.
Rick Majerus salutes the crowd after Utah defeated Arizona in the 1998 West Regional final.
128
2 0 0 3 - 0 4
M E D I A
G U I D E
NCAA TOURNAMENT WINS SINCE 1990 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
Team Duke Kentucky Kansas North Carolina Arizona Connecticut Arkansas Michigan State UCLA Syracuse Maryland Indiana Cincinnati Utah Oklahoma State Temple Texas
Wins 44 39 34 33 29 28 25 24 23 22 21 19 18 17 16 16 16
1998 NCAA FINAL FOUR By defeating the top seed in the West and defending national champion Arizona 76-51 in the regional final, the Utes, seeded third in the region, advanced to the NCAA Final Four for the first time in 32 years. Led by West Regional MVP Andre Miller and another rising star, Michael Doleac, Utah had become a true Cinderella story heading into the nation-
al semifinal game against No. 1 ranked North Carolina. The Utes knocked off the Tar Heels 65-59 to advance to the school’s first NCAA Championship game since 1944. Utah jumped out to a 12-point lead over Kentucky in the national final before the Wildcats’ depth allowed UK to prevail 78-69. The 1997-98 team began the season with a school record 18-0 start and tied the 1990-91 squad for the most wins in Utah history with a 30-4 record.
Top left: Michael Doleac, Andre MIller and Drew Hansen field questions from the media at a press conference. Top right: The tip-off of the national championship game between the Utes and Kentucky. Right: Utah’s 1998 national runner-up trophy. Bottom right: Utah fans celebrate with Swoop and the cheerleaders at a Final Four pep rally on San Antonio’s famed river walk. Bottom left: The Utes take the floor of the Alamodome.
W W W . U T A H U T E S . C O M
129
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
Knocking off two No. 1 seeds along the way, the Runnin’ Utes captured the hearts of basketball fans across the nation by advancing to the 1998 NCAA title game at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
A LOOK AT THE HEAD COACH A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
WINNINGEST ACTIVE DIVISION I COACHES (Minimum five years of experience)
Majerus shown with two of the finest to play for him in the Crimson and White: Consensus first team All-American Andre Miller and first team Academic All-American Drew Hansen at the 1998 Final Four.
Rick Majerus has orchestrated the most successful 14-year stretch in the history of Utah basketball. Owner of a 308-90 record (.774) since coming to the U. in 1989, Majerus has averaged 22 wins per year, becoming the winningest coach in modern times on The Hill. Majerus has led the Utes to seven 25-win seasons and eleven 20-win seasons.
• By notching his 400th career victory during the 2002-03 season, Majerus became the 16th-fastest coach to reach 400 wins, taking just 538 games. He is one of just 12 coaches all-time to win 400 games in 19 seasons or less. • Majerus has earned five national coach of the year awards during his career at Utah and six overall. He is also a seven-time district coach of the year, a one-time region coach of the year, and a five-time conference coach of the year.
Coach, Current School Roy Williams, North Carolina Jim Boeheim, Syracuse Lute Olsen, Arizona Rick Majerus, Utah Mike Krzyzewski, Duke Bob Huggins, Cincinnati Rick Pitino, Louisville Tubby Smith, Kentucky Bob Knight, Texas Tech John Chaney, Temple John Calipari, Memphis Eddie Sutton, Oklahoma State Tom Izzo, Michigan State Pat Douglas, UC Irvine Jim Calhoun, Connecticut
Coach, Last School Clair Bee, LIU-Brooklyn Adolph Rupp, Kentucky Roy Williams, North Carolina John Wooden, UCLA John Kreese, Charleston Jerry Tarkanian, Fresno State Dean Smith, North Carolina Harry Fisher, Army Frank Keaney, Rhode Island George Keogan, Notre Dame Jack Ramsay, St. Joseph’s Vic Bubas, Duke Chick Davies, Duquesne Ray Mears, Tennessee Jim Boeheim, Syracuse Lute Olsen, Arizona Rick Majerus, Utah Phog Allen, Kansas Al McGuire, Marquette Everett Case, N.C. State ▼
▼ ▼
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.
▼
2 0 0 3 - 0 4
M E D I A
G U I D E
W 418 653 690 407 663 517 396 288 809 693 260 724 189 471 647
L 101 226 240 142 234 184 144 109 311 269 101 288 78 196 296
Pct. .805 .743 .742 .741 .739 .738 .733 .725 .722 .720 .720 .715 .708 .706 .686
(Minimum 10 years of experience)
= active coach
Majerus, regarded highly for his overall knowledge of the game of basketball, broke down the 2001 NCAA Tournament brackets with Gary Miller on ESPN’s “Up Close.”
130
Yrs. 15 27 30 19 28 22 17 12 37 31 11 33 8 22 31
WINNINGEST DIVISION I COACHES ALL-TIME
▼
• Majerus is the fourth-winningest active coach in the nation with a .741 winning percentage in 19 seasons. He is also ranked among the top 20 in all-time winning percentage, currently listed 17th.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
Yrs. 21 41 15 29 23 31 36 13 27 24 11 10 21 21 27 30 19 48 20 18
W 412 876 418 664 560 778 879 147 387 385 231 213 314 399 653 690 407 746 405 376
L 87 190 101 162 143 202 254 44 117 117 71 67 106 135 226 240 142 264 143 133
Pct. .826 .822 .805 .804 .797 .794 .776 .770 .768 .767 .765 .761 .748 .747 .743 .742 .741 .739 .739 .739
After Utah’s appearance in the 1998 NCAA Final Four, Majerus was in high demand on the talk show circuit. One of Majerus’ appearances was on NBC’s “The Tonight Show.” He is shown here with host Jay Leno (top) and comedian Billy Crystal (right).
• One of the most recognizable personalities in college basketball, Majerus has been a frequent guest on TV and radio sports talk shows. He has lent his expertise as a television analyst, as well. Majerus was a part of CBS’ NCAA Tournament coverage for two weeks in 1999 and worked the Final Four. From 1997-2000, he was an NBA Draft analyst for TNT (below).
• Majerus’ record in the NCAA Tournament at Utah is 17-10 (.630), guiding the Utes to the Sweet 16 four times, the Elite Eight twice and one Final Four. His all-time mark in the “Big Dance” is 18-11 (.621).
Majerus appeared at Chicago’s famed Wrigley Field in August of 1999 as the guest conductor of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh inning stretch.
Majerus, directing the Utes in the 1998 NCAA Final Four, has coached in three Final Fours. He went to two as an assistant coach with Marquette.
“Coach Majerus is a great teacher of the game of basketball in all aspects. He has taught me the small things that I need to know to make myself into the best player that I can become.” - Nick Jacobson Ute Guard All-Mountain West Conference 2002-2003
W W W . U T A H U T E S . C O M
131
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
• Majerus’ life story, numerous anecdotes and highlights of his coaching career are documented in his autobiography, “My Life On a Napkin: Pillow Mints, Playground Dreams and Coaching the Runnin’ Utes.” The book, co-authored with ESPN The Magazine senior writer Gene Wojciechowski, was released in the spring of 1999. All proceeds from the sale of the book are going toward breast cancer research.
DEVELOPING THE BEST
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
The success of Rick Majerus’ teams at Utah can be tied directly to the coach’s success rate of developing talented players within his program. The list of conference awards won by Utes during the Majerus Era is lengthy. • Six of the last nine players of the year in the WAC and Mountain West conferences have been Utes. Eight Utes have been named Player of the Year under Majerus. • Utah players been prevalent on the all-conference team under Majerus. Since the 198990 season, 21 percent of those named all-league have been Utes. Last season, Utah led the Mountain West with four allleague selections.
CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR UNDER RICK MAJERUS 1991 1993 1995 1996
Josh Grant Josh Grant Keith Van Horn Keith Van Horn
1997 1999 2000 2002
Keith Van Horn Andre Miller Alex Jensen Britton Johnsen
Majerus was inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. He is also a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame in Utah.
Majerus was the godfather of Keith Van Horn’s daughter Noelle.
RICK MAJERUS BASKETBALL CAMP One of the greatest teachers of the game of basketball, Rick Majerus hosts his own basketball camp on a yearly basis at the University of Utah. • An average of more than 2,000 kids attend the six sessions of the camp an annual basis. The camp also brings in instructors from over 40 states. • Overnight, day and Junior Ute camps are offered in June, July and August for boys and girls in grades 1-12. For a brochure and more information on the 2004 camps, call (801) 585-6183.
2 0 0 3 - 0 4
M E D I A
Sports Illustrated polled 115 college basketball coaches during the 199899 season and asked the question, "If you could only go to one coaching clinic, whose would it be?" The top four vote-getters were: 1. Mike Krzyzewski, Duke 2. Rick Majerus, Utah 3. Dick Bennett, Wisconsin Bob Knight, Indiana
• In addition to his own camp, Rick Majerus is in high demand as a speaker at conferences and coaching clinics across the country, making nearly 50 appearances a year.
Above: Along with instruction from Head Coach Rick Majerus, campers also get the opportunity to interact with former Utah players. All-American Michael Doleac (back left), now with the NBA’s New York Knicks, performs a drill with Majerus and Camp Director Scott Garson.
132
HIGHLY REGARDED BY HIS PEERS
G U I D E
A COMMITMENT TO ACADEMICS • In the last six years, Utah has had four Academic All-Americans, more than any other NCAA Division I program. Michael Doleac and Drew Hansen were both named to the Verizon Academic All-America team as seniors in 1997-98. Hanno Möttölä was named to the second team in 1998-99 and the third team in 1999-2000. • With Doleac and Hansen, Utah became the first NCAA Final Four team to have two Academic All-Americans in its starting line-up in 1998. • During the last 14 years, 25 of the 40 student-athletes who played under Majerus as seniors received their degrees for a 63 percent graduation rate. Five more are still working to complete their degrees, which will raise the rate to 75 percent upon their graduation. • Forty-one players have made the honor roll a combined 170 times with a 3.00 GPA or better for a semester. • Utah has had an academic all-conference honoree every year under Rick Majerus; 10 times the Utes have had multiple academic all-conference selections. In all, Utah players have earned academic all-conference recognition 39 times since 1989-90. • Last season, the Utes earned 10 honor roll citations. Three players were named academic all-Mountain West Conference.
ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS UNDER RICK MAJERUS 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
For everything Utah’s student-athletes have achieved on the court, they have been equally successful in the classroom. In Rick Majerus’ program, academics are prioritized first, basketball second.
Michael Doleac, Dew Hansen Hanno Möttölä Hanno Möttölä
ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS UNDER RICK MAJERUS 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03
Keith Chapman, Tommy Connor, Jon Hansen Larry Cain Larry Cain, M’Kay McGrath, Jimmy Soto, Matt Wiese Larry Cain Mark Rydalch, Terry Preston, Ryan Hunt Terry Preston Drew Hansen, Terry Preston Ben Caton, Drew Hansen, Michael Doleac Michael Doleac, Drew Hansen, Trace Caton Hanno Möttölä, Adam Sharp Jeremy Killion, Hanno Möttölä, Mike Puzey, Adam Sharp Lance Allred, Chris Burgess, Trace Caton, Mike Puzey Lance Allred, Trace Caton, Nick Jacobson, Martin Osimani, Eric Osmundson Trace Caton, Chris Jackson, Nick Jacobson
RETURNING ACADEMIC ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST SELECTIONS
Chris Jackson Chemical and Fuels Engineering
Hanno Möttölä was a two-time Academic All-American
Nick Jacobson Business
“The coaches and the entire athletic department staff at Utah work 100% for you to get 100% out of you, both on and off the court. The coaching staff, in particular, does absolutely everything they can for you. No question, you have to go to class. If you don’t, you won’t play. They don’t expect you to get “A”s, but they do expect you give an “A” effort. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. My experience at the University of Utah, both in the classroom and through basketball, helped me get to where I am today.” - Jeremy Killion Ute Guard 1998-2000 and Academic All-Mountain West Conference Works for Pfizer Pharmecuticals in Phoenix, Ariz. W W W . U T A H U T E S . C O M
133
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
ANDRE MILLER For all of his success as a player, two-time All-American Andre Miller perhaps made his biggest strides at Utah in the classroom. Miller, who entered the U. as a non-qualifier academically under NCAA admission standards, was one of the first athletes to take advantage of the NCAA rule allowing an extra year of eligibility for those who graduate in four years. Miller earned his bachelor’s degree from Utah in the spring of 1998 and took graduate course work during the 1998-99 academic year.
“For everything that Andre Miller has achieved in the athletic arena, I am much more proud of his accomplishments as a student than as an athlete.” - Rick Majerus Majerus congratulates Andre Miller at his graduation in June of 1998.
DREW HANSEN Drew Hansen (left) won the 1997 Playboy Magazine Anson Mount ScholarAthlete Award for basketball, was a Rhodes Scholar candidate, an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship winner and a finalist for the Walter Byers Award, the highest academic award given by the NCAA. Hansen also finished his career as Utah’s all-time leader in three-point field goal percentage (45.3) and games played (134). Hansen graduated from Stanford University Law School in May of 2001.
RHODES SCHOLAR CANDIDATES UNDER MAJERUS During his 19-year career as a head coach, Rick Majerus has coached three Rhodes Scholar candidates. Drew Hansen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Utah Rick Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ball State Marc Marotta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marquette
“Coach Majerus always emphasizes the fact that education is a higher priority than basketball. He makes it very clear early in the recruiting process that all student-athletes are expected to graduate. He, in fact, encouraged me to seek the highest level of education that I was capable of.” - Larry A. Cain, M.D. Ute Center 1989-93 and Academic All-WAC U. of U. Medical School Graduate in 1997 Currently Practicing Medicine in Pocatello, Idaho Larry Cain was a three-time academic all-WAC selection.
134
2 0 0 3 - 0 4
M E D I A
G U I D E
PROFESSORS ON UTAH BASKETBALL IN THE CLASSROOM Edward M. Trujillo Associate Professor of Chemical & Fuels Engineering Featured with sophomore chemical & fuels and enginnering major Chris Jackson, Dean’s List, honor roll and Academic All-Mountain West Conference selection
- Hanno Möttölä Ute Forward 1996-2000 Two-Time Academic All-American Second Round Draft Choice of the Atlanta Hawks in 2000
“Academics has always been a big emphasis for Coach Majerus. Hardly a day went by when he didn't mention how we needed to make sure our studies were taken care of. Like at any other good school, it's up to the individual to make sure that happens. If you want to get a great education, the University of Utah presents the opportunity for you to do so. The whole program is based on you being a student-athlete, not just an athlete. Coach Majerus emphasizes that and makes sure that everyone takes care of business in the classroom, as well as on the court.” - Trace Caton Ute Guard/Forward 1997-98, 2000-03 Verizon Academic All-District VIII 2003 Currently taking pre-med prerequisites at the U.
“Coach Majerus always pushed us to do well academically. He not only wanted us to succeed in the classroom, he wanted us to be prepared for life. I went through an excellent business program with very good instructors at Utah. Coach also saw to it that we had all of the resources available to us that we needed in terms of tutors and study time. My educational and basketball experience at the U. has helped me be successful.” - Jimmy Soto Ute Guard 1989-93 First Team All-WAC 1993 Works for Frito-Lay in Salt Lake City
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
“Coach Majerus creates an academic atmosphere that pushes everyone to reach their potential as a student. If you are an “A” student, he demands you get an “A;” if you are a “C” student, he demands you get a “C.” He also helps you appreciate and understand it is a privilege and an honor to have the opportunity to earn a college degree at University of Utah.”
“Chris is one of our top chemical engineering students, which is one of the hardest majors at the University. He’s been doing extremely well, and I presented him with an award at a seminar as the outstanding sophomore chemical engineering student in our class. I know the athletics department emphasizes academics strongly, and it’s been terrific. They put a strong emphasis on academics and I applaud them for that effort”
Dale A. Lund Professor of Geroutology & Sociology Featured with sophomore Tim Dridsom, honor roll student
“I am delighted to have men's basketball players in my classes because they bring with them an unusually high level of discipline and commitment to learning. They have already learned how to manage their time and are eager to do well because they know they are expected to excel academically. I enjoy being able to demonstrate how they can apply sociology to understanding how they are products of their own unique life experiences in combination with societal and cultural influences. It has been personally rewarding for me to follow many of these student-athletes after they leave campus and observe how they value their educational experiences at the University of Utah and how it enhances their daily lives.”
W W W . U T A H U T E S . C O M
135
PLAYING AT THE NEXT LEVEL A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
Rick Majerus has a proven track record of producing future NBA players. Utah has had four players taken in the NBA Draft since 1997, including three lottery picks selected in the top 13. In all, six Utes have been drafted during Majerus’ 14year tenure. Seven players have made NBA rosters. • Utah was equaled only by Duke with three NBA Draft lottery picks from 1997-99. • Majerus’ players have been ready to contribute immediately at the next level. Keith Van Horn, Michael Doleac, Andre Miller and Hanno Möttölä were taken in the NBA Draft in the last six years. Van Horn in 1997-98 and Miller in 1999-2000 made the NBA all-rookie first team, while Doleac made the allrookie second team in 1998-99. Möttölä became the first Finnish player in the NBA, playing two seasons with the Atlanta Hawks. • As a testament to the players’ belief in Majerus’ ability to develop talent, the last five Utes to move on to the NBA remained at Utah through their senior seasons. Doleac, Miller and Möttölä have earned their degrees. Britton Johnsen, who made the Orlando Magic as a free agent in 2003, continues to work toward his degree from the U.
NBA DRAFT PICKS UNDER RICK MAJERUS Year 1993 1993 1997 1998 1999 2000
Player Josh Grant Byron Wilson Keith Van Horn Michael Doleac Andre Miller Hanno Möttölä
Rd. 2 2 1 1 1 2
No. 43 54 2 12 8 40
Team Denver Nuggets Phoenix Suns Philadelphia 76ers * Orlando Magic Cleveland Cavaliers Atlanta Hawks
Keith Van Horn is congratulated by NBA Commissioner David Stern after being taken as the second overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft. Van Horn is Utah’s highest draft pick of the modern era.
* Traded to New Jersey after the draft
“Rick Majerus teaches the kids in his program the proper way to play basketball. What we need in the NBA are guys who understand how to work hard and how to play team basketball. He teaches that, and that’s why his program has been so successful and always will be.” - Billy King General Manager, Philadelphia 76ers
“You know when you draft a Utah player you get a guy who, one, knows how to play the game, two, knows how to work hard and, three, knows what it is like to have demands put on you. I bring my entire staff to watch a Coach Majerus practice because we learn so much. Also, it is so much fun to watch guys work hard and watch guys who love to play team basketball.” Josh Grant, the first Ute under Majerus taken in the NBA Draft, played for the Golden State Warriors during the 1993-94 season
- Greg Popovich Head Coach, San Antonio Spurs
136
2 0 0 3 - 0 4
M E D I A
G U I D E
RECENT UTES TAKEN IN THE NBA DRAFT A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
Britton Johnsen signed with the Orlando Magic as a free agent and made the 2003-04 regular-season roster.
Keith Van Horn
Michael Doleac
• Currently with New York Knicks • Philadelphia 76ers 2002-03 • New Jersey Nets 1997-2002 • Drafted in 1997 • 1st Round - 2nd Overall Pick • NBA All-Rookie First Team 1997-98
• Currently with New York Knicks • Cleveland Cavaliers 2001-02 • Orlando Magic 1998-2001 • Drafted in 1998 • 1st Round - 12th Overall Pick • NBA All-Rookie Second Team 1998-99
Andre Miller
Hanno Möttölä
• Currently with Denver Nuggets • Los Angeles Clippers 2002-03 • Cleveland Cavaliers 1999-2002 • Drafted by Cleveland Cavaliers in 1999 • 1st Round - 8th Overall Pick • NBA All-Rookie First Team 1999-2000
• Atlanta Hawks 2000-02 • Drafted in 2000 • 2nd Round - 40th Overall Pick • 1st Finnish Player in NBA History • Played in Spain in 2002-03 • Currently playing in Italy
W W W . U T A H U T E S . C O M
137
OTHER UTES IN THE PROS A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
Left: Keith Van Horn was a starter for New Jersey in the 2002 NBA Finals. He averaged 13.3 points and 6.7 rebounds, while shooting a team-high 44.0 percent from three-point range in the Nets’ NBA Playoffs run. Below: He was featured in Street & Smith’s 2000-01 Pro Basketball.
Andre Miller, who led the NBA in assists in 2001-02, was featured in the August 12, 2002 issue of Sports Illustrated after being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
138
2 0 0 3 - 0 4
M E D I A
G U I D E
Alex Jensen
Nate Althoff
• Playing in Turkey for a third season in 2003-04 • Played in the CBA in 2002-03
• Played in Italy in 2001-02
Byron Wilson
Ma Jian
• Played in South America 1994-2001 • Played in Spain in 2001-02
• Currently playing in China
Chris Burgess
Cameron Koford
• Phoenix Suns 2002 Training Camp • Playing in Poland in 2003-04
• Playing in Spain in 2003-04
A FAMILY ATMOSPHERE At Utah, you’re more than just an athlete. The Ute basketball program wants to ensure that your college years are well-rounded academically, athletically and socially. College is an important time in a student-athlete’s life, and the Utah family can always be counted on to provide support and encouragement during those years.
“There will always be one thing that will stand out to me about the University of Utah, and that was when my father died. Out of all the things that happened to me, there was nothing more special than when I was home in California, and I got hundreds of letters showing your appreciation for me and how much you care for me. That meant more to me than all of the cheering and all of the things you did for me while I was on the court.” - Keith Van Horn Addressing the fans at the Huntsman Center on the night of his jersey retirement in 1998.
“Coach has had a lot success in brothers playing for him. No question, when I saw Jeff having a good experience at Utah, that influenced my decision to come here. But, it goes beyond brothers. Utah just feels like a family atmosphere to me all around. The guys on this team really get along well. When we were on the court battling together, we were like a family and everyone looked out for each other.” - Britton Johnsen Ute Forward 1997-98, 2000-03 2001-02 Mountain West Player of the Year
BROTHERS IN ARMS Rick Majerus has literally made Utah basketball a family affair. Five sets of brothers have worn the Crimson and White during Majerus’ 14-year tenure. Jeff and Britton Johnsen had the unique opportunity from 2000-01 through 2001-02 to play together. Family Caton Chapman Jensen Johnsen Rydalch
Names (Years Lettered) Ben (96, 97) and Trace (98, 01, 02, 03) Keith (88, 89, 90) and Doug (94, 95, 96) Alex (95, 98, 99, 00) and Andy (96) Jeff (97, 00, 01, 02) and Britton (98, 01, 02, 03) Craig (90, 91, 92) and Mark (93, 94, 95, 96)
“Like my alma mater (UNC), the University of Utah basketball program has become a family where the atmosphere is about individuals caring for the program above self.” - George Karl Former NBA Head Coach Former player at North Carolina
“The Utah family was so good to Andre and me. I will never forget what Coach Majerus, the assistant coaches, the administration and professors did for Andre. Coach Majerus promised me one day Andre would get his degree. What Coach Majerus tells you he will do, he does. I miss Andre playing at the University of Utah.” - Andrea Robinson Mother of Former Ute All-American Andre Miller
Keith Van Horn has remained close to the Utah program. He took in a game at the Huntsman Center last season on Dec. 21.
W W W . U T A H U T E S . C O M
139
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
When you join the Utah basketball program, you become a part of a family. Made up of more than just players and coaches, it’s comprised of numerous people who have the best interest of the student-athlete as their top priority.
TALKING ABOUT MAJERUS A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
“Rick is one of the great college basketball coaches when it comes to caring about his players’ needs, development and academics. As far as putting a basketball team on the court, he has a tremendous basketball feel at both ends of the floor and he makes the game fun for the players.” - George Karl Former NBA Head Coach
“I’ve known Rick for about 20 years. I first met him through basketball camps and, watching him then, I knew he was going to be a great coach and he certainly has proven that. I think he does a terrific job with his players. He spends a lot of time with them off the floor as well.” - Jerry Sloan Head Coach, Utah Jazz
“Rick’s goal isn’t to prepare players for the NBA, yet that’s what happens. He gets guys to play the game the way it is supposed to be played: as a team. His players work extremely hard, and that’s why he has always had great teams.” - Jeff Hornacek Former Player, Utah Jazz
“Rick is definitely one of the best coaches in the country. He’s the kind of coach that stresses discipline. It was a great opportunity to work with and learn from him (in the summer of 1994) at the World Championship of Basketball games.” - Shaquille O’Neal Los Angeles Lakers
“This may sound crazy, but I’ve been in college and pro basketball for 40 years and Rick Majerus is the best coach I have ever seen in practice in preparing his team for a game. He is also one of the best bench coaches around.” - Frank Layden Former President and Head Coach, Utah Jazz Former Utah Basketball Broadcaster for KJZZ-TV
“Rick has the one great asset that you need to survive in college basketball today—the ability to communicate. He is a tremendous communicator, a salesman. He sells the Utah program. Every time I’m with him he is talking about Utah basketball in such a positive way. He has great energy and excitement. He knows how to win, he knows how to run a program. He can compete with anyone.” - Dick Vitale ABC/ESPN Broadcaster
140
2 0 0 3 - 0 4
M E D I A
G U I D E
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
“Rick came out of the woodwork. Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, if you want Rick to smile, talk basketball. He is outstanding, and whatever he gets he deserves because he has definitely paid the price. His knowledge is five years ahead of the game. The dedication, the work, the interest, it’s all there.” - Al McGuire Former NBC and CBS Broadcaster and Former Head Coach at Marquette Passed away on January 26, 2001
“Coach Majerus taught me everything I know about the game. As a freshman, I thought that I played hard, but he taught me how to truly play hard at all times— practice or games. When you play for Coach Majerus, it will change your work habits for life. This has given me a huge advantage in the NBA. Coach Majerus also taught me the excitement of basketball is five guys playing as one.” - Michael Doleac Ute Center 1994-98 and First Team Academic All-American New York Knicks
“Academics always came first whenever there was a situation between school and basketball. Coach Majerus always put the team first and wanted the team to go before the individual. I think that’s why our record was what it was. He cares about his players as people and wants to make sure players have a nice life after basketball and that they’re prepared for life.” - Rick Hall Political Science/Accounting Major at Ball State Rhodes Scholar Candidate and Walter Byers Award Winner
“When we hired Coach Majerus, I thought it would be interesting to talk to his players. So I said, ‘Tell me the name of the player at Ball State who played very few minutes. I’d like to talk to him.’ He gave me Rick Hall’s name. So I called. Rick, who was a very interesting fellow, said that, yes, he had been a starter his junior year, and then had played very little his senior year. ‘And how did you feel about that?’ I said. He said, ‘Next to my father, Coach Majerus is the most important man in my life.” - Dr. Chase Peterson University of Utah President when Rick Majerus was hired
“Coach Majerus taught me the heart of basketball when it comes to X’s and O’s. He instilled upon me what it means to be a competitor, and to work hard in practice and games. Now that I am in the professional ranks, I realize even more what a great teacher he is.” - Hanno Möttölä Ute Forward 1996-2000 and Two-Time Academic All-American Atlanta Hawks 2000-02 W W W . U T A H U T E S . C O M
141
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? As a part of the Ute basketball program, student-athletes are developed athletically, academically and socially, and leave Utah prepared to be successful in their future endeavors. Here’s a look a what some former Utes from the Rick Majerus era are doing.
CLASS OF 1990
Jimmy Soto
Tommy Connor • Lettered 1985-86 through ‘89-90. • Team captain in 1989-90. • Earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science in 1990 and a master’s degree in ESS in ‘93. • Graduate assistant coach for three years and an assistant coach for four years under Rick Majerus. • Fifth season as head men’s basketball coach and A.D. at Westminster College in Salt Lake City. • He and his wife, Kathryn, have three children.
M’Kay McGrath • • • •
Lettered 1990-91 through ‘91-92. Team captain in 1991-92. Graduated in 1992 with a degree in communication. Account executive in the sales department at KUTV-TV in Salt Lake City for nine years. • He and his wife, Angie, have two daughters (Madisen and Savanah) and two sons (Max and Calvin).
Craig Rydalch Lettered 1989-90 through ‘91-92. Team captain in 1990-91 and ‘91-92 Graduated in 1992 with a degree in sociology. Project manager for Rydalch Electric. He and his wife, Kena, have three boys (Judd, Luke and Beau).
CLASS OF 1993 Larry Cain • • • •
CLASS OF 1995 Ma Jian • Lettered in 1993-94 and ‘94-95. • Playing professional basketball in China. • He and his wife, the former Sara Tahkahashi, have two sons (Nathan and Evan).
CLASS OF 1992
• • • • •
• Lettered 1989-90 through ‘92-93. • Team captain in 1992-93. • Graduated in 1993 with a degree in finance. • Worked for State Farm Insurance in Salt Lake City. • Currently with Frito-Lay in Salt Lake City as a sales representative.
Lettered 1989-90 through ‘92-93. Team captain in 1992-93. Graduated from the U. medical school in 1997. Practicing medicine in Pocatello, Idaho.
CLASS OF 1996 Terry Preston • Lettered 1993-94 through ‘95-96. • Graduated in 1996 with a degree in exercise and sport science. Earned MBA in the spring of 2001. • Worked for the U. as Crimson Club Director. • Joined Guidant medical devise company in May of 2001. • He and his wife, former Ute All-American gymnast Aimee Trepanier, have a son (Chase) and live in Fort Collins, Colo.
Mark Rydalch • Lettered 1992-93 through ‘95-96. • Graduated in 1996 with a degree in finance. • Works for Rydalch Electric as business development director. • Is in his fourth season as Utah basketball radio analyst. • He and his wife, Amy, have two sons (Trevor and Jacob) and a daughter (Rachel).
CLASS OF 1997 Ben Caton
Josh Grant • • • • •
Lettered 1988-89 through ‘92-93. Team captain in 1990-91, ‘91-92 and ‘92-93 Graduated in 1993 with a degree in speech communication. Taken by the Denver Nuggets in the 1993 NBA Draft. Played for the Golden State Warriors in 1993-94.
• Lettered 1995-96 through ‘96-97. • Team captain in 1996-97. • Earned exercise and sport science degree in 1997. • Works for State Farm Insurance in Salt Lake City. • He and his wife, Angie, have two daughters (Kelsey and Shaundi).
Keith Van Horn Byron Wilson • • • •
Lettered 1990-91 through ‘92-93. Team captain in 1992-93 Graduated in 1995 with a degree in sociology. Played professional basketball in South America for seven years and in Spain in 2001-02. • Currently living in Salt Lake City • Has a daughter (Jordan).
142
2 0 0 3 - 0 4
M E D I A
G U I D E
• Lettered 1993-94 through ‘96-97. • Team captain in 1994-95, ‘96-97 and ‘97-98. • Taken by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1997 NBA Draft. Traded back to Philadelphia before 2002-03 season. • Played with New Jersey Nets 1997-2002. • Traded to the New York Knicks in the summer of 2003. • He and his wife, Amy, have a two daughters (Sabrina and Noelle) and a son (Nicholas).
CLASS OF 1998
CLASS OF 2001 Nate Althoff
• Lettered 1994-95 through ‘97-98. • Team captain in 1997-98. • Came back during the off-season to earn biology degree in the summer of 2002. • Taken by the Orlando Magic in the 1998 NBA Draft. • Traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2001. • Signed with the New York Knicks before 2002-03 season.
• Lettered 1997-98 through 2000-01. • Team captain in 2000-01. • Played professional basketball in Italy in 2001-02. • Graduated with a communication degree from the U. in 2003. Specialized in web design. • Working for VTrenz Marketing in Fargo, N.D. • Married to the former Katie Schneider.
Drew Hansen • • • •
Lettered 1994-95 through ‘97-98. Team captain in 1997-98. Graduated in 1998 with a degree in political science. Rhodes Scholar candidate, NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship winner and finalist for the Walter Byers Award, the NCAA’s highest academic award. • Graduated from Stanford University Law School in May of 2001. • Works for Sidley, Austin, Brown and Wood law firm in Covina. Calif.. • Married to former Utah women’s basketball player Emily Jensen.
CLASS OF 1999 Andre Miller • Lettered 1995-96 through ‘98-99. • Team captain in 1998-99. • Graduated in 1998 with a degree in sociology/ criminology. • Taken by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1999 NBA Draft. Played for Cleveland three years. • Signed with the Denver Nuggets in the summer of 2003. • Has a son (Duane).
CLASS OF 2000
CLASS OF 2002 Chris Burgess • Lettered 2000-01 through ‘01-02. • Played in the 2002 NBA Summer League with the Phoenix Suns and joined the team for its training camp. • Played professional basketball in Turkey in 2002-03. • Playing professionally in Poland in 2003-04. • Married former Ute women’s soccer player Lesa Zollinger in August 2002.
Phil Cullen • Lettered 1998-99 through 2001-02. • Taken in the 32nd round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by Seattle. • Spent the last three seasons in the minor leagues with the Mariners. Did a rehab assignment in 2003. • Continuing to work toward his degree in civil engineering from the U.
Jeff Johnsen • Lettered in 1996-97 and ‘99-00 through 2001-02. • Team captain in 2001-02. • Graduated in 2002 with a communication degree. • He and his wife, Bethany, have a daughter, (Kennedy) born in the spring of 2002. • Working in sales.
Alex Jensen • • • • •
Lettered in 1994-95 and ‘97-98 through ‘99-00. Team captain in 1998-99 and ‘99-00. Served a two-year LDS Church mission to England. Played in the CBA in 2002-03. Playing professional basketball in Turkey for a the third season in 2003-04. • Working toward his degree in finance during the summer.
Jeremy Killion • Lettered 1998-99 through ‘99-00. • Graduated in 2000 with a degree communication. • Lived in San Diego and worked Pacific Life Investment and Insurance Company in Newport Beach, Calif., for nearly a year after graduating. • Currently lives in Phoenix, Ariz., and works for Pfizer Pharmecuticals.
Hanno Möttölä • • • • •
Lettered 1996-97 through ‘99-00. Team captain in 1999-2000. Graduated in 2000 with a degree in economics. Taken by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2000 NBA Draft. First Finnish player in the NBA and played two years with the Hawks. • Played professional basketball in Spain in 2002-03. • Playing professionally in Italy in 2003-04.
CLASS OF 2003 Trace Caton • Lettered in 1997-98 and 2000-01 through ‘02-03. • Team captain in 2002-03. • Working toward his spanish degree from the U. Also taking pre-med prerequisites and will apply for Medical School. • Began working for the Lung Health Study at the U. Research Park in the fall of 2003. • Married Brittny Tripp on Aug. 10, 2002.
Britton Johnsen • Lettered in 1997-98 and 2000-01 through ‘02-03. • Plans to finish his communication degree from the U. • Joined the Orlando Magic as a free agent for the 2003-04 season. • Married Lindsey Bradley on April 19, 2002.
Cameron Koford • • • •
Lettered 2000-01 through ‘02-03. Playing professionally in South America Plans to finish his sociology degree from the U. Married Emilie Tidwell on June 14, 2002.
W W W . U T A H U T E S . C O M
143
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
Mike Doleac
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
AN ERA OF GREATNESS
BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE IN THE ‘90S
Conference Champions 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003
NIT 1992, 2001
NCAA Sweet 16 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998
NIT Final Four 1992
NCAA Elite Eight 1997, 1998
Conference Tournament Champions 1995, 1997, 1999
NCAA Tournament 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003
NCAA Final Four 1998
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
Team Kansas College of Charleston Kentucky Arizona Duke North Carolina Connecticut Utah Princeton Arkansas UCLA Cincinnati Xavier Syracuse Massachusetts
W 286 191 282 256 271 270 259 250 210 260 240 246 217 232 237
L 60 42 63 67 78 78 75 76 66 83 79 83 86 92 94
Pct. .827 .820 .817 .793 .777 .776 .775 .767 .761 .758 .752 .748 .716 .716 .716
Rick Majerus has molded the Utah basketball program into one of the nation’s best. From its record on the court to academic success in the classroom, there are few teams in the country that can compare to the Utes’ accomplishments. Securely entrenched among the nation’s elite, Utah basketball enters its 15th season under one of the top coaches in the game today. • During the decade of the ‘90s, the Utes won the eighth-most games in NCAA Division I with a 250-76 record. Utah’s .767 winning percentage over that 10-year period also ranked as the eighth-best in the nation. • In the last five seasons, the Utes have gone 116-43 (.730) to record the 13th-best winning percentage in NCAA Division I. • Majerus has led Utah to 10 NCAA Tournaments—including eight in the last nine years. The Utes have advanced to the Sweet 16 four times, the Elite Eight twice and the national championship game in 1998. • Utah placed third in the 1992 NIT Final Four. • Since 1990, Utah has the ninth-most top 10 finishes in the coaches’ poll with five. The Utes finished in the top 10 three consecutive years from 1997-99. • Utah won at least 27 games over the course of five seasons from 1994-95 through 1998-99. Only 13 times has an NCAA Division I program won 25 games in five consecutive seasons.
126
2 0 0 3 - 0 4
M E D I A
G U I D E
Keith Van Horn was mobbed by his teammates after hitting the game-winning shot for the second night in a row in the 1997 WAC Tournament semifinals against New Mexico.
• Utah posted a school-record 30 wins in 199091 and again in 1997-98.
• During Majerus’ tenure at Utah, his players have been named All-America five times—twice consensus choices—Academic All-America four times, conference player of the year eight times, and first team all-conference 19 times.
AP POLL TOP 10 FINISHES SINCE 1990 Team 1. Arizona Duke Kansas Kentucky 5. Connecticut North Carolina 7. Cincinnati Michigan State 9. Utah Arkansas
No. 10 10 10 10 7 7 6 6 5 5
UTAH’S SEASON END RANKINGS SINCE 1990 Above: Utah played Kentucky for the 1998 NCAA Championship at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The Utes were led by three Academic All-Americans (left to right): Drew Hansen, Hanno Möttölä and Michael Doleac.
1990-91 1992-93 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99
Right: Utah fans, shown here at the 1998 Final Four, have had a lot to cheer about during the Majerus era.
AP Poll 10 19 19 12 2 7 6
Coaches Poll 10 16 22 12 6 2 10
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS One of the trademarks of a Utah team during the Rick Majerus era is a stifling half-court defense. Since 1989-90, Utah has ranked in the top 30 in the nation 11 times in scoring defense, nine times in rebound margin, eight times in field goal percentage defense and eight times in scoring margin. • The Utes have ranked in the top 15 in the NCAA in scoring defense six times in the last 14 years. • Utah was ranked among the top 30 teams in the nation in rebound margin seven consecutive years from 1994-95 through 200001. • Thanks to its stifling defense, Utah has ranked in the NCAA’s top 30 in scoring margin six of the last nine years.
UTAH IN THE NCAA STATISTICS UNDER MAJERUS Scoring Defense 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03
Scoring Margin
17th (64.8) --10th (64.2) 22nd (9.6) 8th (61.6) ----16th (11.4) ----21st (64.9) 12th (12.7) 19th (63.9) 8th (12.9) --7th (12.8) 4th (57.6) 16th (12.4) 4th (55.4) 5th (15.9) 20th (61.8) --23rd (63.1) 29th (8.7) 13th (61.3) --14th (60.3) ---
FG Pct. Defense
Rebound Margin
Field Goal 3-Pt. FG Free Throw Win/Loss Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage
--25th (42.1) 6th (39.8) 4th (40.3) --15th (39.8) 14th (40.0) 7th (38.2) 6th (38.6) 29th (39.5) ---------
--30th (5.0) 10th (6.6) ----4th (9.8) 3rd (9.6) 15th (6.5) 1st (10.0) 9th (8.2) 26th (4.8) 15th (6.4) -----
------23rd (49.3) --18th (48.3) 19th (48.1) 5th (49.6) 22nd (48.0) 13th (47.7) 12th (48.2) -------
------------10th (41.0) 1st (79.1) 13th (39.6) 7th (74.7) --12th (74.3) --1st (78.4) --25th (72.5) --27th (73.0) ----19th (38.7) ------8th (40.5) --33rd (38.1) ---
--4th (88.2) --19th (77.4) --7th (82.4) 15th (79.4) 4th (87.9) 6th (88.2) 6th (84.8) ---------
W W W . U T A H U T E S . C O M
127
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
• Eleven of the 31 seasons with 20 wins or more in school history have come during the Majerus era.
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
CONFERENCE DOMINATION In the last 14 seasons under Rick Majerus, Utah has won 10 regular-season conference championships—including eight in the last nine seasons. The Utes were the WAC champions their last five years in the league (winning division titles the last three years) and have won a share of three Mountain West Conference regular-season titles. • The Utes’ 10 regular-season conference championships in the last 13 years is the most of any team in the nation over that period of time. Utah’s eight titles in the last nine years are tied with Valparaiso of the Mid-Continent Conference for the best mark over that time frame.
MOST REGULAR SEASON CONFERENCE TITLES SINCE 1990-91 Team Utah Cincinnati Kansas Kentucky Murray State Chattanooga Valparaiso Penn Princeton
Conference(s) WAC/Mountain West Great Midwest/C-USA Big 8/Big 12 SEC Ohio Valley Southern Mid-Continent Ivy Ivy
Titles 10 9 9 9 9 8 8 8 7
(Includes shared titles and divisional titles)
• Utah’s seven consecutive conference championships from 1995-2001 was the sixth-longest string of league titles in NCAA Division I history. UCLA won 13 consecutive conference titles (1967-79), UNLV captured 10 championships in a row (1983-92), Kentucky (1944-52) and Western Kentucky (1932-40) claimed nine straight, while Cincinnati took eight in a row (1995-2002). • Utah is the nation’s most dominant team in conference home games the past nine years with a 65-3 (.956) record. The Utes won 48 consecutive conference games in the Huntsman Center from Jan. 8, 1996 through Feb. 4, 2002.
Nick Jacobson cuts down the net after Utah clinched the 2003 Mountain West Conference championship.
MARCH MADNESS The thrill of playing in the NCAA Tournament, the premiere event in college basketball, has been virtually a yearly occurrence for Utah under Rick Majerus. The Utes have made 10 appearances in the “Big Dance” under Majerus, including eight trips in the last nine years. • During the Majerus era, the Utes have the 14th-most wins (17) and the 17th-best winning percentage (.630) in NCAA Tournament play. • Utah has made it to at least the second round of the NCAA Tournament all but once under Majerus. The Utes have made it to the Sweet 16 four times, the Elite Eight twice and the 1998 Final Four.
Rick Majerus salutes the crowd after Utah defeated Arizona in the 1998 West Regional final.
128
2 0 0 3 - 0 4
M E D I A
G U I D E
NCAA TOURNAMENT WINS SINCE 1990 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
Team Duke Kentucky Kansas North Carolina Arizona Connecticut Arkansas Michigan State UCLA Syracuse Maryland Indiana Cincinnati Utah Oklahoma State Temple Texas
Wins 44 39 34 33 29 28 25 24 23 22 21 19 18 17 16 16 16
1998 NCAA FINAL FOUR By defeating the top seed in the West and defending national champion Arizona 76-51 in the regional final, the Utes, seeded third in the region, advanced to the NCAA Final Four for the first time in 32 years. Led by West Regional MVP Andre Miller and another rising star, Michael Doleac, Utah had become a true Cinderella story heading into the nation-
al semifinal game against No. 1 ranked North Carolina. The Utes knocked off the Tar Heels 65-59 to advance to the school’s first NCAA Championship game since 1944. Utah jumped out to a 12-point lead over Kentucky in the national final before the Wildcats’ depth allowed UK to prevail 78-69. The 1997-98 team began the season with a school record 18-0 start and tied the 1990-91 squad for the most wins in Utah history with a 30-4 record.
Top left: Michael Doleac, Andre MIller and Drew Hansen field questions from the media at a press conference. Top right: The tip-off of the national championship game between the Utes and Kentucky. Right: Utah’s 1998 national runner-up trophy. Bottom right: Utah fans celebrate with Swoop and the cheerleaders at a Final Four pep rally on San Antonio’s famed river walk. Bottom left: The Utes take the floor of the Alamodome.
W W W . U T A H U T E S . C O M
129
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
Knocking off two No. 1 seeds along the way, the Runnin’ Utes captured the hearts of basketball fans across the nation by advancing to the 1998 NCAA title game at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
A LOOK AT THE HEAD COACH A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
WINNINGEST ACTIVE DIVISION I COACHES (Minimum five years of experience)
Majerus shown with two of the finest to play for him in the Crimson and White: Consensus first team All-American Andre Miller and first team Academic All-American Drew Hansen at the 1998 Final Four.
Rick Majerus has orchestrated the most successful 14-year stretch in the history of Utah basketball. Owner of a 308-90 record (.774) since coming to the U. in 1989, Majerus has averaged 22 wins per year, becoming the winningest coach in modern times on The Hill. Majerus has led the Utes to seven 25-win seasons and eleven 20-win seasons.
• By notching his 400th career victory during the 2002-03 season, Majerus became the 16th-fastest coach to reach 400 wins, taking just 538 games. He is one of just 12 coaches all-time to win 400 games in 19 seasons or less. • Majerus has earned five national coach of the year awards during his career at Utah and six overall. He is also a seven-time district coach of the year, a one-time region coach of the year, and a five-time conference coach of the year.
Coach, Current School Roy Williams, North Carolina Jim Boeheim, Syracuse Lute Olsen, Arizona Rick Majerus, Utah Mike Krzyzewski, Duke Bob Huggins, Cincinnati Rick Pitino, Louisville Tubby Smith, Kentucky Bob Knight, Texas Tech John Chaney, Temple John Calipari, Memphis Eddie Sutton, Oklahoma State Tom Izzo, Michigan State Pat Douglas, UC Irvine Jim Calhoun, Connecticut
Coach, Last School Clair Bee, LIU-Brooklyn Adolph Rupp, Kentucky Roy Williams, North Carolina John Wooden, UCLA John Kreese, Charleston Jerry Tarkanian, Fresno State Dean Smith, North Carolina Harry Fisher, Army Frank Keaney, Rhode Island George Keogan, Notre Dame Jack Ramsay, St. Joseph’s Vic Bubas, Duke Chick Davies, Duquesne Ray Mears, Tennessee Jim Boeheim, Syracuse Lute Olsen, Arizona Rick Majerus, Utah Phog Allen, Kansas Al McGuire, Marquette Everett Case, N.C. State ▼
▼ ▼
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.
▼
2 0 0 3 - 0 4
M E D I A
G U I D E
W 418 653 690 407 663 517 396 288 809 693 260 724 189 471 647
L 101 226 240 142 234 184 144 109 311 269 101 288 78 196 296
Pct. .805 .743 .742 .741 .739 .738 .733 .725 .722 .720 .720 .715 .708 .706 .686
(Minimum 10 years of experience)
= active coach
Majerus, regarded highly for his overall knowledge of the game of basketball, broke down the 2001 NCAA Tournament brackets with Gary Miller on ESPN’s “Up Close.”
130
Yrs. 15 27 30 19 28 22 17 12 37 31 11 33 8 22 31
WINNINGEST DIVISION I COACHES ALL-TIME
▼
• Majerus is the fourth-winningest active coach in the nation with a .741 winning percentage in 19 seasons. He is also ranked among the top 20 in all-time winning percentage, currently listed 17th.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
Yrs. 21 41 15 29 23 31 36 13 27 24 11 10 21 21 27 30 19 48 20 18
W 412 876 418 664 560 778 879 147 387 385 231 213 314 399 653 690 407 746 405 376
L 87 190 101 162 143 202 254 44 117 117 71 67 106 135 226 240 142 264 143 133
Pct. .826 .822 .805 .804 .797 .794 .776 .770 .768 .767 .765 .761 .748 .747 .743 .742 .741 .739 .739 .739
After Utah’s appearance in the 1998 NCAA Final Four, Majerus was in high demand on the talk show circuit. One of Majerus’ appearances was on NBC’s “The Tonight Show.” He is shown here with host Jay Leno (top) and comedian Billy Crystal (right).
• One of the most recognizable personalities in college basketball, Majerus has been a frequent guest on TV and radio sports talk shows. He has lent his expertise as a television analyst, as well. Majerus was a part of CBS’ NCAA Tournament coverage for two weeks in 1999 and worked the Final Four. From 1997-2000, he was an NBA Draft analyst for TNT (below).
• Majerus’ record in the NCAA Tournament at Utah is 17-10 (.630), guiding the Utes to the Sweet 16 four times, the Elite Eight twice and one Final Four. His all-time mark in the “Big Dance” is 18-11 (.621).
Majerus appeared at Chicago’s famed Wrigley Field in August of 1999 as the guest conductor of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh inning stretch.
Majerus, directing the Utes in the 1998 NCAA Final Four, has coached in three Final Fours. He went to two as an assistant coach with Marquette.
“Coach Majerus is a great teacher of the game of basketball in all aspects. He has taught me the small things that I need to know to make myself into the best player that I can become.” - Nick Jacobson Ute Guard All-Mountain West Conference 2002-2003
W W W . U T A H U T E S . C O M
131
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
• Majerus’ life story, numerous anecdotes and highlights of his coaching career are documented in his autobiography, “My Life On a Napkin: Pillow Mints, Playground Dreams and Coaching the Runnin’ Utes.” The book, co-authored with ESPN The Magazine senior writer Gene Wojciechowski, was released in the spring of 1999. All proceeds from the sale of the book are going toward breast cancer research.
DEVELOPING THE BEST
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
The success of Rick Majerus’ teams at Utah can be tied directly to the coach’s success rate of developing talented players within his program. The list of conference awards won by Utes during the Majerus Era is lengthy. • Six of the last nine players of the year in the WAC and Mountain West conferences have been Utes. Eight Utes have been named Player of the Year under Majerus. • Utah players been prevalent on the all-conference team under Majerus. Since the 198990 season, 21 percent of those named all-league have been Utes. Last season, Utah led the Mountain West with four allleague selections.
CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR UNDER RICK MAJERUS 1991 1993 1995 1996
Josh Grant Josh Grant Keith Van Horn Keith Van Horn
1997 1999 2000 2002
Keith Van Horn Andre Miller Alex Jensen Britton Johnsen
Majerus was inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. He is also a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame in Utah.
Majerus was the godfather of Keith Van Horn’s daughter Noelle.
RICK MAJERUS BASKETBALL CAMP One of the greatest teachers of the game of basketball, Rick Majerus hosts his own basketball camp on a yearly basis at the University of Utah. • An average of more than 2,000 kids attend the six sessions of the camp an annual basis. The camp also brings in instructors from over 40 states. • Overnight, day and Junior Ute camps are offered in June, July and August for boys and girls in grades 1-12. For a brochure and more information on the 2004 camps, call (801) 585-6183.
2 0 0 3 - 0 4
M E D I A
Sports Illustrated polled 115 college basketball coaches during the 199899 season and asked the question, "If you could only go to one coaching clinic, whose would it be?" The top four vote-getters were: 1. Mike Krzyzewski, Duke 2. Rick Majerus, Utah 3. Dick Bennett, Wisconsin Bob Knight, Indiana
• In addition to his own camp, Rick Majerus is in high demand as a speaker at conferences and coaching clinics across the country, making nearly 50 appearances a year.
Above: Along with instruction from Head Coach Rick Majerus, campers also get the opportunity to interact with former Utah players. All-American Michael Doleac (back left), now with the NBA’s New York Knicks, performs a drill with Majerus and Camp Director Scott Garson.
132
HIGHLY REGARDED BY HIS PEERS
G U I D E
A COMMITMENT TO ACADEMICS • In the last six years, Utah has had four Academic All-Americans, more than any other NCAA Division I program. Michael Doleac and Drew Hansen were both named to the Verizon Academic All-America team as seniors in 1997-98. Hanno Möttölä was named to the second team in 1998-99 and the third team in 1999-2000. • With Doleac and Hansen, Utah became the first NCAA Final Four team to have two Academic All-Americans in its starting line-up in 1998. • During the last 14 years, 25 of the 40 student-athletes who played under Majerus as seniors received their degrees for a 63 percent graduation rate. Five more are still working to complete their degrees, which will raise the rate to 75 percent upon their graduation. • Forty-one players have made the honor roll a combined 170 times with a 3.00 GPA or better for a semester. • Utah has had an academic all-conference honoree every year under Rick Majerus; 10 times the Utes have had multiple academic all-conference selections. In all, Utah players have earned academic all-conference recognition 39 times since 1989-90. • Last season, the Utes earned 10 honor roll citations. Three players were named academic all-Mountain West Conference.
ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS UNDER RICK MAJERUS 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
For everything Utah’s student-athletes have achieved on the court, they have been equally successful in the classroom. In Rick Majerus’ program, academics are prioritized first, basketball second.
Michael Doleac, Dew Hansen Hanno Möttölä Hanno Möttölä
ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS UNDER RICK MAJERUS 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03
Keith Chapman, Tommy Connor, Jon Hansen Larry Cain Larry Cain, M’Kay McGrath, Jimmy Soto, Matt Wiese Larry Cain Mark Rydalch, Terry Preston, Ryan Hunt Terry Preston Drew Hansen, Terry Preston Ben Caton, Drew Hansen, Michael Doleac Michael Doleac, Drew Hansen, Trace Caton Hanno Möttölä, Adam Sharp Jeremy Killion, Hanno Möttölä, Mike Puzey, Adam Sharp Lance Allred, Chris Burgess, Trace Caton, Mike Puzey Lance Allred, Trace Caton, Nick Jacobson, Martin Osimani, Eric Osmundson Trace Caton, Chris Jackson, Nick Jacobson
RETURNING ACADEMIC ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST SELECTIONS
Chris Jackson Chemical and Fuels Engineering
Hanno Möttölä was a two-time Academic All-American
Nick Jacobson Business
“The coaches and the entire athletic department staff at Utah work 100% for you to get 100% out of you, both on and off the court. The coaching staff, in particular, does absolutely everything they can for you. No question, you have to go to class. If you don’t, you won’t play. They don’t expect you to get “A”s, but they do expect you give an “A” effort. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. My experience at the University of Utah, both in the classroom and through basketball, helped me get to where I am today.” - Jeremy Killion Ute Guard 1998-2000 and Academic All-Mountain West Conference Works for Pfizer Pharmecuticals in Phoenix, Ariz. W W W . U T A H U T E S . C O M
133
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
ANDRE MILLER For all of his success as a player, two-time All-American Andre Miller perhaps made his biggest strides at Utah in the classroom. Miller, who entered the U. as a non-qualifier academically under NCAA admission standards, was one of the first athletes to take advantage of the NCAA rule allowing an extra year of eligibility for those who graduate in four years. Miller earned his bachelor’s degree from Utah in the spring of 1998 and took graduate course work during the 1998-99 academic year.
“For everything that Andre Miller has achieved in the athletic arena, I am much more proud of his accomplishments as a student than as an athlete.” - Rick Majerus Majerus congratulates Andre Miller at his graduation in June of 1998.
DREW HANSEN Drew Hansen (left) won the 1997 Playboy Magazine Anson Mount ScholarAthlete Award for basketball, was a Rhodes Scholar candidate, an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship winner and a finalist for the Walter Byers Award, the highest academic award given by the NCAA. Hansen also finished his career as Utah’s all-time leader in three-point field goal percentage (45.3) and games played (134). Hansen graduated from Stanford University Law School in May of 2001.
RHODES SCHOLAR CANDIDATES UNDER MAJERUS During his 19-year career as a head coach, Rick Majerus has coached three Rhodes Scholar candidates. Drew Hansen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Utah Rick Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ball State Marc Marotta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marquette
“Coach Majerus always emphasizes the fact that education is a higher priority than basketball. He makes it very clear early in the recruiting process that all student-athletes are expected to graduate. He, in fact, encouraged me to seek the highest level of education that I was capable of.” - Larry A. Cain, M.D. Ute Center 1989-93 and Academic All-WAC U. of U. Medical School Graduate in 1997 Currently Practicing Medicine in Pocatello, Idaho Larry Cain was a three-time academic all-WAC selection.
134
2 0 0 3 - 0 4
M E D I A
G U I D E
PROFESSORS ON UTAH BASKETBALL IN THE CLASSROOM Edward M. Trujillo Associate Professor of Chemical & Fuels Engineering Featured with sophomore chemical & fuels and enginnering major Chris Jackson, Dean’s List, honor roll and Academic All-Mountain West Conference selection
- Hanno Möttölä Ute Forward 1996-2000 Two-Time Academic All-American Second Round Draft Choice of the Atlanta Hawks in 2000
“Academics has always been a big emphasis for Coach Majerus. Hardly a day went by when he didn't mention how we needed to make sure our studies were taken care of. Like at any other good school, it's up to the individual to make sure that happens. If you want to get a great education, the University of Utah presents the opportunity for you to do so. The whole program is based on you being a student-athlete, not just an athlete. Coach Majerus emphasizes that and makes sure that everyone takes care of business in the classroom, as well as on the court.” - Trace Caton Ute Guard/Forward 1997-98, 2000-03 Verizon Academic All-District VIII 2003 Currently taking pre-med prerequisites at the U.
“Coach Majerus always pushed us to do well academically. He not only wanted us to succeed in the classroom, he wanted us to be prepared for life. I went through an excellent business program with very good instructors at Utah. Coach also saw to it that we had all of the resources available to us that we needed in terms of tutors and study time. My educational and basketball experience at the U. has helped me be successful.” - Jimmy Soto Ute Guard 1989-93 First Team All-WAC 1993 Works for Frito-Lay in Salt Lake City
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
“Coach Majerus creates an academic atmosphere that pushes everyone to reach their potential as a student. If you are an “A” student, he demands you get an “A;” if you are a “C” student, he demands you get a “C.” He also helps you appreciate and understand it is a privilege and an honor to have the opportunity to earn a college degree at University of Utah.”
“Chris is one of our top chemical engineering students, which is one of the hardest majors at the University. He’s been doing extremely well, and I presented him with an award at a seminar as the outstanding sophomore chemical engineering student in our class. I know the athletics department emphasizes academics strongly, and it’s been terrific. They put a strong emphasis on academics and I applaud them for that effort”
Dale A. Lund Professor of Geroutology & Sociology Featured with sophomore Tim Dridsom, honor roll student
“I am delighted to have men's basketball players in my classes because they bring with them an unusually high level of discipline and commitment to learning. They have already learned how to manage their time and are eager to do well because they know they are expected to excel academically. I enjoy being able to demonstrate how they can apply sociology to understanding how they are products of their own unique life experiences in combination with societal and cultural influences. It has been personally rewarding for me to follow many of these student-athletes after they leave campus and observe how they value their educational experiences at the University of Utah and how it enhances their daily lives.”
W W W . U T A H U T E S . C O M
135
PLAYING AT THE NEXT LEVEL A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
Rick Majerus has a proven track record of producing future NBA players. Utah has had four players taken in the NBA Draft since 1997, including three lottery picks selected in the top 13. In all, six Utes have been drafted during Majerus’ 14year tenure. Seven players have made NBA rosters. • Utah was equaled only by Duke with three NBA Draft lottery picks from 1997-99. • Majerus’ players have been ready to contribute immediately at the next level. Keith Van Horn, Michael Doleac, Andre Miller and Hanno Möttölä were taken in the NBA Draft in the last six years. Van Horn in 1997-98 and Miller in 1999-2000 made the NBA all-rookie first team, while Doleac made the allrookie second team in 1998-99. Möttölä became the first Finnish player in the NBA, playing two seasons with the Atlanta Hawks. • As a testament to the players’ belief in Majerus’ ability to develop talent, the last five Utes to move on to the NBA remained at Utah through their senior seasons. Doleac, Miller and Möttölä have earned their degrees. Britton Johnsen, who made the Orlando Magic as a free agent in 2003, continues to work toward his degree from the U.
NBA DRAFT PICKS UNDER RICK MAJERUS Year 1993 1993 1997 1998 1999 2000
Player Josh Grant Byron Wilson Keith Van Horn Michael Doleac Andre Miller Hanno Möttölä
Rd. 2 2 1 1 1 2
No. 43 54 2 12 8 40
Team Denver Nuggets Phoenix Suns Philadelphia 76ers * Orlando Magic Cleveland Cavaliers Atlanta Hawks
Keith Van Horn is congratulated by NBA Commissioner David Stern after being taken as the second overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft. Van Horn is Utah’s highest draft pick of the modern era.
* Traded to New Jersey after the draft
“Rick Majerus teaches the kids in his program the proper way to play basketball. What we need in the NBA are guys who understand how to work hard and how to play team basketball. He teaches that, and that’s why his program has been so successful and always will be.” - Billy King General Manager, Philadelphia 76ers
“You know when you draft a Utah player you get a guy who, one, knows how to play the game, two, knows how to work hard and, three, knows what it is like to have demands put on you. I bring my entire staff to watch a Coach Majerus practice because we learn so much. Also, it is so much fun to watch guys work hard and watch guys who love to play team basketball.” Josh Grant, the first Ute under Majerus taken in the NBA Draft, played for the Golden State Warriors during the 1993-94 season
- Greg Popovich Head Coach, San Antonio Spurs
136
2 0 0 3 - 0 4
M E D I A
G U I D E
RECENT UTES TAKEN IN THE NBA DRAFT A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
Britton Johnsen signed with the Orlando Magic as a free agent and made the 2003-04 regular-season roster.
Keith Van Horn
Michael Doleac
• Currently with New York Knicks • Philadelphia 76ers 2002-03 • New Jersey Nets 1997-2002 • Drafted in 1997 • 1st Round - 2nd Overall Pick • NBA All-Rookie First Team 1997-98
• Currently with New York Knicks • Cleveland Cavaliers 2001-02 • Orlando Magic 1998-2001 • Drafted in 1998 • 1st Round - 12th Overall Pick • NBA All-Rookie Second Team 1998-99
Andre Miller
Hanno Möttölä
• Currently with Denver Nuggets • Los Angeles Clippers 2002-03 • Cleveland Cavaliers 1999-2002 • Drafted by Cleveland Cavaliers in 1999 • 1st Round - 8th Overall Pick • NBA All-Rookie First Team 1999-2000
• Atlanta Hawks 2000-02 • Drafted in 2000 • 2nd Round - 40th Overall Pick • 1st Finnish Player in NBA History • Played in Spain in 2002-03 • Currently playing in Italy
W W W . U T A H U T E S . C O M
137
OTHER UTES IN THE PROS A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
Left: Keith Van Horn was a starter for New Jersey in the 2002 NBA Finals. He averaged 13.3 points and 6.7 rebounds, while shooting a team-high 44.0 percent from three-point range in the Nets’ NBA Playoffs run. Below: He was featured in Street & Smith’s 2000-01 Pro Basketball.
Andre Miller, who led the NBA in assists in 2001-02, was featured in the August 12, 2002 issue of Sports Illustrated after being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
138
2 0 0 3 - 0 4
M E D I A
G U I D E
Alex Jensen
Nate Althoff
• Playing in Turkey for a third season in 2003-04 • Played in the CBA in 2002-03
• Played in Italy in 2001-02
Byron Wilson
Ma Jian
• Played in South America 1994-2001 • Played in Spain in 2001-02
• Currently playing in China
Chris Burgess
Cameron Koford
• Phoenix Suns 2002 Training Camp • Playing in Poland in 2003-04
• Playing in Spain in 2003-04
A FAMILY ATMOSPHERE At Utah, you’re more than just an athlete. The Ute basketball program wants to ensure that your college years are well-rounded academically, athletically and socially. College is an important time in a student-athlete’s life, and the Utah family can always be counted on to provide support and encouragement during those years.
“There will always be one thing that will stand out to me about the University of Utah, and that was when my father died. Out of all the things that happened to me, there was nothing more special than when I was home in California, and I got hundreds of letters showing your appreciation for me and how much you care for me. That meant more to me than all of the cheering and all of the things you did for me while I was on the court.” - Keith Van Horn Addressing the fans at the Huntsman Center on the night of his jersey retirement in 1998.
“Coach has had a lot success in brothers playing for him. No question, when I saw Jeff having a good experience at Utah, that influenced my decision to come here. But, it goes beyond brothers. Utah just feels like a family atmosphere to me all around. The guys on this team really get along well. When we were on the court battling together, we were like a family and everyone looked out for each other.” - Britton Johnsen Ute Forward 1997-98, 2000-03 2001-02 Mountain West Player of the Year
BROTHERS IN ARMS Rick Majerus has literally made Utah basketball a family affair. Five sets of brothers have worn the Crimson and White during Majerus’ 14-year tenure. Jeff and Britton Johnsen had the unique opportunity from 2000-01 through 2001-02 to play together. Family Caton Chapman Jensen Johnsen Rydalch
Names (Years Lettered) Ben (96, 97) and Trace (98, 01, 02, 03) Keith (88, 89, 90) and Doug (94, 95, 96) Alex (95, 98, 99, 00) and Andy (96) Jeff (97, 00, 01, 02) and Britton (98, 01, 02, 03) Craig (90, 91, 92) and Mark (93, 94, 95, 96)
“Like my alma mater (UNC), the University of Utah basketball program has become a family where the atmosphere is about individuals caring for the program above self.” - George Karl Former NBA Head Coach Former player at North Carolina
“The Utah family was so good to Andre and me. I will never forget what Coach Majerus, the assistant coaches, the administration and professors did for Andre. Coach Majerus promised me one day Andre would get his degree. What Coach Majerus tells you he will do, he does. I miss Andre playing at the University of Utah.” - Andrea Robinson Mother of Former Ute All-American Andre Miller
Keith Van Horn has remained close to the Utah program. He took in a game at the Huntsman Center last season on Dec. 21.
W W W . U T A H U T E S . C O M
139
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
When you join the Utah basketball program, you become a part of a family. Made up of more than just players and coaches, it’s comprised of numerous people who have the best interest of the student-athlete as their top priority.
TALKING ABOUT MAJERUS A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
“Rick is one of the great college basketball coaches when it comes to caring about his players’ needs, development and academics. As far as putting a basketball team on the court, he has a tremendous basketball feel at both ends of the floor and he makes the game fun for the players.” - George Karl Former NBA Head Coach
“I’ve known Rick for about 20 years. I first met him through basketball camps and, watching him then, I knew he was going to be a great coach and he certainly has proven that. I think he does a terrific job with his players. He spends a lot of time with them off the floor as well.” - Jerry Sloan Head Coach, Utah Jazz
“Rick’s goal isn’t to prepare players for the NBA, yet that’s what happens. He gets guys to play the game the way it is supposed to be played: as a team. His players work extremely hard, and that’s why he has always had great teams.” - Jeff Hornacek Former Player, Utah Jazz
“Rick is definitely one of the best coaches in the country. He’s the kind of coach that stresses discipline. It was a great opportunity to work with and learn from him (in the summer of 1994) at the World Championship of Basketball games.” - Shaquille O’Neal Los Angeles Lakers
“This may sound crazy, but I’ve been in college and pro basketball for 40 years and Rick Majerus is the best coach I have ever seen in practice in preparing his team for a game. He is also one of the best bench coaches around.” - Frank Layden Former President and Head Coach, Utah Jazz Former Utah Basketball Broadcaster for KJZZ-TV
“Rick has the one great asset that you need to survive in college basketball today—the ability to communicate. He is a tremendous communicator, a salesman. He sells the Utah program. Every time I’m with him he is talking about Utah basketball in such a positive way. He has great energy and excitement. He knows how to win, he knows how to run a program. He can compete with anyone.” - Dick Vitale ABC/ESPN Broadcaster
140
2 0 0 3 - 0 4
M E D I A
G U I D E
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
“Rick came out of the woodwork. Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, if you want Rick to smile, talk basketball. He is outstanding, and whatever he gets he deserves because he has definitely paid the price. His knowledge is five years ahead of the game. The dedication, the work, the interest, it’s all there.” - Al McGuire Former NBC and CBS Broadcaster and Former Head Coach at Marquette Passed away on January 26, 2001
“Coach Majerus taught me everything I know about the game. As a freshman, I thought that I played hard, but he taught me how to truly play hard at all times— practice or games. When you play for Coach Majerus, it will change your work habits for life. This has given me a huge advantage in the NBA. Coach Majerus also taught me the excitement of basketball is five guys playing as one.” - Michael Doleac Ute Center 1994-98 and First Team Academic All-American New York Knicks
“Academics always came first whenever there was a situation between school and basketball. Coach Majerus always put the team first and wanted the team to go before the individual. I think that’s why our record was what it was. He cares about his players as people and wants to make sure players have a nice life after basketball and that they’re prepared for life.” - Rick Hall Political Science/Accounting Major at Ball State Rhodes Scholar Candidate and Walter Byers Award Winner
“When we hired Coach Majerus, I thought it would be interesting to talk to his players. So I said, ‘Tell me the name of the player at Ball State who played very few minutes. I’d like to talk to him.’ He gave me Rick Hall’s name. So I called. Rick, who was a very interesting fellow, said that, yes, he had been a starter his junior year, and then had played very little his senior year. ‘And how did you feel about that?’ I said. He said, ‘Next to my father, Coach Majerus is the most important man in my life.” - Dr. Chase Peterson University of Utah President when Rick Majerus was hired
“Coach Majerus taught me the heart of basketball when it comes to X’s and O’s. He instilled upon me what it means to be a competitor, and to work hard in practice and games. Now that I am in the professional ranks, I realize even more what a great teacher he is.” - Hanno Möttölä Ute Forward 1996-2000 and Two-Time Academic All-American Atlanta Hawks 2000-02 W W W . U T A H U T E S . C O M
141
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? As a part of the Ute basketball program, student-athletes are developed athletically, academically and socially, and leave Utah prepared to be successful in their future endeavors. Here’s a look a what some former Utes from the Rick Majerus era are doing.
CLASS OF 1990
Jimmy Soto
Tommy Connor • Lettered 1985-86 through ‘89-90. • Team captain in 1989-90. • Earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science in 1990 and a master’s degree in ESS in ‘93. • Graduate assistant coach for three years and an assistant coach for four years under Rick Majerus. • Fifth season as head men’s basketball coach and A.D. at Westminster College in Salt Lake City. • He and his wife, Kathryn, have three children.
M’Kay McGrath • • • •
Lettered 1990-91 through ‘91-92. Team captain in 1991-92. Graduated in 1992 with a degree in communication. Account executive in the sales department at KUTV-TV in Salt Lake City for nine years. • He and his wife, Angie, have two daughters (Madisen and Savanah) and two sons (Max and Calvin).
Craig Rydalch Lettered 1989-90 through ‘91-92. Team captain in 1990-91 and ‘91-92 Graduated in 1992 with a degree in sociology. Project manager for Rydalch Electric. He and his wife, Kena, have three boys (Judd, Luke and Beau).
CLASS OF 1993 Larry Cain • • • •
CLASS OF 1995 Ma Jian • Lettered in 1993-94 and ‘94-95. • Playing professional basketball in China. • He and his wife, the former Sara Tahkahashi, have two sons (Nathan and Evan).
CLASS OF 1992
• • • • •
• Lettered 1989-90 through ‘92-93. • Team captain in 1992-93. • Graduated in 1993 with a degree in finance. • Worked for State Farm Insurance in Salt Lake City. • Currently with Frito-Lay in Salt Lake City as a sales representative.
Lettered 1989-90 through ‘92-93. Team captain in 1992-93. Graduated from the U. medical school in 1997. Practicing medicine in Pocatello, Idaho.
CLASS OF 1996 Terry Preston • Lettered 1993-94 through ‘95-96. • Graduated in 1996 with a degree in exercise and sport science. Earned MBA in the spring of 2001. • Worked for the U. as Crimson Club Director. • Joined Guidant medical devise company in May of 2001. • He and his wife, former Ute All-American gymnast Aimee Trepanier, have a son (Chase) and live in Fort Collins, Colo.
Mark Rydalch • Lettered 1992-93 through ‘95-96. • Graduated in 1996 with a degree in finance. • Works for Rydalch Electric as business development director. • Is in his fourth season as Utah basketball radio analyst. • He and his wife, Amy, have two sons (Trevor and Jacob) and a daughter (Rachel).
CLASS OF 1997 Ben Caton
Josh Grant • • • • •
Lettered 1988-89 through ‘92-93. Team captain in 1990-91, ‘91-92 and ‘92-93 Graduated in 1993 with a degree in speech communication. Taken by the Denver Nuggets in the 1993 NBA Draft. Played for the Golden State Warriors in 1993-94.
• Lettered 1995-96 through ‘96-97. • Team captain in 1996-97. • Earned exercise and sport science degree in 1997. • Works for State Farm Insurance in Salt Lake City. • He and his wife, Angie, have two daughters (Kelsey and Shaundi).
Keith Van Horn Byron Wilson • • • •
Lettered 1990-91 through ‘92-93. Team captain in 1992-93 Graduated in 1995 with a degree in sociology. Played professional basketball in South America for seven years and in Spain in 2001-02. • Currently living in Salt Lake City • Has a daughter (Jordan).
142
2 0 0 3 - 0 4
M E D I A
G U I D E
• Lettered 1993-94 through ‘96-97. • Team captain in 1994-95, ‘96-97 and ‘97-98. • Taken by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1997 NBA Draft. Traded back to Philadelphia before 2002-03 season. • Played with New Jersey Nets 1997-2002. • Traded to the New York Knicks in the summer of 2003. • He and his wife, Amy, have a two daughters (Sabrina and Noelle) and a son (Nicholas).
CLASS OF 1998
CLASS OF 2001 Nate Althoff
• Lettered 1994-95 through ‘97-98. • Team captain in 1997-98. • Came back during the off-season to earn biology degree in the summer of 2002. • Taken by the Orlando Magic in the 1998 NBA Draft. • Traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2001. • Signed with the New York Knicks before 2002-03 season.
• Lettered 1997-98 through 2000-01. • Team captain in 2000-01. • Played professional basketball in Italy in 2001-02. • Graduated with a communication degree from the U. in 2003. Specialized in web design. • Working for VTrenz Marketing in Fargo, N.D. • Married to the former Katie Schneider.
Drew Hansen • • • •
Lettered 1994-95 through ‘97-98. Team captain in 1997-98. Graduated in 1998 with a degree in political science. Rhodes Scholar candidate, NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship winner and finalist for the Walter Byers Award, the NCAA’s highest academic award. • Graduated from Stanford University Law School in May of 2001. • Works for Sidley, Austin, Brown and Wood law firm in Covina. Calif.. • Married to former Utah women’s basketball player Emily Jensen.
CLASS OF 1999 Andre Miller • Lettered 1995-96 through ‘98-99. • Team captain in 1998-99. • Graduated in 1998 with a degree in sociology/ criminology. • Taken by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1999 NBA Draft. Played for Cleveland three years. • Signed with the Denver Nuggets in the summer of 2003. • Has a son (Duane).
CLASS OF 2000
CLASS OF 2002 Chris Burgess • Lettered 2000-01 through ‘01-02. • Played in the 2002 NBA Summer League with the Phoenix Suns and joined the team for its training camp. • Played professional basketball in Turkey in 2002-03. • Playing professionally in Poland in 2003-04. • Married former Ute women’s soccer player Lesa Zollinger in August 2002.
Phil Cullen • Lettered 1998-99 through 2001-02. • Taken in the 32nd round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by Seattle. • Spent the last three seasons in the minor leagues with the Mariners. Did a rehab assignment in 2003. • Continuing to work toward his degree in civil engineering from the U.
Jeff Johnsen • Lettered in 1996-97 and ‘99-00 through 2001-02. • Team captain in 2001-02. • Graduated in 2002 with a communication degree. • He and his wife, Bethany, have a daughter, (Kennedy) born in the spring of 2002. • Working in sales.
Alex Jensen • • • • •
Lettered in 1994-95 and ‘97-98 through ‘99-00. Team captain in 1998-99 and ‘99-00. Served a two-year LDS Church mission to England. Played in the CBA in 2002-03. Playing professional basketball in Turkey for a the third season in 2003-04. • Working toward his degree in finance during the summer.
Jeremy Killion • Lettered 1998-99 through ‘99-00. • Graduated in 2000 with a degree communication. • Lived in San Diego and worked Pacific Life Investment and Insurance Company in Newport Beach, Calif., for nearly a year after graduating. • Currently lives in Phoenix, Ariz., and works for Pfizer Pharmecuticals.
Hanno Möttölä • • • • •
Lettered 1996-97 through ‘99-00. Team captain in 1999-2000. Graduated in 2000 with a degree in economics. Taken by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2000 NBA Draft. First Finnish player in the NBA and played two years with the Hawks. • Played professional basketball in Spain in 2002-03. • Playing professionally in Italy in 2003-04.
CLASS OF 2003 Trace Caton • Lettered in 1997-98 and 2000-01 through ‘02-03. • Team captain in 2002-03. • Working toward his spanish degree from the U. Also taking pre-med prerequisites and will apply for Medical School. • Began working for the Lung Health Study at the U. Research Park in the fall of 2003. • Married Brittny Tripp on Aug. 10, 2002.
Britton Johnsen • Lettered in 1997-98 and 2000-01 through ‘02-03. • Plans to finish his communication degree from the U. • Joined the Orlando Magic as a free agent for the 2003-04 season. • Married Lindsey Bradley on April 19, 2002.
Cameron Koford • • • •
Lettered 2000-01 through ‘02-03. Playing professionally in South America Plans to finish his sociology degree from the U. Married Emilie Tidwell on June 14, 2002.
W W W . U T A H U T E S . C O M
143
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
Mike Doleac
