Reader comments: Cougars, Utes make it a blue-ribbon day
28 comments | Read story
Daniel | 3:56 a.m. June 13, 2008
Good PR.
SJ Bobkins | 4:37 a.m. June 13, 2008
PURE CLASS, thank you for making us fans with our sickening and hateful bias's look like jerks. Chelsea you get my vote for Utah Athlete of the Year. You are indeed a winner.
Comments continue below
Classy ladies | 4:52 a.m. June 13, 2008
Chelsea Shapard, you are a class act. There are bigger things in life than sports rivalries, and you demonstrated that even in the midst of preparing for the biggest races of your life thus far, service and respect for others was first in your mind and heart. This is the epitome of the BYU/UT rivalry: intense competition on the field, court, or track, but unity and neighborly kindness off the field or track. I wish you and your teamate also competing in the NCAA finals great success, along with my beloved Cougs. Classy ladies deserve support!
Anonymous | 6:29 a.m. June 13, 2008
Please notice that it is BLUE for first and RED for second.
True Blue through & through | 6:30 a.m. June 13, 2008
Class, pure class. Thanks Utes.
phillycoug | 6:31 a.m. June 13, 2008
Classy move Utes, Thank you
Cougar fan in TX | 6:56 a.m. June 13, 2008
What a cool gesture. It's nice to see that the petty immaturity that sometimes dominates the BYU/U of U rivalry can be set aside. Now if only the fans from our schools could follow their lead...
JWP Idaho | 7:01 a.m. June 13, 2008
Thanks. Amidst one of the greatest rivalrys in College sports, Cougars and Utes, it is wonderful to see the sensitive and thoughtful side of our athletes. A class act by any measurement.
RR | 7:22 a.m. June 13, 2008
I agree with this being true sportsmanship. I'm SO SICK of the useless trash talking by both sides. Just look at the most recent article about the Ute WR and the pathetic trash going on there. Men have turned into uncontrollable animals.
Great for this girl to do the right thing. I'm proud of her.
Great for this girl to do the right thing. I'm proud of her.
Cougar Fan | 7:28 a.m. June 13, 2008
THANKS! Good Luck to both the Utes and the Cougars in your competitions.
JMR | 8:04 a.m. June 13, 2008
Thank you, Utah Utes. Were a tragedy to take one of your athletes, I would hope my team - the one in blue - would do the same.
BYU fan | 8:18 a.m. June 13, 2008
Very classy, Utes.....
And us BYU fans are stuck with people like Anonymous 6:29.
Utes definitely own the high road today.
And us BYU fans are stuck with people like Anonymous 6:29.
Utes definitely own the high road today.
WinSum | 8:30 a.m. June 13, 2008
Great young woman. My observations over the years indicate the athletes from both schools are typically great competitors and good sportsmen. The fans could follow such a good example as this young woman. Best wishes to the athletes from both schools.
Ute Fan | 8:33 a.m. June 13, 2008
Love this Gesture!
If only fans and players on boths side of the rivaly could interanlize some of Chelsea's goodwill and class we'd all be better off!
I will remember this for a long time!
If only fans and players on boths side of the rivaly could interanlize some of Chelsea's goodwill and class we'd all be better off!
I will remember this for a long time!
Sierra Cougar | 8:53 a.m. June 13, 2008
Thanks Chelsea for setting such a wonderful example for other athletes, but also for the readers. One of the reasons for taking the high road is because it is less crowded. You certainly are in rare air with your gesture. Hopefully, some of the posters to these sports sites will learn from your example that kindness and good sportsmanship trump trash talk and other derrogatory comemnts every time.
I've enjoyed reading the posts on this topic, rather than the childish drivel often found here.
I've enjoyed reading the posts on this topic, rather than the childish drivel often found here.
Anonymous | 9:19 a.m. June 13, 2008
If find reading these forums very interesting. For the most part the only "hatred" between teams comes from the fans. The athletes are usually pretty good friends, yeah you want to win, but in the end it is just a game. Nothing more and nothing less, there are more important things in life. With all the corruption that exists in sport, I find it a sad commentary of our society when fans misbehave.
Thank you Chelsea for your example.
Thank you Chelsea for your example.
BlueCoug | 9:43 a.m. June 13, 2008
Once in a while a tragedy makes us pause to remember that sport is just a game and that there are more important things in life, like charity.
Thank you Chelsea for taking the BYU/Utah rivalry to a higher level, civility.
Thank you Chelsea for taking the BYU/Utah rivalry to a higher level, civility.
Rivalry? | 10:13 a.m. June 13, 2008
This is a great article about a classy student-athlete, and something I wish we could see more of in the media. Chelesa sets a great example for all student-athletes and Utah citizens.
As far as those blasting Utes/BYU fans alike for "needless" and "childish" banter, you need to remember one thing. A rivalry's existence hinges on the passion of the players and fan bases involved. That passion is a direct product of heated competition. Sure, it would be nice to see BYU/Ute fans act more civilized toward one another, but that's just the point. If they were to act that way there wouldn't be a rivalry in the first place. And we know how intriguing and exciting the rivalry is for so many in the state.
As far as those blasting Utes/BYU fans alike for "needless" and "childish" banter, you need to remember one thing. A rivalry's existence hinges on the passion of the players and fan bases involved. That passion is a direct product of heated competition. Sure, it would be nice to see BYU/Ute fans act more civilized toward one another, but that's just the point. If they were to act that way there wouldn't be a rivalry in the first place. And we know how intriguing and exciting the rivalry is for so many in the state.
Zoobie 55 | 10:34 a.m. June 13, 2008
What a nice, classy act by the Utes with the blue ribbon idea. For the most part the athletes seem to handle the rivalry stuff much better than the fans. Hopefully fans from both sides can learn from this kind act of compassion.
Ekim | 10:52 a.m. June 13, 2008
As a dyed-in-the-wool BYU fan, I sincerely apologize for Anonymous 6:29 a.m.
lezoave | 11:24 a.m. June 13, 2008
What an excellent example of kindness and caring. If every athlete held themselves to such a worthy road, they truly would be perfect role models.
Hyrum Smith | 10:10 p.m. June 13, 2008
Chelsea, thank you!
CTR | 12:45 a.m. June 14, 2008
I admit it...I only checked out this story to see what kind of bashing would come from it. I am thrilled that I found so many kind words directed to the Ute Chelsea for coming up with this idea. I know she is not the only kind and compasionate ute out there, just like I know that Anonymous 6:29 is only one of few that would say something bad about this gesture.
Congrats Chelsea for being so compasionate.
Hopefully the family of Chelsi Peterson know that the whole community (true red and true blue) are thinking of them and hoping they find peace in the coming days.
Congrats Chelsea for being so compasionate.
Hopefully the family of Chelsi Peterson know that the whole community (true red and true blue) are thinking of them and hoping they find peace in the coming days.
Thank you Chelsea & Utes | 12:30 p.m. June 14, 2008
What a wonderful expression of sympathy and care from the Ute Team!
I'm sure Chelsi Petersen's grieving family, teammates and friends are touched by your kindess.
Thank you for setting a great example for others to follow..
From a "true blue" Cougar fan.
I'm sure Chelsi Petersen's grieving family, teammates and friends are touched by your kindess.
Thank you for setting a great example for others to follow..
From a "true blue" Cougar fan.
Bigger than Life | 5:36 p.m. June 14, 2008
Chelsea, may we all follow your example! You have won my respect and love. Good luck to you all, UTES and COUGARS.
EARTH | 3:20 p.m. June 17, 2008
Thanks Chelsea, way to go. You are truly a great person. I am a die hard UTE fan and a Crimson Club Member. I am so proud of all of you. What a wonderful thing you did.
utah fan | 8:32 p.m. June 18, 2008
I know this is late but...
i know shappard personally and she is a top of the line athlete, teammate and friend. this is something she does all the time and its pretty cool she is getting noticed for it.
with things like this its not utah vs byu red vs blue nothin like that. its one athlete to another showing support.
RIP to Chelsi Petersen and to the family your in our prayers...
i know shappard personally and she is a top of the line athlete, teammate and friend. this is something she does all the time and its pretty cool she is getting noticed for it.
with things like this its not utah vs byu red vs blue nothin like that. its one athlete to another showing support.
RIP to Chelsi Petersen and to the family your in our prayers...
Add your comment
Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.
Words Remaining
Go Utes and Cougs.