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Nadine Wimmer Reporting A new campaign is underway to restore the symbol of the state's flagship school.
The U on the hill has a long tradition, but it's one that's showing its age. Today University officials launched an effort to restore it.
On campus or off, the block U is a proud symbol.
Sammy King/ Student: "If I can't go to a game for some reason, I always look to see if we won."
But up close, as residents have started noticing, the U has seen better seasons. With gaps and cracks underneath the foundation, University officials say the block U is close to collapsing. So they're launching an effort to provide a 400-thousand dollar facelift.
Marc Day/ Development Director: "The U on that mountain has been there 101 years and to have it shining and gleaming when we win is important."
Private donors have already offered matching funds for the U to strengthen the foundation, re-plant the hill. But the most exciting part of the project will be new state-of the art lights.
Marc Day: "Before each game you have a group of students replacing the lights. And after they have to go unscrew them because they break."
They hope to have the project done in time for this year's football season. Students and other Ute fans are eager to keep the Ute pride shining brightly throughout the valley.
Hailey Allen/ Student: "It's our U! We need it. Please fix it."
We tried to show you the flashing U tonight, but we're told the light bulbs weren't in-- a problem they hopefully won't have after this restoration.
To learn more about the block U campaign, read tomorrow's Deseret Morning News.
