Daddy Daughter Date

By guest blogger, Mike

Dad and Haley watching Spring practice.

Of all my children, Haley seems to share my love for Utah sports.  She is the one that always begs to go to Utah football and basketball games with me.  She even likes to go to the spring scrimmage with me to watch the Utes practice.  While some dads regale their little girls with bed-time stories of princesses, fairies and unicorns, Haley prefers me to tell her about the 2009 Sugar Bowl, the 2005 Fiesta Bowl, and of course the great 1998 Ute basketball team that came up just eight minutes short of winning the National Championship. So, when I recently landed tickets to the Crimson Club Gala honoring basketball great Keith Van Horn and former football coach Ron McBride, Haley was my obvious choice to come along.

Van Horn dunks on BYU

Keith Van Horn and Haley

When we first arrived at the Gala, we made our way over to meet Keith Van Horn.  Keith is the all-time leading scorer in Utah basketball history and led the Utes to two Sweet 16s and an Elite Eight appearance.  He was drafted second in the 1997 NBA draft behind Tim Duncan.  He was really cool to Haley and talked to her about his two daughters named Noelle and Haley (which, my Haley thought was really cool.)

Haley couldn't believe how tall (6'10") Keith was until she met Keith's teammate Michael Doleac (7'1").  Haley was really excited to meet Michael Doleac, in part because of the story I have told her about when I prank called Doleac (if you haven't read that blog, you should check it out) after he passed up medical school to play professional basketball for the Orlando Magic.  Doleac led Utah to the Final Four and the Championship Game in 1998.  He was also a First Team Academic All-American.

Haley and Mike Doleac

Michael Doleac

Although Haley liked meeting basketball players that played for Utah when I was in school, she LOVED meeting Brian Johnson, the MVP of the 2009 Sugar Bowl and the youngest offensive coordinator in the country right now.  Haley has been a HUGE fan of Brian for as long as she can remember.  I honestly don't know if Haley would rather meet him or Peeta from the Hunger Games.

Brian Johnson after the 2009 Sugar Bowl

Last, but not least, we had a great time meeting Ron McBride, who deserves a lot of credit for turning around a once pathetic Utah football team and re-igniting the rivalry with BYU.

Ron McBride (L) with BYU coach Edwards

Go Utes!