The MUSS, Mighty Utah Student Section, is the University of Utah’s student fan club for athletics. It was started in 2002 and since has become a nationally recognized student section, especially in regards to their performance during football season. Charlotte LoConte and Ashley Pettigrew are both seniors and have participated in the MUSS for the entirety of their time here at the University of Utah.
When asked about what makes the MUSS standout as a student section Pettigrew said, “Just so much school spirit. The third down jump is very fun, everyone’s very loud. And that’s a good time.” Pettigrew further explained what she enjoys about her MUSS experience by saying, “They do free T-shirts and free food before the games.”
LoConte said, “I don’t feel like it’s any different than any other one.” In response, Pettigrew argued, “We have won student section of the year… Taco Bell student section of the year.” The MUSS won this annual award in 2021.
When asked about challenges and frustrations within the MUSS, LoConte said, “They don’t check anybody’s ticket. We have seats up front and there are freshmen with standing room only tickets that try to sit in the first row. And then security only comes down to like the fifth row, so they don’t even check the front section, which is what they actually should be checking.”
Pettigrew reflected on her experience from the game the day before by saying, “People just get really rowdy, especially in the back areas, … But most of the time, they just stay there. Last night I got pushed off the bench, like four times, because people were pushing,” she recalled. “But yeah, I think that could be better maintained.”
In reflecting on her time in the MUSS, Pettigrew said, “I like when they do interactive stuff, like they give us the little noise makers and the signs… So maybe just more stuff that, like, makes it interactive and fun.”
When asked if the cost of their ticket is worth their experience, LoConte says, “Probably, yeah. A season ticket is so expensive, it’s only $50, so if you go to every game, that’s so worth it.”
