More than six decades have passed since Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin competed on the gridiron for the University of Utah. No matter, the Quorum of the Twelve member can still sing his alma mater's fight song as if he were still suiting up for the Utes' football team.
Elder Wirthlin and his wife, Elisa, were special guests Aug. 26 at a University of Utah football kickoff party sponsored by the Latter-day Saints Student Association. The pep rally, held on the institute grounds adjacent to the university, brought out hundreds of LDS students and others excited for the Aug. 28 contest against in-state rival Utah State.
"This has been a wonderful evening for me," said Elder Wirthlin, a running back for Utah from 1935-1937. "It's brought back many, many memories of when I was here many years ago. The enthusiasm is greater than when I was at the University."
Elder Wirthlin has become a familiar face for members of the Ute football team. Last April the 86-year-old Church leader was honored during the squad's spring game for his contributions to the school, the community and the Church. Elder Wirthlin spoke to the team and coaching staff at midfield at Rice-Eccles Stadium and was given a game jersey. Elder Wirthlin told the young athletes to apply the principles of the Scout Oath to achieve in football. He was joined in the April 19 ceremony by Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve. (See May 3 Church News, page 14.)
During his pep rally comments, Elder Wirthlin told the students they were fortunate to have a leader such as newly hired football coach Urban Meyer. "[Coach Meyer] is much like Coach Ike Armstrong, who was here from 1925 to 1945. My hope is he'll stay with Utah."
Coach Meyer said he was proud to call Elder Wirthlin his friend. The two met several months ago and talked football.
A busy man, Elder Wirthlin still makes it to "every game I can attend — I love football."
Now years removed from his last touchdown, Elder Wirthlin says his tenure at the "U" has added much to his life.
"It's where I learned the rudiments of football which has helped me in business, in my Church assignment or whatever I had to do."
E-mail: jswensen@desnews.com
