BYU, Utah Commemorate 22nd Anniversary Of 9/11 Inside Football Stadiums
Sep 11, 2023, 11:02 AM

BYU football held a Tower Climb inside LaVell Edwards Stadium to commemorate the 9/11 anniversary. (Megan Nielsen, Deseret News)
(Megan Nielsen, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Twenty-two years ago, on 9/11, continues to be a day the United States of America will never forget.
The BYU and Utah football programs held stair climbs inside their stadiums to commemorate the thousands of lives lost on that tragic date in 2001.
Everyone who participated in the stair climbs at both stadiums walked 2,071 steps. That specific number represents the 110 floors of the World Trade Center towers that were attacked by terrorists 22 years ago.
9/11 Stair Climb at BYU, Utah Football Stadiums
At BYU’s tower climb, it was open to the public. They began the annual tradition two years ago on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Everyone climbing the stairs inside LaVell Edwards Stadium wore a badge representing one of the fallen heroes from the 9/11 tragedy.
Each person will climb in honor of a fallen hero,
wearing a badge and name with their picture on it. pic.twitter.com/3QYFWy36tY— David Almodova (@DKaulana) September 11, 2023
At the University of Utah, the school’s ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) members climbed the steps inside Rice-Eccles Stadium while carrying flags.
Members of our ROTCs climbed and descended the equivalent of 110 stories during the annual 9/11 Memorial Workout this morning at Rice-Eccles Stadium. #NeverForget 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/1jkQiF7W3Z
— University of Utah (@UUtah) September 11, 2023
The University of Utah has made this an annual tradition in honor of 9/11.
The Big 12 Conference sent a post on X that said, “We will always remember.” BYU is currently in the Big 12. Utah will join the league beginning in 2024.
We will always remember. pic.twitter.com/2annbGeLrj
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) September 11, 2023
State of Utah focuses on service to commemorate the 22nd anniversary
Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox declared today as “9/11 Day of Service.” To honor the thousands of individuals who lost their lives and always to remember them.
“We’ve declared today as 9/11 Day of Service as a way to honor those who lost their lives on that tragic day and to remember the heroes,” wrote Governor Cox on X. “We will never forget and will always defend the freedoms and ideals of our great nation.”
In the aftermath of 9/11, thousands stepped forward to help, demonstrating that what unites us is far greater than what divides us.
We’ve declared today as 9/11 Day of Service as a way to honor those who lost their lives on that tragic day and to remember the heroes. We will… pic.twitter.com/dewzbNp8tR
— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) September 11, 2023
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X (Twitter) and Threads: @Mitch_Harper.
Take us with you wherever you go.
Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports.