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Aggies Elevated from left: Riley Cochran, Jenna Mosher, Taylor Henrie, Troy Shumway, Sarah Bullen and Natalie Allen.
A Thought on Elevating They so deserved the standing ovation they received at Utah State University’s 2016 commencement, sure they did. They helped nudge the world. They are pioneers. They faced what was once an impossible journey — and, in fact, still is in most other places, but not here, not any more — and they took that first, frightening step into the great unknown. Sarah Bodily, program director for Aggies Elevated, an inclusive on-campus college experience for young adults with intellectual disabilities, says when they arrived on campus two years ago each of her students — a bonafide pioneer every one — was overwhelmingly timid. This was USU’s first clutch of such. They didn’t say much those first couple of days, maybe not unlike many other freshmen, really. But for these students the change wrought by the halls of academia is now felt at a deeper level than it is for most. They’ve come to realize a little more what they want to do with their lives, Bodily says, what they want to do for a job, within independent living, social arenas. Their ability to advocate for themselves is monumental, let’s not forget that, she says. “Over the last two years each student has found their voice,” Bodily says. And what a thing to discover; imagine, will you? Imagine finding your own voice in a world not always quick to allow you access to it … or, for that matter, to any one of endless other things that are supposed to be yours. “They may still be a bit shy,” Bodily says, “but when it comes to what they want and how they are going to get there, they now really know the resources are available to get there.” That means so much, sure it does. It means that we at USU participated in something bigger and better than ourselves. “It’s something other universities have yet to see the vision for,” Bodily says. It means that we have six more members of the world citizenry — and 10 more up-and-comers who will be working toward the same certificate over the next couple of years — contributing to communities, applying for and receiving competitive paid employment, living independently, voting, volunteering, participating to the best of their abilities. It means they know they are in control of their lives. It means endlessly supportive parents and families can now smile their smiles and clap their hands and cry their tears and be presented their due, not just for championing their own students, but for clearing the path for all who follow. It means, darn right, we’ll give an enthusiastic ovation to Natalie Allen, Troy Shumway, Riley Cochran, Jenna Mosher, Taylor Henrie and Sarah Bullen, of course we will. It means that as Aggies, we’ve all been elevated. 6 UTAHSTATE I SUMMER 2016
Each year one of the favorite events in Aggie athletics is the dinner and induction ceremony where the latest class of Utah State University’s Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame is celebrated. This year’s festivities, for the Hall of Fame’s 14th class, are scheduled to take place Friday, Sept. 2, at the Riverwoods Conference Center in Logan. Three separate football AllAmericans, a three-time track and field All-American, a softball All-American, a former men’s basketball player and legendary NBA coach, a former football player and current contributor committed to the success and growth of Aggie Athletics, and one of the most successful men’s basketball coaches and administrators in school history comprise the latest class of Utah State University’s Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame. The eight inductees include: Deanna Earsley-Bowers, one of just seven Aggie softball All-Americans; Tom Forzani, an All-American and school-record holding wide receiver; Jim Helton, a three-time track and field All-American; Jim Hough, an All-American offensive lineman; Phil Johnson, a legendary NBA coach and former Aggie men’s basketball player; Dave Manning, an All-American offensive lineman; Steve Mothersell, a former Aggie football player and life-long contributor of Aggie Athletics; and Rod Tueller, one of the most successful head coaches and administrators in school history. A total of 95 individuals and three teams have now been inducted into the Utah State Athletics Hall of Fame. Located inside the Steve Mothersell Hall of Honor, the Utah State Athletics Hall of Fame gives fans the opportunity to view biographical information and watch videos on each of the inducted members. Both the Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor are located inside the Jim and Carol Laub Athletics-Academics Complex in the north end zone of Maverik Stadium.
