Utes to honor Elder Wirthlin with scholarship, decal

The University of Utah athletics department plans to establish an endowed scholarship in the name of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, a former Utah football player and a staunch supporter of the program for many years.

Initial contributors to the program include current Ute football coach Kyle Whittingham and former Ute football coach Urban Meyer. The Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin Family Scholarship, which will benefit the Utah football program, is being established with the support of the Wirthlin family, the U. and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Utah football team will honor Wirthlin's memory by wearing a decal bearing the initials JBW on its helmets in the Sugar Bowl.

Elder Wirthlin was a close personal friend to me and my family, said Whittingham. I learned a great deal from him over the years. He will be missed by all of us associated with Utah football, including our fans. I'm thankful to the Wirthlin family for helping us establish this scholarship in his memory. I hope Ute fans around the country will join coach Meyer and me in fully funding this scholarship. It is a great tribute to a great person.

For more information, or to make a contribution, contact the Utah athletics department at 801-585-8837.