Utah Sports: Chasing the Dream

Buy this now!
Length:	30 minutes.
Released:	February 3rd, 2002
Available in:	VHS

Utahns across the spectrum are often united by sports. Through the years, famous players and hot-shot teams have made headlines and etched their accomplishments into Utah's heritage. From high-school basketball to the NBA, Utah is marked by a rich and energetic sports landscape.

Produced by KUED-Channel 7's Al Cutler, "Utah Sports: Chasing the Dream" is a brief look at some of the athletes and competitions that have taken place in the Beehive state. This 30-minute film looks not at the statistics and headlines that have emerged from Utah's sports history, but the changes that took place in the lives of those athletes who competed. What led up to the 1944 "Cinderella team" victory in the NCAA championship? And what came to follow? Narrated by Craig Bollerjack, "Utah Sports: Chasing the Dream" premiered on KUED-7 Saturday, February 2, at 6:00 p.m.

Interviews with the athletes, sports writers and sportscasters who lived this chapter of Utah's past guide the viewer through the experiences of Utah sports legends, prior to their moments of glory. Many stories are told-and often exaggerated-but memories of athletic feats remain clear. Gene Fullmer recalls his experiences outside the ring as he was preparing to fight Sugar Ray Robinson in Las Vegas. Some viewers might find the outcome quite surprising. Alma Richards, a native-born Utahn, competed in the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden. Where did he find his strength? And who can forget the Cinderella team of 1944? Arnie Ferrin and Wat Misaka relive the heady days that led up to that unforgettable game.

"We all have stories, these are just a few of the many untold," says producer Al Cutler. "Though some of the storytellers who participated in "Utah Sports: Chasing the Dream" have passed on, their unique, inspirational stories live on in the hearts of fans across the state."