On the foothills above the University of Utah sits a large U that lights up after home wins. If you are designing a custom Utah Utes jersey and want a name or number tied to something every Utes fan recognizes, the Block U is a strong choice.
Where the Block U Came From
According to the University of Utah, the hillside-letter tradition in the West began in March 1905, when UC Berkeley students built a "C" on a hill near their campus. Utah students built their own "U" later that same year, along with a graduating class number. Students had already been arranging rocks into their class years and painting them white.
In 1907, administrators replaced the loose boulders with a more permanent limestone structure. The U has been rebuilt and upgraded since then, but it has stayed in roughly the same spot above campus.
Lights, Repairs and a Campus Logo
- 1967: Just over 120 electric lights were added.
- Early 2000s: By 2001, vandals had smashed the lights and the concrete was cracking. Around 2005, a "Renew the U" campaign thickened the concrete and embedded LED lights. The campaign raised $200,000, matched by Ira and Mary Lou Fulton.
- Game days: The university lights the U red for home game wins and white for away games, switched on remotely from an engineering building miles away.
- Logo: As debates over Native American-themed logos were worked through in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, the Block U became the university's logo of choice.
Name and Number Ideas
Most custom Utah jerseys let you choose a nameplate and number. A few ideas:
- "BLOCK U" with 5: For 1905, the year students built the first U.
- "THE HILL" with 7: For 1907, when the limestone version went up.
- "LIGHT IT RED" with your favorite player's number: A nod to the U glowing red after home wins.
- 67 with your last name: For the year the U first got lights. Good if you want your own name on the back.
- "RENEW THE U" with 05: For the 2005 campaign. A leading zero reads well if the listing allows it; if not, use 5.
Short names fit best on youth sizes. "BLOCK U" is seven characters with the space, which sits comfortably on most adult jerseys.
Red, White or Black
Red is Utah's signature color and matches the "light it red" idea. The jersey shown above is listed as a red Vapor Limited style with the number 11. White makes a red number pop and works for road-game watch parties. Black is another option in some listings. Whatever you pick, make sure the number color contrasts with the base so the design reads from the upper deck.
Checklist Before Ordering
- Pick the base color, then decide the name.
- Confirm whether the listing accepts a leading zero before typing "05."
- Compare the size chart with a jersey you already own.
- Plan for layers if you will wear it to late-season games at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
To see which bases and numbers are available, browse this custom Utah Utes jersey collection and match one to your Block U idea.