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USU Alumni Spotlight This month's spotlight, Ralph B. Maughan, practically needs no introduction.  Seldom have the lives of so many Utah State Aggies been touched by one individual.  Born and raised in Hyrum, Utah, Ralph has always been one of those exceptionally gifted athletes.  While earning a B.S. and M.S. at Utah State University, he lettered in football, basketball, and track and field.  He was named to the U.S. Olympic Team and went on to become the starting center for the Detroit Lions. Ralph's accomplishments did not end on an athletic field but extended to a field of a different kind - the battle field.  World War II brought unexpected challenges of enemy artillery fire, frozen limbs, and shrapnel wounds.  With typical speed, he went from running a bulldozer one minute to bazooka man the next and earned another frame filled with metals.  Two Battle Stars (Ardennes and Rhineland), the Purple Heart, and a Bronze Star are just a few of the many badges of courage awarded to Cpl. Maughan. After returning home to the U.S. and his young bride, Byrnece, Ralph completed his B.S. and M.S. degrees at Utah State and took up a collegiate coaching career.  He started first at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, and then returned to his alma mater.  Coach Maughan served as a USU assistant football coach for 17 years, 4 years as an assistant basketball coach, and 37 years as a track coach.  Of those years, 34 were spent as head track coach, earning him the distinction of having the track stadium bear his name. Ralph's list of publications, presentations, and professional activities are impressive.  His greatest accomplishment, however, is the positive influence he leaves behind on a thousand other Aggies.  He has taught us, taught our sons and daughters, what it really means to be a winner.  At Utah State University, we're very proud and honored to call him one of our own! Doug Robinson, a former track athlete and current Deseret News columnist, has written some wonderful articles about his former coach.  He has kindly agreed to share them through the following links: April 2002 article http://www.desnews.com/cgi-bin/libstory_state?dn02&0204020342 May 2002 article http://www.desnews.com/cgi-bin/libstory_state?dn02&0205280262 1988 feature: http://www.desnews.com/cgi-bin/libstory_state?dn88&8804270119 Details about Ralph Maughan

USU Soldiers Serving in Iraq
This month we want to recognize the sacrifices made by the many Utah State Aggies serving in the U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.  We're unable to list the names of all our alumni in the military, but we want to express our appreciation to them and their families.  To our soldiers, we acknowledge your efforts and success.  We value your tremendous personal sacrifice and look forward to a time when we can welcome you home.

A number of Utah State students, faculty and staff have also been activated and are serving as part of the U.S. military team in Iraq.  To read the details, including President Hall's comments, visit the following link: http://www.usu.edu/war/   

Dr. Rich Gordin, Sports Psychologist

Master's golf champion, Mike Weir, recently took time to credit his sports psychologist, Dr. Rich Gordin, for helping him to achieve his latest PGA victory.  Dr. Gordin is a popular Utah State professor in both the psychology department and physical education and recreation department.  He was a recent recipient of the Meet The Challenge award, which is given to those who provide great service to the USU student-athletes.  Dr. Gordin has been teaching at the university for 20 years and a sports psychology consultant for the past 25 years.  In addition to working with Mike Weir since January 1997, Dr. Gordin has also consulted for teams such as USA Gymnastics, USA Track and Field, the U.S. Fencing Association, U.S. Skiing and numerous professionals on the PGA Tour as well as the mini tours.  You can even find golf tips that will help improve your game on the Mike Weir web site at www.mikeweir.com. 

Weber County Car Show
The main event is a car show but the Weber County Alumni's annual event includes Aggie football players in a flag football game, a petting zoo, Aggie ice cream, games, clowns and other entertainment.  The July 19 event in Ogden's Liberty Park, 751 21st Street, raises scholarship money for Weber County students who want to attend USU.  Admission is free.  It runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The car show includes classic vehicles, customs and hot rods. Everyone attending gets to vote for his or her favorite car.  Winners and their cars will be featured in Ogden's 24th of July parade.

To enter a car in the show, get donor information or have questions answered, contact Trudy Young through e-mail  at trudyy@ext.usu.edu or phone (801) 399-8200.

USU Student Claims a Tent as Home

For the 2002-2003 school term, Utah State student Ben Taylor went about student life much the same as other USU students with one exception:  every night he hiked into Logan Canyon and spent the evening in his tent.  Even in the frigid winter nights that everyone remembers from living in Logan, Ben huddled down in his tent house and prepared for class the next day.  Since his story first ran in the Deseret News in November, Taylor has experienced some measure of notoriety, but still prefers a quiet life style and outdoor living. 

To read the full stories, click on:

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,450014957,00.html   and a follow-up: (Deseret News, 04/08/03) Click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,480034336,00.html

Alumni Center Weddings
The Alumni Center was built in 1891 as a model farmhouse.  The original section of the house served as the official residence to 12 university presidents, beginning with Jeremiah W. Sanborn in the early1890s and ending with Stanford Cazier in 1986.  The house was renovated to serve as a home to the Alumni Association through a generous gift from Jon and Karen Huntsman and more than 1,000 USU alumni and friends.   When the remodel was complete, the center was dedicated in honor of David B. Haight, USU alumnus, General Authority for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and father of Karen Huntsman.

Although the Alumni Center serves many campus and community groups for various meetings and banquets, weddings have become one of the most popular and frequent events, especially in December and May through August.   The brides love the charming reception hall which opens onto a beautifully landscaped patio and private yard surrounded by towering pine trees.   Decorating for a wedding here is minimal due to the historical charm and naturally elegant atmosphere. 

If you're interested in scheduling a wedding, banquet, reunion, business meeting, or any number of celebrations check out our Web page at www.usu.edu/alumni/center.html for further details on rentals and package offerings.

EVENT LISTINGS

Utah State University Alumni Relations sponsors many exciting events throughout the year. To keep informed about the most current ones, visit www.usu.edu/alumni/events.html often.

CONNECTIONS

Chapter News:

Uintah Basin Golf Tournament
Experience a great day of golf and help support scholarships on May 30th at the Roosevelt Golf Course.  Tee time is set for 9:00 a.m.  The format is a four-man scramble with the cost at $250 a team.  If you're interested in entering the tournament or would like more information, please contact Kim Page at (435) 722-2294.  All proceeds go to the Uintah Basin Aggie Scholarship Fund.

Thanksgiving Point Shoot-Out

Come and enjoy lunch, a round of golf and an awards dinner to benefit the Salt Lake and Utah County Aggie Scholarship Fund. It will take place on June 23, 2003 at Thanksgiving Point’s nationally acclaimed course.  The tournament begins at 12 noon for check-in with a 1:00 p.m. shotgun start.   Chosen format is a four-man scramble.  The cost is $340 per team or $85 individual before June 1. After June 1, team cost is $400 and $100 for individuals. Registration fees include green fees, cart, luncheon, and awards dinner.  If you are interested in entering this tournament, contact Patty Halaufia at 1-800-291-ALUM (2586). Hurry, to assure your place before the deadline of June 16.

Athletics

Joe Whitesides Scholar Athlete Luncheon Whitesides Scholar
USU's soccer team ranks as the most scholastic among student athletes with 21 of its 26 members earning 3.2 or better grade points for the past two semesters. But half of all student athletes attended this year's Joe Whitesides Student-Athlete Luncheon which honors athletes with grade points of 3.2 or better. Several teams placed 60 percent or more of their athletes in the scholar category. The group of 157 individuals set a school record at this year's event held on April 15th. Senior basketball player Mike Puzey earned the top individual award with a 3.96 grade point average.

Aggies Headed to the NFL
Utah State wide receiver Kevin Curtis was selected in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams.  The former walk on from Snow Junior College led the nation in receptions per game in his first major college season in 2001.  In addition to Curtis, four other Aggies signed as free agents with different teams.  Jim Newton (Indianapolis), Casey Poppinga (Pittsburgh), Jose Fuentes (Green Bay) and Ade Jimoh (Washington) all signed following the official ending of the draft. 

Check out utahstateaggies.com for the latest news and information about Aggie Athletics.  If you would like to receive electronic updates from Athletics, e-mail Ken Beazer at ken.beazer@usu.edu.

Travel Opportunities

Arizona Football Weekend
September 12-14, 2003
Enjoy this weekend in Arizona which includes round-trip airfare from Salt Lake City, accommodations at the luxurious Tempe Mission Palms hotel, pre-game party and game ticket as the Aggies take on Arizona State.  Land only packages will also be available.

Cruise Tahiti

October 25- November 2, 2003
Sail aboard the Pacific Princess as she visits the enchanting island of Tahiti.  Ports include Papeete, Huahine, Raiatea, Bora Bora, and Moorea.  Call for pricing and cabin availability.

Peru: Empire of the Incas

April 2004
This exciting tour includes visits to Lima, Cozco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Manu National Reserve and the Amazon.  Exact prices and dates available by July 1, 2003.

China

May 2004 - (rescheduled from September 2003)

To find more information, visit www.usu.edu/alumni/china.html or contact Scott Olson at (435) 797-2055.

England and Scotland
October 2004
Don't miss the spectacular sights of London, Oxford, Stratford Upon Avon, Bath, Stonehenge, and more.  Exact dates and pricing will be available at a later date.