UVU men’s basketball coach Mark Pope signs new six-year contract
Utah Valley University basketball coach Mark Pope signed a six-year contract with the university on Thursday. The new contract, which will keep Pope at UVU through the 2023–24 season, replaces the previous five-year contract that would expire in 2020. “We’ve got some real momentum going at Utah Valley University and in our athletic department because […]
BYU bests UVU in game that was polar opposite of last year’s Crosstown Clash
It was a cruel twist of fate for UVU and sweet piece of revenge for BYU at the UCCU Center Wednesday night. BYU men’s basketball (5–2) team bested UVU 85–58 in a game of opposites to last year’s UCCU Crosstown Clash. Besides the obvious difference — that the Cougars won this year — the roles […]
Not a family reunion: BYU and UVU ready for ‘backyard brawl’ in Crosstown Clash
A year ago, Jake Toolson was on the bench when UVU upset BYU 114–101. The former Cougar turned Wolverine was forced to sit out because of NCAA transfer rules, but just because he wasn’t playing didn’t mean his heart wasn’t invested. “Last year was a great day for me and for a lot of other […]
UVU using ‘Toughest 24’ as launch pad for 2017–18 season
Tough is one way to put it. Some less optimistic critics would call it “nearly impossible,” but UVU men’s basketball coach Mark Pope is using a “tough” season-opener series as a road map for the rest of the 2017–18 season. UVU men’s basketball team is making history this weekend with what the team is calling […]
UVU basketball finally has a home with new NUVI Basketball Center
After fighting for space at the UCCU Center for years, Utah Valley University’s basketball teams now have a home to call their own. UVU cut the net to the NUVI Basketball Center on Wednesday afternoon signifying the official opening of the facility. Cathy Nixon, UVU women’s basketball coach, has been with the program for 22 […]
5 Orem Summerfest traditions residents won’t want to miss
For Oremites, summer doesn’t begin when school gets out. Summer begins with Orem Summerfest. The 2017 Orem Summerfest began June 5 and is kickin’ out the fun like a summer festival should. They have a variety of events to attract a crowd from many walks of life. “Over the past few years, the Summerfest committee has […]
UVU basketball accepts bid to College Basketball Invitational
The Utah Valley University men’s basketball team accepted an invitation to play in the College Basketball Invitational on Sunday night. CBI invites 16 teams that weren’t included in the NCAA Tournament to participate in postseason play. For the first round, the Wolverines will travel to Hanner Fieldhouse in Georgia to play against the Georgia Southern […]
5 of the best LDS (non-BYU) NCAA Tournament performances
March Madness is here and when this time of year rolls around, it’s fun to reminisce about some of the biggest games, performances and upsets in the NCAA Tournament. When you think of Mormons and the NCAA Tournament, BYU’s Danny Ainge and Jimmer Fredette are the first two names to came to mind. Ainge authored […]
UVU basketball builds by providing second chances
It’s been a bit of a roller-coaster ride for the 2016-17 Utah Valley University men’s basketball team, but perhaps that is to be expected. This is a squad filled with players who have hit the restart button on their careers. If any team knows what it’s like to get a second chance, it’s this one, […]
UVU breaks ground on NUVI Basketball Center where players can ‘chase big dreams’
Utah Valley University’s basketball teams have been sharing its gym for years. Cathy Nixon, who is heading into her 22nd season as UVU women’s basketball head coach, remembers sharing the gym with lions, tigers, bears, the circus, motocross and a large variety of shows and businesses. She even recalls having up to five different UVU […]
Every game is ‘huge’ this season for BYU, including against UVU
Friday night’s game between BYU and UVU is a first of the season, a first of a four-year series of games scheduled and a first time facing former BYU basketball assistant coach Mark Pope — but to senior Kyle Collinsworth it’s just another “huge” game. “Every game has meaning and this one’s the next game. It’s […]
Her other Letterman: Lee Anne Pope’s time working for David Letterman
When Mark Pope started dating his future wife, he wasn’t the only letterman in Lee Ann’s life. She was a personal assistant for Big Apple icon David Letterman. Mark met his wife, Lee Anne, while he was playing for the New York Knicks. She was living in New York City and giving her time to […]
Preaching Wolverine: Mark Pope’s green transformation
When UVU was looking for the coach to take the Wolverines men’s basketball team to the next level, they called a man who was just up the street. Now, Mark Pope starts his first season with missionary zeal. Mark Pope had driven past UVU’s campus thousands of times during his four seasons as an assistant […]
VIDEO: Mark Pope dances with daughters at UVU Midnight Madness
UVU head basketball coach Mark Pope had a unique way of getting UVU basketball fans pumped up — a lip sync battle. The lip sync, which was more like a dance routine, was to the song “Classic” by MKTO and was part of Midnight Madness Thursday night. Both the women’s and men’s basketball teams at UVU greeted fans, […]
Isaac Neilson follows Mark Pope to UVU
Former BYU basketball player Isaac Neilson is following UVU head coach Mark Pope to UVU. Neilson signed a grant-in-aid award to play for the Wolverines on Monday. “I am so excited to continue coaching Isaac Neilson,” Pope said in a press release. “I expect that he will continue to grow both on and off the court at […]
Mark Pope hires second UVU assistant basketball coach
Utah Valley University’s new men’s basketball coach Mark Pope hired Chris Burgess as another assistant coach on Wednesday. “Chris is a great addition to my staff,” Pope said in a press release. “Not only has he excelled as a player, but has also proven his skill, acumen and dedication as a coach. He is an energetic teacher and […]
New UVU head basketball coach Mark Pope plans to use BYU strategies
“It’s a great day to be a Wolverine.” (And a bad day to be a Cougar.) That’s what Utah Valley University athletic director Vince Otoupal said at the start of the press conference announcing former BYU assistant coach Mark Pope as the Wolverines’ new head coach. Yesterday, reports broke that Pope would be transferring schools. Pope replaces former head […]
BYU’s Mark Pope heading to Utah Valley University
BYU assistant men’s basketball coach Mark Pope will be the next men’s head coach at Utah Valley University, according to CBS Sports. A former Kentucky Wildcat will be named the next head coach at Utah Valley, sources told @GaryParrishCBS. Story: http://t.co/cXqD1GDhnK — CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 30, 2015 Pope, who has been an […]
Confluence of BYU basketball’s present and future in Las Vegas
Last Thursday night, while covering the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Cougar assistant coaches Mark Pope and Terry Nashif were sitting courtside, next to me, scouting the Portland-Loyola Marymount game. Because it was a first-round game, not a lot of reporters were there, so Pope and Nashif sat in the […]
13 BYU basketball facts you probably never knew
The BYU men’s basketball team might seem like an open book, but they have some secrets up their sleeves. Here are 13 lesser-known facts about the BYU basketball team: 1. Ziggy Ansah tried out twice Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah, the fifth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, tried out twice for the BYU basketball […]