During his speech to Washington State student-athletes, Mike Utley shared this insight:

"I don't care what sport you're in, expect to win. Expect to be that national champion. But be willing to pay that price."

It was insight learned as an offensive lineman for the Washington State Cougars from 1984-88, an NFL player for the Detroit Lions, and as an advocate for those living with spinal cord injuries, like himself.

Utley returned to his alma mater during the first week of this fall semester to impart memories of his time as a student-athlete to the current WSU student-athletes, and the lessons he learned.

The opportunity to speak was one he could not pass up.

"It was a privilege," Utley said afterward. "Being here, being able to reach out and touch these students, to inspire them, and let them know they are accountable for their actions."

In addition to giving them advice, Utley drew strength from the captive audience.

"For me, to speak to these athletes, it gives me encouragement," he said. "It brings back good memories. I couldn't be happier to be here."

In his talk, Utley said WSU was the perfect choice for him, and two memories from his Hall of Fame career re-enforced that belief.

"The very first time I came through that tunnel in that Crimson and Gray, I knew I made the right choice for Mike Utley," he said.

"And when I came through the tunnel against Washington for the very last time," Utley continued, referring to the 1988 Apple Cup at Martin Stadium, "I made the right choice for Mike Utley."

The bond created with WSU as a student has only become stronger. A longtime Cougar Athletic Fund member, Utley recently contributed a naming donation to the coaches' staff room inside the Cougar Football Complex.

"Washington State University, through Coach (Jim) Walden, gave me an opportunity and I wanted to pay it forward," Utley said.

Utley took advantage of his opportunity at WSU to compile a resume so vast it takes a plaque that decorates a pillar at the Cougar Football Complex west walkway to list his accomplishments.

They include being a consensus First-Team All-American, only the second in school history. Utley earned All-America First-Team honors from six organizations in his senior season.
 

 

A two-time All-Pacific-10 Conference First-Team selection, Utley helped the Cougars to a 9-3 record and a victory over Houston in the 1988 Aloha Bowl. That same season he was selected to play in the Hula Bowl, East-West Shrine Game, and the Senior Bowl.

Drafted by Detroit Lions in the third round of the 1989 draft, Utley played in 32 games with the Lions, starting all 11 during the 1991 season before suffering a career-ending spinal cord injury against the Los Angeles Rams, Nov. 17, 1991.

In 1992, he established the Mike Utley Foundation, to provide funding for research, rehabilitation and education for those living with spinal cord injuries.

Utley was inducted to the Washington State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004 and, this December, he will be inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame.

He is the first Cougar to be inducted into the Hall of Fame since running back Rueben Mayes was enshrined in 2008. Along with Mayes, Utley joins fellow Cougars Glen "Turk" Edwards (1929-31), enshrined in 1975, and Mel Hein (1928-30), who was the first Cougar to be inducted in 1954.

He also joins head coaches Orin "Babe" Hollingbery (1979), Forest "Evy" Evashevski (2000) and William "Lone Star" Dietz (2012), giving WSU seven individuals in the Hall of Fame.

"The first thing I thought of was 'Wow,'" Utley said of his reaction when learning about the College Football Hall of Fame induction.

"For all the little things I did when no one was looking at Washington State, it paid off," Utley added. "The little things do matter."

Utley shared with the student-athletes that as a player he believed going to the Rose Bowl was the most important thing.

He realized he was wrong.

"It wasn't big enough, it wasn't high enough," Utley said to the student-athletes. "I wish I would have thought I am going to bring a national championship to Washington State University."

"When you practice, practice like a national champion," he continued, "you will become one. Study like a national champion, you will become one. Put people around you who believe in a national championship.
You can create your own way."

And he concluded his speech by sharing the last statement his father told me before leaving for Washington State in 1984.

"When you leave this house not only do you represent yourself, you represent Mom and Dad, St. Paul's grade school, Kennedy High School," Utley said, stating the schools he attended prior to Washington State.

"Now I represent Washington State University, the Detroit Lions, the College Football Hall of Fame, and I represent my wife Danielle," Utley continued.
 
"This is a great university. The bottom line is you can be who you want to be by doing what you need to do today."

When he was finished, an audience that included President Kirk H. Schulz, Director of Athletics Bill Moos, and 450 student-athletes, gave Utley a standing ovation.