Looking at an ESPN.com article entitled Eight odd things you never knew about college football stadiums, I saw the first item involved a cemetery across from Bryant-Denny Stadium, home of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
The article goes on to say the cemetery was founded in the 1830s, but now sits hard against the famous football venue.
Big deal. It has nothing on the University of Utah.
Directly beyond the south end zone of Rice-Eccles Stadium is Mount Olivet Cemetery, designated as a burial place in 1874. It, according to the website, is the only cemetery established by an act of Congress.
And just like Alabamas cemetery, thousands pass Mount Olivet on game days.
The ESPN article quotes Alabama professor Ian Brown saying, "It seems strange having a place of death located so close to all that life and activity and sports. But it is a part of our lives."
Same here.
Mount Olivet is the burial site of some people who were well known in their day. Former Utah governors J. Bracken Lee, George Henry Dern and Arthur Lloyd Thomas were interred there, as was actress Ina Claire, who made 35 films.
Ina ClaireIn one sense, it seems incongruous that a cemetery would be adjacent to such commotion and noise. On the other hand, maybe its a good reminder to enjoy the good things in life and not let a moment pass. Its not going to last forever.