Cadets and others tackle Rice-Eccles stairs as a show of remembrance
University of Utah Air Force ROTC cadets and others climb the stands of Rice-Eccles Stadium in a show of remembrance and resolve, honoring the nearly 3,000 Americans lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the first responders who ran toward danger, at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. Around 2,200 steps (the equivalent of the World Trade Center towers' 110 flights of stairs) were climbed by members of University of Utah Air Force, Navy and Army ROTC cadets and staff, Salt Lake City Fire Department, Hill AFB personnel, University of Utah sports teams, University of Utah Greek life and Westminster University sports teams. Laura Seitz, Deseret News
The solemn climb to the top of Rice-Eccles Stadium early Friday held significance for University of Utah ROTC cadets as they honored the nearly 3,000 Americans lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the first responders who ran toward danger that day.
Climbing the equivalent of the World Trade Center towers’ 110 flights of stairs, cadets carry forward a solemn tradition of service and sacrifice, ensuring that a generation born after the attacks never forgets.
This year’s event was organized by the university’s Air Force ROTC and include remarks from ROTC leadership, Rebecca Utz, interim dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Science, and guest speaker Alex Brown, retired lieutenant colonel, U.S. Air Force, former KC-135 pilot and Joint Staff A5 Asian country director, ahead of the climb.
The group included University of Utah Air Force, Navy and Army ROTC cadets and staff, the Salt Lake City Fire Department, Hill Air Force Base personnel, University of Utah sports teams and Greek life participants as well as Westminster University sports teams.
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Deseret News photojournalist Laura Seitz was there to capture the remebrance.
MIDN Shane Rogers carries a 35-pound backpack while ascending the steps of Rice-Eccles Stadium in a show of remembrance and resolve, honoring the nearly 3,000 Americans lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the first responders who ran toward danger, at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. “In the moments following the profound tragedy of 9/11, we saw communities come together in service of one another — first responders running toward danger, neighbors helping neighbors, and people finding ways to serve. That spirit of service, courage and care for each other is part of what we honor here today, and I see those values represented as I look around the stadium,” said Rebecca Utz, interim dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Utah. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
A firefighter touches a sign as he finishes climbing the stands of Rice-Eccles Stadium in a show of remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the first responders who ran toward danger at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
University of Utah ROTC cadets and others climb the stands of Rice-Eccles Stadium in a show of remembrance and resolve, honoring the nearly 3,000 Americans lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the first responders who ran toward danger, at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. Around 2,200 steps were climbed by members of University of Utah Air Force, Navy and Army ROTC cadets and staff, Salt Lake City Fire Department, Hill AFB personnel, University of Utah sports teams, University of Utah Greek life and Westminster University sports teams. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
University of Utah NROTC MIDN 1st class Kaden Wilson holds the American flag prior to the stair climb honoring the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the first responders who ran toward danger at Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
University of Utah Police Captain Reuben Torres catches his breath while climbing around 2,200 steps in honor of the Sept. 11, 2021, victims and first responders at Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
University of Utah Air Force cadet Jay Garza cheers on fellow cadets as they climb 2,200 steps, the equivalent of the World Trade Center towers' 110 flights of stairs, at Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
University of Utah ROTC cadets and others climb the stands of Rice-Eccles Stadium in a show of remembrance and resolve, honoring the nearly 3,000 Americans lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the first responders who ran toward danger, at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. Around 2,200 steps were climbed by members of University of Utah Air Force, Navy and Army ROTC cadets and staff, Salt Lake City Fire Department, Hill AFB personnel, University of Utah sports teams, University of Utah Greek life and Westminster University sports teams. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
University of Utah ROTC cadets and others climb the stands of Rice-Eccles Stadium in a show of remembrance and resolve, honoring the nearly 3,000 Americans lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the first responders who ran toward danger, at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. Around 2,200 steps were climbed by members of University of Utah Air Force, Navy and Army ROTC cadets and staff, Salt Lake City Fire Department, Hill AFB personnel, University of Utah sports teams, University of Utah Greek life and Westminster University sports teams. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
University of Utah Air ROTC cadets congratulate one another after climbing 2,200 steps, the equivalent of the World Trade Center towers' 110 flights of stairs, at Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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