This Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, cadets from the University of Utah’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) will be running the stairs at Rice-Eccles Stadium in remembrance of 9/11. Upon completion, each cadet will have climbed 110 flights of stairs—the same number of flights in the Twin Towers—a memorable opportunity to honor those whose lives were taken on Sept. 11, 2001.

The events begin at 5:30 a.m. when Navy, Marine and midshipman ROTC cadets arrive at Rice-Eccles Stadium to prepare for their climb. A formal program will begin at 5:45 a.m. featuring the national anthem, posting of the colors and brief remarks focused on the importance of remembering our past.

At 6 a.m., cadets will move to the southeast corner of the stadium to start their staircase ascent near portal 36. They will run up and down each section’s staircase moving counterclockwise until they reach portal 15 on the west side of the stadium. Cadets will be wearing their military-issued fatigues and boots during the run.

This 2021 event is not open to the public, but organizers hope future events will allow community members to attend and participate. Organizers of this inaugural event hope this will become a lasting tradition in the years to come.

For more information on adding ROTC into your curriculum contact us at 801-581-6717 or email nrotc@navsci.utah.edu.