UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE | September 25, 2023

OPINION | Coach professionalism: be a leader, not a dream crusher

Coaches cross the boundaries of professionalism frequently enough, and the standard they are supposedly held to is unclear.

Coaches should be passionate about the game they train their athletes for, but sometimes, that passion turns into favoritism, mistrust, lack of loyalty, and ultimately, lost athletes. This frustration leads to many negative lasting impacts on players.

First, these impacts the coaches have on athletes can lead to injuries, lack of improvement, lack of inspiration, and sadly enough, lack of wanting to play the sport they once loved. At this point, when is enough, enough?

Is the line finally crossed when athletes are in the position to quit their sport and pay for therapy because all they are told is that they are not enough? When all an athlete hears are negative comments and gestures, there is no doubt the athlete will be experiencing lifelong trauma afterward.

I played many sports growing up, and the main one was soccer. As many people may see, soccer is a highly competitive sport, which opens the gateway for coaches to be that much more passionate.

Growing up I had parent coaches, which worked well while I was still young in elementary. They were supportive and neutral amongst us as kids but not so much as I entered junior high school and high school. Parent coaches are biased as they focus on their kids’ best interests rather than the other kids or even the team in general. This was understandable until it got out of hand when parent coaches told their team to foul play.

Is it crossing the line of professionalism when these coaches specifically would tell their kids and athletes to purposely foul the opposing athletes just because they are a threat?

Well, this was my situation. I was the athlete who ended up getting injured when the opposing coach told his athletes to play to injure. I was the victim of a jealous coach who enticed violence on the playing field.

Now that’s a dream crusher.

Although my passion and love for the sport were slowly depleting, I continued to play soccer in high school. To no surprise, I had another bad experience, although this time the bad coach was my coach.

A new coach was hired at the beginning of my senior year. At first, the coach appeared to be everything we, as a team, had been wanting. Someone who cares and could build us up to our best potential. Not even two weeks in, we started to see his true colors.

We soon learned during game time if we did not perform above and beyond his expectation, he would yell at us, tell us we were not good and we would never be good. Talk about dropping our confidence.

Coaches are supposed to inspire players, improve skills and lead their players in a positive path forward. The ability to inspire players is the ability to ignite confidence.

Coaches are supposed to help players achieve their goals while giving them the training they need to excel as an individual and as a team.

Coaches are supposed to improve player performance and have the ability to communicate without a condescending tone of voice.

Coaches aren’t supposed to be dream crushers, but that line is still unclear. Coaches should be held responsible to a contract beginning every season that states: any absurd behavior is strictly prohibited and will result in punishment.

There are too many instances where college coaches cross a line and are investigated for misconduct. What are they being investigated for if there isn’t a set standard for the way they should be acting toward their athletes?

At Michigan State University, football coach Mel Tucker is in the midst of being fired for alleged sexual misconduct.

For the National Women’s Soccer League, four coaches were banned perpetually for systemic misconduct and abuse.

At Northwestern University, football coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired for hazing.

At Utah Tech University, women’s basketball player J.D. Gustin is under investigation for coaching misconduct.

The extremities should be decided within the organization, but a contract should be signed. Make the professional line clear, and save dreams from being crushed.

Utah Tech women’s basketball coach faces investigation amid allegations

Utah Tech University is currently investigating allegations made by current and past players against women’s head basketball coach J.D. Gustin.

According to The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 women accused Gustin of bullying, intimidation and retaliation.

In interviews with the Tribune, the players said, “Gustin used obscenities while insulting them, humiliated them in front of teammates, gave the silent treatment to some, and threatened to revoke scholarships.”

They also accused Gustin of disruptive behavior during practices, including throwing objects and making inappropriate comments about their bodies and sex lives.

Although the university’s student-athlete handbook explicitly bans the use of foul language and throwing objects by Utah Tech athletes, the university’s Athletics Policies and Procedures Manual is less specific regarding the code of conduct expected of coaches. It simply states that coaches should show respect for student-athletes and refrain from any form of exploitation, harassment or discriminatory treatment.

A statement issued Sept. 13 by Utah Tech said they take all reported allegations seriously.

“Upon learning of the allegations, the university has been working decisively to address them in accordance with our university’s values and policies to ensure they have been upheld,” the statement read.

Utah Tech also asks that “all the parties involved respect the process and the integrity of the ongoing investigation.”

Gustin, who is entering his eighth season of coaching at Utah Tech, is not the only coach to be under investigation in the state of Utah this month. The University of Utah has recently initiated an investigation into its gymnastics program and head coach Tom Farden.

In an attempt to interview Executive Director of Athletics Ken Beazer, Steve Johnson, the associate athletic director of media relations, said, “Until this investigation has been completed and this process has come to a conclusion, we are not granting any media interviews.”

The women’s 2023-2024 basketball season is scheduled to begin Nov. 9 with their first game taking place at home.

It is unclear how this ongoing investigation will be conducted or how the upcoming season will be affected. Additional information on the specific details and procedures of the investigation remains undisclosed at this time.

This is a developing story. Sun News Daily will update this article with more information as it becomes available. Additional reporting by Angel Wood and Zoe Hansen.

Utah Tech celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month by embracing culture, community

The theme for National Hispanic Heritage Month in 2023 is driving Latinos in the direction of prosperity, power and progress in America.

The Utah Tech Student Organization of Latinos and The Center for Inclusion and Belonging are assembling events in preparation to appreciate the history and contribution Latino ancestors have brought to the United States.

Hispanic heritage was first celebrated for a week in 1968 when President Lyndon Johnson established it and was lengthened to a month in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan. The celebration of Hispanic heritage starts in the middle of a month because several Latin countries happen to have their independence day days apart from one another.

“It’s important [to celebrate Hispanic heritage] because as a community, Hispanics/Latinos overcame so much,” said Zelda Moreno, a junior criminal justice major from Las Vegas, who is the social media manager for SOL.

“It’s good for upcoming generations to know where they came from and learn about their roots and just be proud of where they came from instead of feeling ashamed for who they are,” Moreno said.

The United States is home to around 63.7 million Hispanics, according to the United States Census Bureau. At Utah Tech, 21% of the student population is a minority, and 12% of them are Hispanic.

The CIB puts on various activities throughout the school year starting with Hispanic Heritage Month. They also celebrate LGBTQ+ Awareness Month, Inclusion Week, Native American Heritage Month and Black History Month.

The Hispanic Heritage departmental kick-off event is Sept. 20, and it’s going to be a community event on campus with UTSA and SOL helping. The kickoff event is carnival-style where there will be booths, events, music and food.

Juan Alvarez, a freshman marketing major from Tacuarembó, Uruguay, and the president of SOL said: “For me, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month means remembering my family and culture. It’s a month where I can appreciate where my family comes from and celebrate.”

“We can really highlight and share parts of our culture with the surrounding community, both on and off campus,” said Elissa Aguayo, a senior digital film major from Cedar City.

The SOL has previously done a couple of cooking events where they had someone teach club members how to cook certain foods from that person’s culture.

“We made Cuban-style sandwiches with a Cuban member,” Moreno said. “It was really fun, so I’m hoping that this year we can do something like that again.”

The SOL members take turns sharing their own culture from around the world. Whether they are from Cuba, Mexico, Spain, Ecuador, Argentina, Peru or any Latin country, they all choose to be involved and open-minded when learning about the different cultures by trying new foods or learning to make traditional jewelry.

One event Moreno really liked was their craft night where they taught their club members how to make Ecuador-style beaded jewelry. The style consists of wrapping beads around thread to make different patterns and styles of jewelry.

“We also like doing events where we show movies that represent Hispanic/Latino culture,” Moreno said.

The first event SOL is hosting is called Nacho’s Festival where they will be watching “Nacho Libre” and eating nachos Sept. 13 at Campus View Suites II starting at 5 p.m..

“Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month means a lot to me because it reminds me I’m still part of this community,” Moreno said. “When I learn about new people or see others who are like me gather together, I feel really good and acknowledged.”

Sun News Daily airs new sports show with new and familiar faces

For Utah Tech University sports lovers, there is a new way of keeping up with your favorite Trailblazer teams.

Sun News Daily will be airing a new sports show called Sun News: Blazer Beat. This show is home to sports stories, highlights, takeaways and recaps of all the athletic programs on campus. From Division 1 sports to clubs like pickleball, Blazer Beat will cover it.

Expect weekly shows to occur every Thursday at noon. The show will be broadcast on campus in the Jennings Communication Building. The first show is out now and available to watch on Sun News Daily’s YouTube channel.

Blazer Beat anchors include a new face to the Sun News staff, Troy Grimmond, a sophomore communication studies major from Newport Beach, California, and one familiar face, Zoe Hansen, a junior media studies major from Idaho Falls, Idaho. 

Grimmond said he grew up playing baseball as a first baseman and pitcher and would always watch sports anytime he could. His love and passion for sports is one of the reasons he decided to become a sports anchor.

“I’ve always been an outgoing kind of guy,” Grimmond said. “I’ve never been really afraid of talking to people…this is definitely something new that I’ve stepped into, and hopefully I’m going to enjoy it.”

Blazer Beat brings a lot to the world of sports broadcasting from the blend of in-depth analyses, exclusive interviews with players and coaches, and notable segments that will capture the audience’s attention. Blazer Beat will have something to offer to everybody, even those who aren’t the biggest sports fans.

The staff at Sun News is constantly working hard on stories and ideas that will contribute to the success of the show. Hansen said she got an idea for a segment she thinks will be an entertaining part of the show that all viewers can enjoy.

“Every month we’ll pick out plays kind of like ESPN does,” Hansen said. “We’ll do a Top 10 of the month or Top Five of the month. We’re still figuring it out, but I think that’s something that our viewers can look forward to.”

Not everything can be credited to Grimmond and Hansen. It takes a team to run a broadcast, and one of the most important roles is the producer. 

That role belongs to Madisyn Dwiggins, a senior media studies major from Las Vegas, who has been on the Sun News staff for five semesters. She has been the producer for the past three semesters after fulfilling the role of news editor for the other two semesters.

Dwiggins said her role as a producer comes with a lot of responsibilities that start before the cameras are rolling. From looking over the script, making sure it is ready to air, and writing the intros and outros for packages, she does it all. 

During the broadcast, Dwiggins monitors the show and uses a one-way communication system that allows her to speak to the anchors. She can then give a heads-up on anything the anchors might need to adjust while they are rolling.

“We’ve never had this problem before, but Zoe and Troy chit-chat and talk a lot, like I swear they can chit-chat for 10 minutes straight,” Dwiggins said. “So, I feel like I’m going to have to tell them to wrap it up a little bit. We don’t want it all to be a conversation.” 

Dwiggins said she wants to get the word out about the show and make sure people understand that Blazer Beat is unaffiliated with Utah Tech athletics. The show will convey a different angle of sports content at the university.

“I definitely want to get it out there more, like make it more known,” Dwiggins said. “I don’t think a lot of people know about Sun News, especially about the sports show since it’s brand new. But, I think some goals I have are to keep it neutral but still be able to throw our little opinions in there about the games and stuff.”

OPINION | Dive into Splash Drinks & Treats at Utah Tech

Splash Drinks & Treats is now open, and they are ready to steal away all of the other local soda shops’ customers.

The soda trends seem to be kicking it into high gear this summer, and Utah Tech University is lucky enough to have its own soda shop open on campus in the Gardner Student Center. I can’t wait to spend more time between my classes stopping to get a drink or treat.

This simple and modern shop is a very welcoming place to go. Whether you’re passing between classes or ending your day on campus, Splash will be sure to quench your thirst and hunger.

The moment I walked into the shop, I was welcomed with smiles and greetings. The staff was friendly and attentive, immediately asking what they could get for me as well as asking how my day was going. Their bright smiles and willingness to answer any of my questions about the food and drinks made my experience a pleasant one. 

The shop was clean and sleek, and the white and blue colors tied together the aesthetic. It wasn’t overwhelming to order what I wanted to buy as the counter was cleared off and the kitchen was organized. There was a large window at the back of the kitchen that leads to a great view of the campus. That little touch makes it seem like the shop is much bigger.

Splash’s menu was easy to read and understand. The sizes range from 16 ounces to 64 ounces, and their most popular drinks are marked with a Brooks the Bison logo. It always piques my interest to see what the most popular things are in smaller shops like Splash.

Some of those top drinks include the Blondie, Bison Bomb and UT Classic.

I ordered the Blondie which has Dr. Pepper, coconut and vanilla cream. Compared to other soda shops, the amount of ice they added was a little too much. I would have loved to have been able to enjoy my drink for a little longer rather than having half of it be ice, but overall, it was refreshing.

They don’t just have drinks at Splash. They also have food items like Dippin’ Dots, pretzel bites and cookies.

As for the cookies, the menu lists multiple flavors including:

  • Frosted Sugar
  • Frosted Peanut Butter
  • Chocolate Chip
  • Oatmeal
  • Peanut Butter
  • Seasonal Flavors
  • Scotch-a-roos

Fun fact, all of the cookies that have frosting are freshly frosted in-house by hand. That was an interesting thing for me to find out because it really shows the work and commitment that Splash employees have to make sure the items they sell are fresh and of the best quality possible.

Just like most soda shops around, Splash has the option of customizing drinks. Customers get to decide which soda and add-ons they want in their drinks. The add-ons consist of syrup flavors, puree flavors, different creams and scoops of fruit.

The perfect drink is attainable at this soda shop. I wasn’t always a soda fan, but this summer was the first time I had an interest in the popularity of it. So, as a newly interested soda drinker, I was satisfied with the options they had as well as how easy it was to make modifications if I wanted it.

“They had fast service,” said Brynley Kint, a film major from St. George. “They were very personable. It’s very clean and has very yummy drinks.”

Looking at other soda shops like Swig or Fiiz, Splash seems to be on the less expensive side. Taking into consideration the speed at which the drink was made as well as the ingredients in the drinks, the prices are very reasonable.

With how popular soda is with college students, Splash is and will continue to be a great addition to our Utah Tech campus. Whether you’re a soda lover or a pretzel lover, Splash is a great place to go, so stop by and experience it for yourself.

OPINION | How events like Inferno can be improved in following years

Utah Tech Student Association hosted one of the most anticipated events of the year April 22—Inferno.

This dance was well-planned out, having few hiccups during the night, but this entertaining event could always have room for improvement.

I have been to every single dance at Utah Tech University during my college career, and I have always enjoyed myself. However, I was going into this dance with a little bit of a critical eye, and I found myself wishing for a more impactful difference to separate this dance from the rest.

There were many changes and original ideas added to this dance like the white-out theme, paint war and bungee trampoline. Classics surrounding the Inferno dance also reappeared such as the pick-up basketball and the True Trailblazer afterward.

Inferno had many successes throughout the night that made me proud of the planning and preparation UTSA did. The entry lines were short and went smoothly. There weren’t many announcements made to push back a rowdy crowd smushing the barricades. There was plenty of space and opportunities for students to take breaks from dancing to enjoy themselves with the smaller activities.

The only complaint I had throughout the night was this dance didn’t stick out compared to past dances or even last year’s Inferno. Last year’s Inferno created more hype which enticed more people to attend. The attitudes of each person last year was to just have the best time they could; this year, those attitudes seemed to not have been repeated.

The DJ played the same songs I have heard at every dance, and he even had predictable transitions. While these songs are classics and get the crowd hyped up, I danced throughout the night wishing there was more originality in the playlist.

The crowd at this dance felt the same as any other. There were the people that wanted to mosh in the middle, those that wanted to dance in the back, and those that wanted to purely rock out to the music in the front. There was the same amount of pushing past to get to stand closer to the front, temporarily breaking apart other friend groups while they dance. This crowd was neither better or worse than any other year.

A better crowd would have been a more considerate crowd. I always seem to leave a dance with a few more bruises from the pushing and shoving. I understand getting to the spot people enjoy most, but I would rather have had people pass respectfully than shove hard out of the way.

I have always looked forward to the dances at the school, but after attending so many, I was seeking a little more of a stand-out for this year’s end of the year event.

I would have loved for this dance to have had the paint thrown on the dance floor rather than contained in another space as I came to the dance to dance, but I still wanted to get a little colorful in order to optimize the white-out theme.

I hope in the future UTSA has a dance with a different playlist. Something like a full throwback dance, with the songs we listed to growing up, or a country themed dance would separate the feeling that every dance is the same.

2023 Inferno was an excellent time for all those involved, but some of my fellow friends and I were hoping for the same feeling and excitement that came from attending last year’s Inferno.

This dance made big improvements from past dances when it comes to security and other provided entertainment. It is hard continuing to top past events when the bar is set so high from the first one, but in the future UTSA can come up with a truly unique and entertaining night of dancing for all.

OPINION | From hydration to hype: why water bottle trends need to stop

On the outside, they seem like simple ways to carry around water, but on the inside, they hold overly expensive trends and wasted money for college students.

Water bottles have taken the trend for years, but now it is getting too extreme. How many more water bottles are going to fill our pantries before we use the water bottle until it’s broken or dented?

I personally do not have one of the popular water bottles, and here is why.

I am not going to spend over $40 on a water bottle that is going to leak and dent within a couple of months.

The familiar and overly popular company Hydro Flask rose to fame in 2020 when turtles and plastic straws were the topics of that summer. TikTok and VSCO girls were all the rage with Hydro Flasks being a key factor in the VSCO girl aesthetic. Because of the influence from TikTok, Hydro Flask has a peak net worth of fourteen million dollars.

Hydro Flask has skyrocketed in popularity and sales, but it is now in the shadows of the popular brand, Stanley.

When someone buys a $50 Stanley bottle, they are not buying a Stanley to have a water bottle; they are buying a Stanley to join the trend. There are numerous Stanley duplicates out there that are overall better than a Stanley. Duplicates don’t leak and have better durability, but it doesn’t have the Stanley logo. This same phenomenon goes for Hydro Flask and other trendy water bottle brands.

When Hydro Flasks became popular, and everyone in every corner of the world had one, I was tempted to get one only because of social media.

TikTok users and influencers succumbed to the idea that in order to be cool, users needed this one specific water bottle, and the water bottle has changed every few months.

Because of the high popularity rate of the different brands of water bottles, prices go up. Buying a $50 water bottle every five months is not financially sustainable for any college student. Students should be spending the money on gas or rent and not on something that will not be used to the full extent.

Water bottles are different than any other trend. Most people need some sort of water bottle in their everyday lives to stay hydrated.

The combination of prices, metal variations and sizes gives anyone access to the perfect water bottle. This trend will never go away no matter the water bottle type or size.

The unnecessary purchases of new water bottles every six months are never going to go out of style. But, there is a way to make this trend more financially stable for a college student.

Emma Mortensen, a sophomore film major from Nebraska, said, “I wasn’t drinking as much water as I used to, so then I was like, it’s time to upgrade, and now I’m hydrated again.”

Mortensen upgraded her old water bottle to the brand Owala after not liking her previous one as much.

Buying a new water bottle when the water bottle isn’t serving its purpose anymore is better than getting one because of trend.

Students not only save money, but they save room in their pantries when they use water bottles for their true purpose. Old reusable water bottles sit in the pantries of many people who only get water bottles for trends.

From athletes to healthcare workers, water bottles will always be a necessity, and they will never go out of style. But, that doesn’t mean you should get a different one every time a new one becomes popular. Don’t fill your pantry with new water bottles. Use them until you need to buy another one.

Utah Tech’s football scrimmage game shows players improvement following spring camp

Utah Tech University’s football team hosted a red and white spring game April 15 at the Greater Zion Stadium to practice real-game play after an intense series of spring training has come to an end.

The spring scrimmage concluded the Trailblazers’ spring slate and leads into summer training to prepare for kickoff against Montana State University Sept. 2.

The ‘Blazers put up a fight during its fall season and concluded with a 4-7 record. New coaching promotions and additions were announced in January, and the four-week spring camp began March 21.

Both of these announcements were made to help improve players’ abilities and give them the best resources available moving forward. Recruits and coaches were welcome to attend all of the available practices.

Syrus Webster, a junior marketing major from West Jordan, intercepted the ball and had the biggest play of the game, scoring the only touchdown for the red team. With an unofficial score of 6-1 in favor of the white team, improvements could be seen all over the field following the spring camp.

Ryan Kean, a freshman management major from Corona, California, said his mental strength, ability to think quickly and control of his emotions has improved the most since the fall season.

“The off-season is a critical time for the team to develop physically and mentally,” said Kean. “The focus through camp has been working to efficiently implement our improved abilities into real game scenarios.”

Baylor Payan, a senior exercise science major from Plain City, said the spring camp allowed him to improve on more technical crafts without having to worry about the physical toll the regular season takes on him.

“Each and every practice during this past month I have been able to go out, improve what I do, [and] I can clearly see those improvements,” Payan said.

Kean said that summer training is difficult due to the warm weather in St. George and long practices, but it helps everyone get physically ready to compete at the Division I level. The team will practice throughout the summer before returning to the academic year.

Keith Davis, a senior media studies major from San Diego, California, said he is most excited to get back on the field to hone his skills and play style after an ACL tear forced him to sit out the 2022 season.

“The off-season is beneficial because not only does it help players get accustomed to the playbook, but it also gets you that much more excited to play in the next season,” Davis said.

The team’s scrimmage game was the perfect way to conclude spring training and allow one last game before kickoff.

EDITORIAL | Keeping student journalism alive starts with Sun News

Student journalism is dying, and as members of Sun News Daily, we are doing everything we can to save it.

Unfortunately, this is not a very easy endeavor for us to accomplish. We push far past our comfort zones to build connections, we stay up until the early hours of morning to get our assignments done, and we feel underappreciated for the countless hours of work we put in. It’s the harsh reality of a student journalist’s job. 

But, that’s not to say we don’t love what we do. If we didn’t love it, we wouldn’t be here, and if we didn’t love our supporters, we wouldn’t be motivated. 

We find student journalism to be one of the most powerful ways for us to not only share our voices but also the voices of the student body.

Without our voices and the voices of others outside of our news organization, events wouldn’t be covered, stories wouldn’t be shared and the public wouldn’t be informed or engaged in the issues that affect our community. The diversity of perspectives and experiences we and other contributors bring to the table enriches the content we produce. 

As we strive to be a voice for Utah Tech University, we are continually aiming to push past our hardships to become the best student journalists we can be. The community can help us overcome many of these trials we face. 

We are not taken seriously, and our representation on campus is not where we wish it was. Because of this, it is hard for us to want to do our jobs when we feel people don’t appreciate the hard work we produce every day. 

We take our jobs seriously. We ask that as a result, others take us seriously too. 

As for our representation, not many people within our community know who we are and what we do. As we continually work toward elevating our presence and impact, we hope to break down the barriers between ourselves and the public we serve. 

We will always be working to get our name out there, and you can help us do that by subscribing to our newsletter, engaging with our content and being supportive of our news organization.

Despite the hardships we face, we still do what we do because it’s worth it. We enjoy the many benefits that come with being a student journalist and love the impact we’ve seen our content have on others. 

Joining this news organization has set us up for success. Not only do we have a strong resume builder, but we also have life-long connections, valuable experiences and enhanced skills needed to effectively and professionally communicate with others. 

But, why should we be the only one’s receiving these great benefits and opportunities? 

Everyone should be involved and aware of what is going on in our community and in the world. What better way to do this than by joining Sun News?

There’s a place and a purpose for everyone on the Sun News staff. With positions ranging from editors to photographers to reporters, students can utilize and learn many talents and receive the many benefits that come from being a student journalist.

Having a position in the news world can only increase one’s confidence and help them grow and improve no matter what career field they want to go into. The same can be said about anyone that joins Sun News. 

At the end of the day, we want people to know we are human too. We are still students attending school, working other jobs and trying to balance it all. We choose to be student journalists because we want to, and because we know how rewarding the experience is. 

We ask you take a moment to appreciate the hard work we and other student journalists put in every day. Whether you join the staff, read our content or like our posts, your support means the world to us and helps keep student journalism alive as we strive to save it from a world where it is no longer valued.

Remember, the future of student journalism is in our hands. Let’s work together to make sure it thrives for generations to come. 

The future of the Red Cliffs mall caters to the community

The Red Cliffs mall is getting new stores, restaurants and events making the indoor complex the “place to be.”

As the only indoor mall between Las Vegas and the Wasatch Front, the Red Cliffs mall is adding renovations that cater to the community’s needs. Having a mall that is clean, easy to get to and has stores for every demographic is what the Red Cliffs mall is trying to accomplish.

Recently, construction has been active in the complex. Stores and restaurants have been closing and opening, making room for the newly envisioned mall.

General Manager Cory Ashby said: “It was time. We knew that St. George and the Southern Utah Community deserved better than what we were giving them. We have always felt that if you are not changing, you are falling behind.”

Inside the mall, a poster is displayed by Dillard’s showing the future of the mall. Illustrations of families together and new stores and restaurants bring a new aesthetic to the once-dated mall.

Since the new ownership in 2017, the mall complex and other stores have gone through persistent change and improvement. Adding stores like H&M in 2018 and an interior remodel in 2019 has revamped the new vision of Red Cliffs.

Not only will Red Cliffs bring new stores and vendors, but they are also hosting events to bring the community together.

Some upcoming events include:

  • Concerts on the Terrace: April 9, April 29, May 13 and May 27 from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. with food trucks, local musicians and free admission.
  • Yoga and spin events at LuluLemon: every Sunday throughout spring

Red Cliffs management is looking forward to hosting future events like farmers markets, country line dancing and much more.

“We knew that we had to do something to make sure we stayed relevant to the changes of not only the college portion of the town but both the tourism and influx of people moving to the area,” Ashby said.

Haley Elliott, a junior criminal justice major from Denver who works at Buckle Youth said, “I think if they actually took the time, they could make it [Red Cliffs] much better.”

Red Cliffs has a wide variety of stores and dining catering to college students. Some stores include:

One thing to note is that most of the stores at Red Cliffs are the only stores in the area. The nearest Bath and Body Works outside of St. George is in Las Vegas.

“We also want to curate Red Cliffs in a way that there is something for everyone,” Ashby said. “We really want people to feel comfortable and spend time at Red Cliffs while shopping.”

Red Cliffs mall management is still working on construction and renovations around the complex. New restaurants and shops will be opening throughout the year.

For more information, their website is https://www.redcliffsmall.com/.