Recognizing the recent accomplishments and growth of Utah Valley University, Orem officials chose the educational institution to be the Grand Marshal of this year’s Summerfest celebration, an honor that will be received by UVU’s head basketball coach, Mark Pope.

“We chose Utah Valley University because of their 75th anniversary last year and the impact they’ve had on the community,” said Wally Harkness, chair and spokesman for Orem’s Summerfest. “Because of his accomplishments at the school, President Holland designated Mark Pope to represent UVU and be the recipient of the Grand Marshal award.”

UVU has pushed growth in academics, arts, and of course athletics, becoming a force within the Western Athletic Conference. In just two seasons, Pope has coached the men’s basketball team through some of its most notable and important accomplishments.

Under Pope, the UVU men’s basketball team defeated their cross-town rivals, Brigham Young University, winning the game with the most points ever scored by an opponent at BYU’s home court, the Marriott Center. They also made waves within the WAC when they broke New Mexico State’s 39-home game winning streak, by defeating them on their home turf.

Both accomplishments brought prestige and notoriety to the burgeoning program, being named one of the fastest teams in the country by the Pomeroy College Basketball Ratings, and setting a new school record by drawing in almost 40,000 fans throughout the 2016-17 season.

“UVU is very excited that Coach Pope and his family have been asked to be a part of the Summerfest celebration,” said Vince Otoupal, director of UVU Athletics. “The Grand Marshall is an important post and we are confident that the Pope family will handle the responsibility well.”

In the nearly 10 years since the school was named a university, UVU has become the largest public institution of higher education in the state, supporting almost 35,000 students each year. Founded as a trade school in 1941, UVU relocated to its current Orem location in 1977, and in the last 40 years it has grown into the largest employer in the city.

With the leadership of President Matthew Holland, the school has expanded, adding both new buildings and degree programs. Most recently, UVU broke ground on an arts building, which has been positioned as a new local center for the arts and will include a concert hall, dance hall and proscenium theater.

“UVU is an important institution within the community, and we’re happy to be honoring them at Summerfest,” said Harkness.

Pope will be commemorated at a VIP dinner, hosted at UVU’s own Culinary Arts School, on Wednesday, June 7, where he’ll be joined by Summerfest’s Student Marshals and artist Nathan Pacheco. The celebration will continue with the headlining event later that evening, a concert at Orem’s Scera Shell Outdoor Theatre featuring Pacheco and local band City of Enoch. There, along with the entertainment, Pope will be named as the Grand Marshal to the public.

“During his time at UVU, Coach Pope has brought knowledge, enthusiasm and a new level of success in the classroom, on the court and in the community,” said Otoupal. “[He] represents UVU proudly, and UVU is proud to have Coach Pope as the Grand Marshall of the 2017 Summerfest celebration.”