CEDAR CITY – The 30th annual Utah Summer Games opening ceremonies drew thousands of spectators Thursday night at the Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum in Cedar City.
Amid fireworks, fanfare and fun, the star of the night was young Britton Shipp, a Washington County teen who has made a miraculous recovery after an ATV accident in 2014 left him comatose with a traumatic brain injury.
Britton, a longtime participant in the games prior to his accident, took the stage Thursday night to light the ceremonial cauldron and receive the “Spirit of the Games” award for 2015.
“Britton has been given the Spirit of the Games Award for the strength and championship spirit he has exuded during his amazing comeback,” Utah Summer Games Emcee Bill Marcroft said. “Thank you, Britton, for being an inspiration to all of us.”
Almost everyone who walked past Britton during the event stopped to say hi or to take a picture with him.
The whole Shipp family was in attendance at the ceremony, with exception of Britton’s sister, who was backpacking through Europe, his dad, Jesse Shipp, told the crowd after Britton accepted his award. Ironically, Jesse Shipp said, while the rest of her family was in SUU’s Coliseum, Britton’s sister was at the original Coliseum that very same day.
Britton was also given the honor of carrying the torch to light the cauldron, symbolizing the start of the Utah Summer Games. The excited young man was picked up in an ATV where his family was seated at the 30-yard-line, and he was driven around the entire track while he held the torch high.
As he began his ascent up the ramp to the top of the stage, the crowd began screaming wildly, chanting and calling out his name, “Britton! Britton!” After throwing a couple of footballs into the crowd, Britton, who has had to relearn speech as part of his recovery, spoke to the audience.
“Wow, look at everyone out here,” he said. “I am so thankful for all the prayers. … I love each and every one of you.”
Jesse Shipp translated the words to the crowd, for those who may not have understood what his son said. Then he added his own sentiment.
The Utah Summer Games have been a family tradition for years, he said. He, Britton and each of the Shipp children have been athletes in the time-honored event.
“If you guys are athletic, which I know all of you are, thank you for participating here,” Jesse Shipp said. “I participated when I was young and all my kids have, and my daughter has, and we’ve loved coming up to the Summer Games.”
Britton has taught his family the values of the little things in life, his father said.
While Britton was the main honoree at the opening ceremonies Thursday night, he was not the only one. Veterans from all branches of the military, representing some of the most treacherous wars in U.S. history, were lined up for all to see and were presented to the crowd for accolades in honor of the sacrifices they have made for the United States.
Musical group Party Crashers also took the stage, rocking the house, and fireworks lit up the sky during the event.
Throughout the ceremonies, the energy was upbeat and full of enthusiasm as Summer Games fans, athletes and supportive community members were entertained with everything from a clown and his dog to an SUU Senior who stole hearts with her rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
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Cedar City Mayor Maile Wilson finds true love at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
The 30th annual Utah Summer Games opening ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Bill Marcroft, the "voice" of the Utah Summer Games emcee's the 30th annual Utah Summer Games Opening, Southern Utah University Eccles Colliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Bill Marcroft, the "voice" of the Utah Summer Games emcee's the 30th annual Utah Summer Games Opening, Southern Utah University Eccles Colliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
The 30th annual Utah Summer Games opening ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Cedar City Mayor Maile Wilson and City Council members Don Marchant, John Black, Ron Adams and Fred Rowley showed their community spirit at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
The 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
The 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
The 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
The 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
The 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
The 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Tyler Robinson works the sound at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
The 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
The 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Veterans from of various wars are honored for their service and their sacrifices at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Veterans from of various wars are honored for their service and their sacrifices at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Helicopter show at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Samantha Allred belts out "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the start of the 30th annual Utah Summer Games opening ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
The audience places their hands over their hearts as Samantha Allred sings the national anthem at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Cedar, Canyon View, Snow Canyon, Parowan, Enterprise and Millard high schools perform at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Cedar, Canyon View, Snow Canyon, Parowan, Enterprise and Millard high schools perform at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Britton Shipp and family are honored guests at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
The Utah Jazz Bear pumps up the crowd with his wild antics while tossing Jazz T-shirts into the crowd at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
The Utah Jazz Bear pumps up the crowd with his wild antics while tossing Jazz T-shirts into the crowd at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Party Crashers rock the house at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Youth athletes sing along to the Party Crashers at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Party Crashers rock the house at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Party Crashers rock the house at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Party Crashers rock the house at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Party Crashers rock the house at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
The 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
The 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Many stop by to say hi and take a picture with Britton Shipp, who was the star of the night at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Britton Shipp is escorted around the track with the torch to light the cauldron at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Britton Shipp climbs the ramp to the stage to be honored with the Spirit of Games award at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Britton Shipp climbs the ramp to the stage to be honored with the Spirit of Games award at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Britton Shipp receives the Spirit of Games award for his love of sports and outstanding triumphs through hardships at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Britton Shipp receives the Spirit of Games award for his love of sports and outstanding triumphs through hardships at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Britton Shipp throws some footballs into the crowd at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games opening ceremonies, Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Britton Shipp tells the audience he loves all of them very much at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games Opening, Southern Utah University Eccles Colliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Fireworks at the 30th annual Utah Summer Games Opening, Southern Utah University Eccles Colliseum, Cedar City, Utah, June 11, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born and raised in South Jersey, Carin Miller moved to Cedar City 20 years ago or so and found her home. A 2012 graduate of Southern Utah University, she earned her bachelor's degree in communication with a minor in fine art photography – after dropping out of high school at the age of 16.
Carin proved that with a little determination and hard work anything was possible.
Her love of history and family has compelled her to dig up “Legacies Lost to Time” and share them with the world when she is not busy with either work or her four children.
Having worked for the Iron County Today, Alive Utah South and KCSG Television before landing with St. George News, Carin has covered a wide range of issues, events and happenings throughout the Southern Utah region. https://www.facebook.com/carinmillernews