USU Athletics Hall of Fame class of 2025: Andersen, Larsen, Christensen
Utah State inducted seven new members into the USU Athletics Hall of Fame on Sept. 12 at the Russell/Wanlass Performance Hall at USU. The 2025 Hall of Fame class included former head football coach Gary Andersen, former women’s basketball player Devyn Christensen and former football player Tyler Larsen.
Devyn Christensen
Christensen played for women’s basketball from 2010–13, earning first team All-Western Athletic Conference honors in her final two seasons. Christensen knew from a young age she wanted to play basketball both collegiately and professionally.
“If you could see my heart beating in my chest, it would be a basketball bouncing up and down,” Christensen said to open her speech. She continued by sharing how basketball is her love language and her life. Christensen also shared 70% of kids drop out of competitive sports at the age of 13 and how her parents’s support and love helped with her obsession with basketball.
Though USU wasn’t her first choice and she imagined her college years at a school close to the beach, she shared how hard she was pushed by former coach Jennifer Raegan Pebley and how her thought of switching schools that first season was prevalent. However, Christensen ended up being appreciative of how Pebley pushed her.
“The grass is green if you make it green,” Christensen said. She also expressed her gratitude that Utah State opened the door for her to play basketball.
Christensen ended her speech saying, “It’s worth pursuing things, especially when things are hard, because that’s how we grow. Hard things are worth doing.”
Tyler Larsen
Larsen played football from 2009–13, earning second-team All-American honors following his senior season in 2013. Larsen is one of just 10 players in school history to be named a three-time first-team All-American, playing 54 games in total.
“Football has given me so much,” Larsen said. Those early days taught him to keep showing up and how to always improve.
Larsen also expressed his thanks to his family and that he does not take for granted their support.
“My family’s truly been a huge foundation for my journey,” Larsen said.
Larsen shared how he always thought of going to USU, saying it felt like home and somewhere he should be.
He also shouted out his kids, wife, parents and sisters, telling his kids what’s possible from hard work and commitment. Larsen also thanked his wife for being his biggest fan, strongest supporter, strongest critic and rock.
He also thanked his coaches for pushing him farther than he knew.
“I’m proud to have worn that Utah State uniform,” Larsen said.
Larsen ended his speech by thanking the Aggie faithful.
“I’d like to thank the Cache Valley community and Aggie fans. From the bottom of my heart, I just want to thank everyone and the place I call home: where the sagebrush grows,” Larsen said.
Gary Andersen
Andersen served as the head football coach from 2009–12 and returned for a second stint from 2019–20.
Andersen is the only coach in program history to serve multiple tenures.
“The Aggies of 2012 became one of the best teams ever,” Andersen said.
Andersen began by handing his wife a football, saying, “She’s the true hero in this whole thing for sure.”
The former Aggies coach proceeded to tell his story about getting the job at USU. Andersen met with the players first and instantly knew he wanted the job. He said he kept it simple by loving the kids.
He also shared a story about a game where the players were upset and explained the perseverance of the players going out on the field.
When Andersen got the offer to be the head coach for Wisconsin in 2013, he called all his players at USU to tell them goodbye.
Andersen also reflected on his short season here from 2019–2020, saying, “I learned a lot about Aggie Nation I never knew in that year — about the closeness of the community.”
Andersen proceeded to talk to the student-athletes about going forward into the Pac-12.
“We all need to bond together, and we need to fight,” Andersen said. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be here. Thank you, Utah State. Go Aggies.”
Information on the other athletes inducted can be found here.