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| BYU and University of Arizona officials, mascots, cheerleaders at BYU’s tailgate party before the BYU vs. University of Arizona football game in Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday, October 11, 2025. |
The roar of the crowd, the intensity of the competition, the drama of a game-winning score—these are the hallmarks of major college athletics. But for Brigham Young University (BYU), a trip to an opposing school is about more than just a win or a loss; it's an opportunity for collective compassion.
This past weekend in Tucson, Arizona, as the BYU Cougars prepared to face the University of Arizona, the usual pregame buzz took a notably different, more meaningful turn. It wasn't just a tailgate party; it was a "party with a purpose," transforming the spirit of rivalry into one of heartfelt partnership.
From Competition to Collaboration in Tucson
On Saturday, October 11, 2025, the energy on the University of Arizona campus was electric, but the focus for many was on Sunnyside. The local BYU alumni chapter spearheaded a massive "read and feed" service project, inviting fans from both the Cougars and the Wildcats to participate. The goal was simple but vital: donate food and books to support Sunnyside Elementary School and the Sunnyside Community Food Pantry.
BYU President Shane Reese encapsulated the spirit perfectly: "We don't call these things a party with a purpose for no reason."
This commitment to service on the road isn’t a coincidence; it's a deliberate and defining strategy. When BYU entered the highly competitive Big 12 conference in 2023, the school made a conscious choice to "develop the courage to be different." As President Reese put it, "We decided that one of the ways we could do that better than anything is to serve in ways that are meaningful to the community."
The university, owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, lives by its unofficial motto: "Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve." For the athletic department, this mandate becomes a platform to "shine Christ’s light" wherever their teams travel.
University of Arizona Athletic Director Desireé Reed-Francois acknowledged the powerful effect of the initiative, calling it "true sportsmanship" and an "incredible tradition."
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| Students Serving Students |
The Local Impact: Students Serving Students
What made the Tucson effort particularly poignant was the level of local involvement. It wasn't just a handful of visiting fans; students from the local Sunnyside school system were right there, lending a hand to their own community.
"I’m having a great time. Everybody’s really friendly. Everybody’s really nice. I love getting out there. I love giving to my community," said Destiney Arriola, a student at Sunnyside High School. Her classmate, Esmeralda Cruz, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the communal bonds: "We’re all a family here. We’re all a community. And that’s what we’re here to do."
The service wasn't limited to the pregame donations. Earlier that week, a massive donation by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brought a semitruck loaded with 40,000 pounds of food to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, with some of those provisions earmarked for the Sunnyside Foundation’s "Youth on Their Own" program. This monumental donation underscored that the commitment is institutional and designed to address large-scale needs.
As Blaine Maxfield, a managing director for the Church's Welfare and Self-Reliance Services, noted, "As we unite in service, we not only strengthen our communities but also reflect the Savior’s love in ways that uplift and inspire."
The Growing Tradition: Cougar Service Across the Nation
The "party with a purpose" initiative in Tucson is the latest chapter in a growing tradition of service tied to BYU football games. It’s a strategy that officially began in 2019 when the Cougars played at Tennessee and collaborated on a coat and food drive. Since then, the BYU Alumni Association, working closely with local charities, has made service-focused gatherings a staple of the gameday experience.
A Look at the Scoreboard of Service (2024 Highlights):
While fans often track touchdowns and defensive stops, the service scoreboard shows a different kind of victory:
Wyoming: Over 2,000 pounds of food donated to the University of Wyoming food pantry.
Tempe, Arizona: 3,000 books collected for a local literacy program.
Dallas, Texas: 1,000 art supplies provided for a nonprofit serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
San Antonio, Texas: Over 500 pairs of underwear donated for the unhoused population.
This remarkable track record demonstrates a sustained commitment that is deeply woven into the fabric of the university. The message is clear, the athletic program serves as an ambassador not just for the school, but for the fundamental values of faith and service upon which it was founded.
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| Celebrating 150 Years |
Celebrating 150 Years: The All-Alumni Call to Action
The 2025 season carries even greater significance as BYU celebrates its 150th anniversary—a Sesquicentennial celebration themed around "Celebrating Gifts of Light." This milestone has been coupled with an extraordinary challenge to the entire BYU community: all 466,000 living alumni are invited to commit to 150 hours of service during the year.
This vast, coordinated effort is designed to amplify the school's impact on a global scale. As President Reese stated, "We’re hoping that what it really does is lift the communities where so many Cougars are gathered."
The 150-hour service goal isn't just a number; it’s a rallying cry to activate the school's enormous network of alumni to be "Beacons of Light" in their own neighborhoods.
"It’s an amazing way to simply let the light of Christ shine through our everyday actions," President Reese concluded.
In an era where college sports dominate the cultural conversation, BYU is carving out a unique space, demonstrating that high-level competition and profound compassion are not mutually exclusive. They are proving that the most meaningful victories often happen not on the scoreboard, but in the heart of the community.
What are your thoughts? Do you know of other college programs that have a similar service tradition? How does this type of commitment change the atmosphere of a rivalry game? Share your thoughts and service stories below!
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