From Competition to Collaboration: How BYU Athletics Shines Christ’s Light Through Service

When the Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars football team travels for games, it turns competition into collaboration to help those in need.

The most recent example came October 11, 2025, on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson. The pregame party included service spearheaded by the local BYU alumni chapter and others. Their focus was giving to the local community. Fans from both teams participated in a “read and feed” service project, donating food and books to support Sunnyside Elementary School and the Sunnyside Community Food Pantry.

“We don’t call these things a party with a purpose for no reason,” said BYU President Shane Reese.

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Since 2023, when BYU’s sports teams entered the Big 12 conference — a major collegiate athletics conference in the United States — the school has sought to “develop the courage to be different,” President Reese said.

“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,” he added.

BYU, whose motto is “Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve,” is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The impetus for service is the model set by the Savior of the world.

“It’s all about all of us giving back, to the Christ-centered beliefs that we have, that we’re all in this together,” said BYU Director of Athletics Brian Santiago.

University of Arizona Athletic Director Desireé Reed-Francois praised these pregame initiatives as “true sportsmanship.”

“We’re really grateful for all that the BYU community brings,” Reed-Francois said. “I think this is an incredible tradition.”

In addition to helping others, this tradition involves many in local communities — including those on the receiving end of the service. On Saturday, many in the Sunnyside school system lent a helping hand.

“We’re just doing some fundraising for books and canned food and stuff just to provide back,” said Destiney Arriola, a student at Sunnyside High School. “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. It’s something we’ve never done before, and I think it’s a really big step for us.”

“From a very young age I always wanted to be a teacher. I want to be a leader,” said fellow Sunnyside High School student Esmeralda Cruz. “I want to be able to help out as much as I can. We’re all a family here. We’re all a community. And that’s what we’re here to do.”

The service went beyond boxes of books and canned goods. Earlier in the week, a semitruck from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints delivered 40,000 pounds of food to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Some of those provisions will go to the Sunnyside Foundation to support their “Youth on Their Own” program.

“I just thought it was really beautiful that you come into these communities and learn about work that’s being done to strengthen those communities and support them in this way,” said Veronica Cruz-Mercado, director of operations for the Sunnyside Foundation.

Blaine Maxfield, managing director of the Church’s Welfare and Self-Reliance Services, expressed gratitude to “be part of the good happening here in Tucson, Arizona.”

“As we unite in service,” he said, “we not only strengthen our communities but also reflect the Savior’s love in ways that uplift and inspire. When we choose to serve, we follow the example of Christ to care for those in need."

This pregame service tradition began in 2019 when BYU played at Tennessee and collaborated with the Knox Area Rescue Ministries on a coat and food drive. Working closely with local charities, the BYU Alumni Association has organized service-focused gatherings at many BYU football games outside of Provo since that time.

In 2024, BYU fans and others donated more than 2,000 pounds of food to the University of Wyoming food pantry, 3,000 books to a literacy program in Tempe, Arizona, 1,000 art supplies for a nonprofit in Dallas that serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and more than 500 pairs of underwear for the unhoused in San Antonio.

The year 2025 adds a unique twist to the focus on service. BYU is celebrating its 150th year, and all 466,000 of its living alumni are invited to do 150 hours of service during the year.

“It’s going to be a year of celebration unlike anything you’ve ever seen,” President Reese said. “We’re hoping that what it really does is lift the communities where so many Cougars are gathered. “It’s an amazing way to simply let the light of Christ shine through our everyday actions.”