Freeman Park in Idaho Falls was the place to be Saturday for BYU Cougar fans. BYU Athletics traveled from Provo, Utah, to Idaho Falls for fans to meet and greet players and coaches.
Anna Metcalf, the current BYU FanFest coordinator, said these events have been happening for the past 10 to 12 years.
“The Ultimate goal is that we are bringing BYU to the fans. We realize we have a nationwide fan base, and we really appreciate them, and we want to make sure our fans know that,” she said.
The 72 degree weather made it the perfect day for fans to get signatures from their favorite athletes, to participate in the free games provided and to even grab a quick selfie with BYU’s famous mascot, Cosmo the Cougar.
Raider Damuni, a safety on the football team, appreciated being at this year’s FanFest.
“I love the fans! We go everywhere and they support us, so this is a way I can give back to the fans and support them and show them love,” Damuni said.
The players and coaches showed their gratitude by signing jerseys and posters, taking hundreds of photos, and conversing about the amazing culture of BYU sports.
“BYU is so different than any other team out there”, one fan commented, “I would say that just the comradery, the fact that they have that faith in Christ as the base of everything that they do, is what makes them so different.”
BYU football’s Big XII Conference record for the 2024 season was 7-2, ranking 13th in the final AP poll. Coach Kilani Sitaki, had a big role in the success of their season.
“I’m focused on the culture and what our guys do,” Sitaki said, “I tell them if they want to be the best football player, they need to be the best brothers, sons, friend that they can be. How you do one thing is how you do everything.”
BYU will continue the tradition of visiting their fans throughout the county. To see when and where the next FanFest will happen, visit BYUcougars.com.
