BYU athletics are likely not a subject of routine conversation, but I can assure you any major decision involving them will not be made in a vacuum. For all intents and purposes (or intensive purposes for some of you) BYUtv is built around BYU athletics. It's not an exagerration to say BYU athletics is seen as a missionary tool because of reputation and exposure. Neither BYU-I nor BYU-H bring cache'.

When you get enough anecdotes of people tuning in to BYUtv because of sports it becomes more than anecdotal evidence, it becomes a pattern. BYU athletics is going to be around a while because not only do they provide great opportunity for the top athletes in the LDS community, it is an ambassador.

And those who worry about BYU falling behind in terms of money...it won't. If the need becomes great enough, the resources will follow in the way they always do at BYU, they get essentially paid for, and then they are built. Even if BYU had Oregon's money, BYU would not be Oregon. It's not the way BYU operates.

Money is not an issue for BYU and will never be. Exposure is no longer an issue and if the paradigm remains, will never be. Access...now that is an issue...but while the path may be far more difficult, it's not impossible. Winning and winning with style can solve the access problem. In the meantime, let's enjoy the fact that BYU football and basketball appear to be very solid and possibly set to make a real splash. It's a great time to be a Cougar...and you can watch it everyday on BYU Sportsnation...