Whilst a student I religiously guarded my All-Sports Pass. For a few years after graduating from law school, I joined the Cougar Club and maintained my season tickets. Here is my story.

I live in SLC. Ordinarily, it wasn't that big a deal to get down to home games. When it was just me and Mrs. ebv, in fact, we relished the opportunity to get down there early, hit lunch or dinner with friends. Never minded the walk, the parking, the traffic, etc. because (1) the games were ordinarily on Saturdays and allowed for us to plan around traffic, and (2) my first job was flexible enough that taking off early from work to hit the occasional mid-week home game wasn't a big deal.

Now things have changed, both at ebv house and at BYU. I am working at a job that is much more difficult to leave early. I've got two little Cougarettes at home (and hopefully more down the line). I own a home and get the accompanying joys of upkeep and furnishing.

On BYU's end, the prevalence of mid-week games (especially mid-weekers against less exciting opponents) has exploded. The independent schedule, coupled with ESPN's programming influence, has that trend looking up rather than down. Late October and November seems to bring more Saturday games, but by then we're well into the WAC portion of our schedule and games that usually mean little to nothing more than an exhibition. (Yes, sign me up for the camp that would prefer a November game against New Mexico or Colorado State with MWC bragging rights or a title on the line than a meaningless game against San Jose State).

The ordeal of trying to get myself down to the games, let alone bundling up my wife and kids, during a mid-week game requires almost an entire day off. Just to get down there for kickoff requires me to leave Salt Lake well before 4:00pm for a typical kickoff. Earlier if traffic is going to be bad, kickoff is near rush hour, or we want to meet up with someone in Provo early.

I try to hit home games where I can, I'm still a Cougar Club member, and I love my Cougs more than I probably should. But I just can't justify season tickets during this season of life. I already make sacrifices to support my team(s), and I'm there watching on TV or huddled around a radio in the wilds of Montana when I can't get to a home game.

Ultimately, I'm surprised at those CBers who get all high and mighty because the "Utah Cougar fans" can't fill up the stadium on a late-night mid-week matchup. Fandom has different levels of zealotry and willingness to sacrifice. It's also highly dependent on circumstances. Finances for some, family obligations for others, and geography for yet others. We all have to make our decisions.

One day--sooner than later, I hope--I can be at every single home game without fail. Until then, I'll keep rooting for and supporting the Cougs in whatever ways I can.