church in the struggle with BYU athletics. The church used to think of BYU athletics as a valuable missionary tool for the church in the US. The church actually saw very consistent and positive growth in the US during that time. Church leaders were very open to the public about their support of BYU athletics. Church leaders often told recruits about how BYU would bless their lives and how unique BYU athletics are as a missionary tool for the church.

Something changed somewhere in the 90's. BYU athletics became a "burden and problem" to certain church leaders. Many leaders at the time made comments that BYU could do without athletics. One high profile commit back in the early 2000's was actually discouraged by a church leader from going to BYU. He told the young man he could do more good at the other school. The individual went inactive once he arrived at the school. The IPF ruffled a lot of feathers with certain leaders even though financing was all done without a single church donation.

BYU athletics has been trying for years to be able to cash in on concessions sold at events. That money still goes to the BYU Dining Services and BYU athletics has to pick up the tab to clean the stadiums. That extra money from concessions would help the budget significantly.

The latest problem is the basketball practice facility. The church for whatever reason has told BYU that they can not publicly raise funds for the basketball facility. I would love to know why BYU athletics has been told this. BYU athletics is also desperately wanting to get other sports exposure on BYUtv and have been working for years to have a BYUtv Sports channel and app. This has been delayed now for a very long time. I'm not sure what is currently going on with it, but it was predicted to be up-and-running several years back.

I'd love to see BYU athletics to be able to have the support that they once had from leaders.