The priests and laurels of the Kinston, NC stake had the privilege of feeding the BYU football team last night in Greenville, NC. What a wonderful experience for our youth and many members of the community who have been looking forward to BYU coming to Greenville for years. By the way, the news about a renewed series with ECU in the near future was a welcome bit of light to BYU fans in North Carolina during these dark times. We are thrilled BYU will be coming back.

The team landed in Greenville at 6:30PM last night and immediately came to the First Christian church, a location large enough for us to adequately and comfortably host everyone. Holmoe, Sitake, Lamb, Detmer, and Tuiaki were each given a purple and gold ECU lei, which was such a thrill for our youth who were able to present them to these men. The coaches graciously accepted the gift and the team began their meal. We fed them a true eastern NC feast - North Carolina vinegar based BBQ pork, hush puppies, cole slaw, fried chicken, and banana pudding for dessert. Strictly water to drink

Hopefully we lifted the team's spirits as we lined the sidewalk leading to the church and cheered for them as they walked in from the buses and did the same as they left.

The coaches and players were so incredibly gracious and kind. Countless players and coaches thanked us, hugged us, took pictures with us, laughed with us and it was really a special experience for many fans here in the East who don't have opportunities like this often.

I helped one of our young women serve Tanner Mangum and she told him they had to win on Saturday or she would "totally get made fun of at school" because she has been telling everyone that BYU will beat ECU. Mangum handled it great, laughed and said, "You got it! We'll do it for you."

Tejan and Fred are physical specimens by the way. Man, those boys are big and strong. The team really seemed to be in good spirits. Although Sitake and Detmer were cordial, you could tell they seemed focused and serious too. I overheard Detmer say to someone "We are getting this thing turned around. We will be better on Saturday."

Although the team has played poorly recently this event was intended to be all positive and was supposed to be something designed to help the team feel loved, supported, and excited to be in North Carolina. We won't fill the stadium Saturday but I will be there with over 100 friends and family from Greenville and we will always love and support the Cougs no matter what.

It was especially cool for my Dad, a 1967 BYU grad to get to spend meaningful time talking with Sitake, Detmer and others and just express his love for the university and the team. Welcome to North Carolina! Go Cougs! Kill ECU.