I have great memories of attending BYU basketball games as a student (1997-98, 2000-2004). I religiously arrived early to the Marriott Center to get great seats and was almost always on the front row. I remember camping out several times in the cold to make sure that I was on the front row for the BYU-Utah game. The Cougars almost never lost at home during these years (57-1 from 2000-2004) with me faithfully attending at each game. Because of my cheering over the years, the Cougars have had a number of memorable wins over the Utes including several blow out victories. A favorite memory was watching BYU play Utah in '09 and seeing Luke Neville (affectionately known as Beaker) get stuffed and cheering so loudly that I momentarily passed out. My favorite memory was the 2002 game at the Marriott Center.

This game was played during the middle of the olympics. Maybe BYU was to caught up in the excitement of the games as BYU didn't start out very well and feel behind 43-26 at the half. During half time, Jake Shoff who was redshirting at the time came over to the student section to help rile up the crowd and get us going after the discouraging start. I remember Jake Shoff and then Travis Hansen coming over and yelling at us and waiving their towels and yelling and cheering right back. The thought still brings a smile to my face 15 years later. The student section responded and BYU responded and the Cougars came roaring back from a 21 pt deficit to beat the Utes 63-61.

If I am awarded the tickets, I will reach out to Jake Shoff (an old childhood friend) and invite him to attend the game to me. Together, we will get the traditionally lifeless and disinterested blue hairs to "Rise & Shout" and cheer the Cougars to a much needed victory, just like we did in 2002.

If by chance Jake is unavailable, I will take my 10 yr old daughter (who is convinced that BYU will win this year for her birthday) and my 13 yr old son who has no memories of a BYU victory over Utah in either major sport but wears BYU gear every single day to Jr High.

Go Cougs!!!