Yesterday, I posted something said by my daughter in good natured, rivalry smack fun, but it did get me thinking about what engenders a belief that BYU is more than just a football team or a school among so many. This is probably more prevalent to members of the Church who grow up outside of Utah than inside Utah, but I don’t know since I never grew up inside Utah so I won’t go there.

I think children grow up with a deep desire to belong to something greater than them. They obviously get that training early in Primary and in Church. But I also think BYU, for many, represents belonging to something that is bigger and it takes on the life (in some) of being almost an extension of their life in the Church. Now, it doesn’t mean that any member who didn’t go to BYU doesn’t belong that is not what I am saying. We all know that isn’t the case. We are all brothers and sisters here.

I guess trying to talk about objectively isn’t working so I’ll just it this way. To me, growing up BYU wasn’t about the academics, it wasn’t about athletics, it was about being BYU. Something to me always seemed greater, larger, or more purposeful there. I went to grad school after at Kansas State and that was just school. BYU was just so different. Every time I hear of someone’s son or daughter not getting accepted into BYU I feel pained. Even though I know that you can be happy and succeed any where, I feel pained because somebody who wanted to be part of that wasn’t able to be.

My wife and I both graduated from BYU. We both have this deep feeling for BYU and everything it stands for. Mine is more viscerally manifested in my love of the football team, probably the most public part of the school. Is it any wonder our children want to go to BYU so badly? Will they be able? If they aren’t accepted, will they begin to resent not being a part of that until the point comes that they hate all things BYU? My sister tried to transfer from Ricks but didn’t get in and instead went to Utah. She now pretty much hates BYU. Not being included to a private club that you desparetely want to be a part of can do that to you.

I think the love-hate relationship that people have with BYU really shows to me that it is not just a school to many and not just a football team or basketball team, etc., and it does create a dynamic of have v have-nots that is not a good vibe among brothers and sisters of the same faith. Some really don’t care about any of this, and that is great, but some really do. I know that some went to BYU, did great, graduated, and never felt this way. But I do. My wife does, too. We feel it in veins. It’s just a feeling and it’s hard to explain.