BYU Creates ‘Virtual Cougar Walk’ To Keep Gameday Traditions Alive
Sep 23, 2020, 9:44 PM
BYU QB Zach Wilson high fives fans during the Cougar Walk leading up to their game against Utah in 2019. (BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey)
(BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey)
PROVO, Utah – COVID-19 has taken away many of society’s traditions and rituals, but BYU is trying their best to keep their traditions intact amidst the pandemic.
One of the top traditions leading up to a home BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium is the Cougar Walk.
The tradition started just seven years ago during the 2013 season, making its debut before an upset win against the Texas Longhorns. A couple of seasons after BYU made a trip to the SEC to play Ole Miss, where the Rebels have a “Walk of Champions” dotted through the historic tailgate lot known as “The Grove.”
Instantly, the Cougar Walk became a hit with BYU fans, and it has grown over the years.
Sign up for our Virtual Cougar Walk!!
➡️ https://t.co/7DuSVsg3c6#BYUFOOTBALL #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/pre4jWjgkB
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 24, 2020
With COVID-19 leaving BYU with no fans able to attend the first home games in 2020, BYU’s marketing department, led by David Almodova (BYU’s Director of Marketing & Promotions), created a virtual Cougar Walk for fans to keep the tradition alive.
BYU fans can sign up for the “Virtual Cougar Walk”
Fans can sign up for the opportunity to be part of the virtual walk for Saturday’s game against the Troy Trojans using the form provided at this link.
Board is up and ready! Need cougar fans to sign up and welcome our team to Lavell Edwards Stadium Saturday night! https://t.co/qmr4aVw4GW pic.twitter.com/JV6Y9CKt8Q
— David Almodova 💛💜 (@DKaulana) September 24, 2020
The form states, “If you are selected to be part of the Virtual Cougar Walk, you will be contacted via email with a Zoom link to access the Virtual Cougar Walk, beginning at 6:00 pm MT.”
Last year, the Cougar Walk took place on Canyon Blvd. as part of another tradition called “Cougar Canyon” west of LaVell Edwards Stadium. This year, the virtual fans will be on a board in the southeast corner of LES for Kalani Sitake and his BYU football team to see when they arrive on Saturday night to face the Troy Trojans.
No. 18 BYU vs. Troy
Kickoff: 8:15 pm (MDT)
TV: ESPN
Radio: KSL Newsradio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM)
Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium (Provo, Utah)
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm, KSL Newsradio). Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
