From the Nominator

The Brigham Young University (BYU) Alumni Association tagline is “Connected for Good.” Our alumni are not only connected to each other and to the university, but are also connected to doing good in their local communities. That is why, when asked by university administration to elevate the level of the alumni tailgates at away football games, the chapters and the Alumni staff created the Cougs Care initiative, fostering more opportunities for our alumni to be connected for good. With the implementation of the Cougs Care initiative, each BYU football away tailgate features not only food and fun for the BYU fans but also a unique service project benefitting a local nonprofit. Alumni staff and local alumni chapters coordinate the projects with local service organizations who know the hosting community's needs. Since its inception, Cougs Care has been meeting those needs by donating thousands of dollars, collecting thousands of donations, and engaging thousands of alumni in meaningful service. As they serve, BYU alumni also become more aware of and engaged in local service organizations and more connected to other members of the community who share a desire to serve. The excitement of game day may pass, but the Cougs Care service projects have created lasting positive relationships between BYU and the communities and universities they serve, proving that even rivals in a football game can be connected for good.

From the Judges

Brigham Young University went above and beyond by uniting various communities, including their competitors, to become agents of social change. They engaged thousands of alumni in meaningful service and created camaraderie before their football games. What stood out the most was their strategic use of a designated point person for each project, in conjunction with the hosting university and the benefiting organization.