Why BYU?

WHY BYU?: TOP 10 REASONS

REASON NO. 1
Our Mission
BYU provides an opportunity for student-athletes to grow mentally, physically and spiritually. To this end, BYU Rugby program seeks to develop students of faith, intellect, and character who have the skills and the desire to continue learning and to serve others throughout their lives.

Did you know …

• BYU’s honor code requires a drug and alcohol-free commitment from its students, helping them to focus on spiritual, academic and athletic excellence.
• BYU student-athletes learn personal strength and commitment through living with honor and through serving others.
• BYU has an outstanding academic reputation.

REASON NO. 2
Spiritually Strengthening, Intellectually Enlarging and Character Building
The founding charge of BYU is to teach every subject with the Spirit.  This ideal arises from the common purpose of all education at BYU to build testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. A shared desire to “seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118) knits BYU into a unique educational community.

The intellectual range of a BYU education is the result of an ambitious commitment to pursue truth. Members of the BYU community rigorously study academic subjects in the light of divine truth. An eternal perspective shapes not only how students are taught but what they are taught.

Because it seeks to educate students who are renowned for what they are as well as for what they know, Brigham Young University has always cared as much about strong moral character as about great mental capability. Consequently, a BYU education should reinforce such moral virtues as integrity, reverence, modesty, self-control, courage, compassion, and industry.

The development of character is so important that BYU “has no justification for its existence unless it builds character, creates and develops faith, and makes men and women of strength and courage, fortitude, and service.” The BYU experience should therefore strengthen character.

REASON NO. 3
Lifelong Learning and Service
By “entering to learn” and continuing to learn as they “go forth to serve,” BYU students strengthen not only themselves – they “also bring strength to others in the tasks of home and family life, social relationships, civic duty, and service to mankind.”

BYU should inspire students to keep alive their curiosity and prepare them to continue learning throughout their lives.  A BYU diploma is a beginning, not an end, pointing the way to a habit of constant learning. In an era of rapid changes in technology and information, the knowledge and skills learned this year may require renewal the next. Therefore, a BYU degree should educate students in how to learn, teach them that there is much still to learn, and implant in them a love of learning.

BYU should nurture in its students the desire to use their knowledge and skills not only to enrich their own lives but also to bless their families, their communities, the Church, and the larger society. Students should learn, then demonstrate, that their ultimate allegiance is to higher values, principles, and human commitments rather than to mere self-interest.

REASON NO. 4
Tradition
For BYU Rugby, the past 30+ years have been packed full of strong teams, USA Eagles, All Americans and national honors. Since 2004 BYU has played in the National Championship or semifinal 5 times. The Cougars have won a National Championship in 2009 and claimed 5 Wasatch Cup Championships since 2004. The Cougars also boast one of the winningest head coaches in David Smyth.

Did you know …

• BYU won the National Championship in 2009.
• BYU has participated in 4 National Championship Finals and one semi-final
• BYU has won 5 Wasatch Cup Championships since the competition’s inception in 2004
• BYU have promoted 7 USA Eagles & 21 All Americans since 2001
• Current BYU head coach David Smyth has posted a record of TBD (.TBD%), since 1991

REASON NO. 5
Schedule & Opponents

BYU traditionally schedules a challenging, well-balanced and nationally recognized non-conference schedule. Over the past few years, BYU has earned non-conference victories over top-ranked Cal Berkeley, Air Force, Stanford, Penn State, Army, San Diego State, Colorado, Texas A&M — just to name a few. Continuing the tradition of scheduling nationally recognized programs, over the next few years the Cougars will face more top ranked national rugby powers.

REASON NO. 6
National Television Exposure
BYU rugby was the first college rugby program to be broadcast live on national television in United States. BYUtv is syndicated on cable and satellite TV networks into over 48 million homes. BYU will consistently be broadcast on BYUtv and other national sports TV outlets.  The Cougars have also been highlighted on numerous national and local news outlets. Thanks to a strong national following, a winning tradition, and the Cougars’ high-profile future schedule, the national exposure of BYU rugby is sure to increase.

National Exposure

• First live national telecast of collegiate rugby: BYU vs. Utah State, March 10, 2009 (BYUtv)
• ESPNU National Guard Game of the Week: BYU vs. Utah, March 27, 2009
• ESPNU National Guard USA Rugby Championship: BYU vs. Cal, May 2, 2009
• Second live national telecast of collegiate rugby: BYU vs. Utah, March 6, 2010 (BYUtv)
• Third live national telecast of collegiate rugby: BYU vs. Colorado, March 13, 2010 (BYUtv)

REASON NO. 7
FAN & COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Few universities have a fan base as loyal, dedicated and die-hard as BYU. Cougar fans are some of the greatest fans on earth. Thanks to its affiliation with the LDS Church, BYU has a strong national and international following. No matter the venue, home or away, the Cougars always have a large and vocal following in the stands.

REASON NO. 8
Outstanding Facilities
BYU is home to some of the nation’s top football facilities and the rugby program is a direct benefactor. BYU has invested millions of dollars over the past five years to upgrade its athletic facilities. The Cougars’ state-of-the-art facilities include a two-story strength and conditioning center, the nation’s largest indoor practice facility, top-flite athletic training facilities, outdoor practice fields and one of the country’s best rugby venues in South Field Stadium.

Facilities

• 3,000-seat South Field Stadium
• Largest indoor practice facility in the country
• State-of-the-art Student-Athlete Academic Center
• World-Class Weightlifting Facilities
• Top-flite Athletic Training Facilities
• Premier training venues

REASON NO. 9
Coaching
The BYU Rugby program wouldn’t be where it is today with out the coaching staff that it is has had over it’s history. Namely, head coach David Smyth, salvaged a once proud program in the early 1990′s and restored it to national prominence quickly. Smyth and his staff include former USA Eagles and All Americans as well as internationally respected and experienced coaches. These coaches along with the support work to achieve the missions of BYU and the goals of the rugby program on and off the field.

REASON NO. 10
Rugby Fraternity
BYU doesn’t have any fraternal orders on campus, but the BYU Rugby program is a network of alumni that support each other and the experience they shared while wearing the ‘Y’ on their chest. Being a member of the rugby family during and after your years at BYU means having a support structure of people that will always share a common bond and objective as stated in Reasons No. 1 & 2. The BYU Rugby alumni network is made up some of the nation’s top leaders, business professionals and academics.

BYU Rugby Alumni Network

• Graduate studies at Harvard, Wharton, Berkeley, Stanford and other top universities
• Lawyers, doctors, professors, politicians, military leaders and numerous successful business professionals
• Long term relationships with team mates and alumni