Cosmo led the crowd in cheers as the marching band played various songs to kick off BYU’s homecoming opening ceremonies. BYU’s color guard and cheerleaders also pumped up the crowd with dancing and cheers as students filed into the Marriott Center Tuesday morning.
The ceremonies officially started with everyone joining together in the fight song.
Advancement Vice President of BYU Mathew O. Richardson welcomed attendees with a comparison between the movie “Home Alone” and BYU. He mentioned a couple commonalities between the two.
He said his favorite similarity in the movie was the theme of homecomings.
“Homecomings are about gathering together, coming together and sharing the experiences together,” Richardson said. “So many people call BYU their home.”
After Richardson’s remarks, the BYU Marching band performed Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”.
BYU President Kevin J Worthen then addressed the crowd introducing this year’s homecoming theme as “Loyal, Strong and True.” He talked about how there would be a special focus on honoring Lavell Edwards.
BYU’s acapella group Noteworthy then performed Colbie Caillet’s “Never Gonna Let You Down.”
BYU Alumni Association President Amy Fennegan then introduced this year’s George H. Brimhall memorial essay contest winners. Their essays honored Lavell Edwards in the context of this year’s homecoming theme.
Bethany Hartt, Paul Hatch, and Trisha Jones Weekes received honorable mentions. Caitlin Larking took third place and Brette Bennett received second.
John H. Groberg, one of Brimhall’s ancestors, announced Sarah Clifford as the first place winner. Clifford then shared her winning essay with the Marriott crowd.
A memorial video of Lavell Edwards followed her reading.
BYU Athletics Director Tom Holmoe recounted his memories from the season they won.
”He believed in his players,” Holmoe said. “Lavell was always loyal, always strong, always true.”
BYU Sports Nation talked about how fans could help in the upcoming game against Boise and showed the top 5 plays of the BYU vs. Boise games.
The 16-time national champion Cougarettes then performed followed by the cheerleaders and Cosmo leading the crowd in the Cougar fight song.
Attendees were invited to follow the marching band from the Marriott Center to Brigham Square for a free lunch following the conclusion of the ceremony.
A full list of this week’s events can be found on BYU’s homecoming website.
