By ERIC ANDERSON
The Student Alumni Association donates 50 tickets to each BYU home football and men’s basketball games to charities, groups and individuals that might not normally get to attend a game.
Mark Woodruff, director of communications and marketing for SAA said the donated tickets are all grouped together in an area known as “Cosmo’s Corner.”
Along with the ticket to the game, each person in Cosmo’s Corner is given a food coupon donated by BYU Food Services.
“We are reaching out in the community to families, children and others who might not normally be able to attend a game,” Woodruff said.
During a game, Cosmo visits Cosmo’s Corner. He hands out pencils and small badges to the children and stays long enough for many of the children to get a picture taken with him.
The Joy of Downs, Inc., an organization for children with Down’s Syndrome and their families, sat in Cosmo’s Corner during BYU’s first home game against Washington. Allen Johns, President of The Joy of Downs, Inc., wrote a letter of thanks to SAA.
“You would have enjoyed their excitement, especially when Cosmo made a visit to them … Cosmo spent some quality time with the children with Downs and made them feel special,” Johns wrote.
A group of single parents and their children were invited to attend Friday’s home football game against Utah State University.
Jared Knight, program administrator of Aspen Grove, which is owned and operated by SAA, said that “in June the Alumni Association sponsored a single parent retreat at Aspen Grove … We’ve invited some of those that participated to Cosmo’s Corner.”
Colene Jensen, from Salt Lake City, watched the game with her two children, Skylar, 8, and Ashli, 6. This was their first BYU game.
“It’s nice to be able to bring your kids,” she said. Skylar said the game was “great!” When asked what she like best about the game, Ashli said “BYU.”
Rebecca Rose, a junior from Los Angeles, majoring in microbiology, and two of her three children attended the game. This was their first BYU game as a family.
“This is a great event because I never get to go anywhere with my kids. The game is awesome. We’ve always wanted to go to a BYU game,” she said.
