BYU's Marriott Center is host to a variety of events and basketball games all year, but only once during basketball season do fans have the opportunity to watch the annual Spirit Squad halftime.
This year's version occurred Tuesday night during BYU's 91-57 win over No. 23 Kansas.
This once-a-year, massive production consists of members of the Cougarettes, the Dunk Team and the Cheer Team.
With over 80 athletes participating in this performance, the communication, coordination and talent are all what makes this event extra spectacular.
For an extra touch of fun during this performance, each year, a theme is chosen to be added into the performance. In the past, themes such as "70s," "Top Gun," and "Singing in the Rain" have been selected.
“This year, we did a country theme and both Cheer and the Cougarettes danced for portions of the show in cowboy hats,” said co-coach Morgan St. Pierre of the Cougarettes.
To prepare for such an event, an immense amount of preparation is required from each team," she added. “We started coordinating with Cheer and the Dunk Team about two months ago."
The music is created first and then sections of the songs are delegated out to each team who then have to create performances that correlate with the others in just a few short weeks.
The teams unite together only once or twice before the actual show.
These rehearsals require immense focus, clear communication, and high-alert focus from all involved to ensure that entrances and exits throughout the routine are clear and void of any conflict or potential injury.
These athletes show their professionalism and talents through their successful performances and their ability to pull off a production this grand is all the more impressive.
The rodeo-themed halftime show proved successful, as dancers and cheerleaders leaped and flipped, dunk athletes jumped and audiences roared in amusement.