LAS VEGAS — While many college teams boast devoted fan bases, few travel as well, or as visibly, as BYU.
No matter the location, Cougar blue seems to find its way into the stands.
Along the Las Vegas Strip, a group of college students clad in BYU gear hurried toward T-Mobile Arena, hoping to make tipoff for the Cougars’ matchup against Villanova Monday for the season-opener.
On their way, curious passersby stopped them, puzzled by the unexpected sea of blue in the middle of Sin City.
“We have a basketball game tonight! We play Villanova,” one fan replied enthusiastically, eager to share their purpose with anyone brave enough to ask.
Throughout the day, similar encounters filled The Strip. But those interactions were outnumbered by friendly exchanges of “Go Cougs!” as fans recognized each other from across the street.
“It’s always fun to see people and give them the ‘Go Cougs,’ especially when you’re out of state,” said BYU student and fan Winston Platt. “Like at Disneyland — you always see a ton of people doing that.”
There’s an irony to fans of a university known for its strict honor code gathering on The Strip. Yet inside T-Mobile Arena, the blue-clad supporters outnumbered nearly every other color, demonstrating the passion and reach of BYU’s community.
Yet, for many Cougar fans, supporting the team goes beyond sports. It’s an extension of faith and shared identity.
“One big thing to me is that BYU, it’s more than just the team,” Platt said. “Ninety-nine percent of the time, it’s members of your church. There’s more than just, ‘Oh, we like the same football team.’ But it’s a culture and a level of understanding, like these are my people in more ways than one.
“There's plenty of people who aren’t members of the church that are BYU fans,” he added. “But it's fun because it’s still something to get easily excited about. As soon as you hear they’re fans, you already have shared experiences, which is super fun.”
However, the reputation of BYU fans extends beyond dedication and shared belief. They are also known for kindness and service — qualities that recently gained national attention.
After the wife of Texas Tech barber Ivan Ortiz was struck by a drunk driver, BYU supporters rallied together, raising more than $150,000 to help the Ortiz family with medical costs.
The GoFundMe for Texas Tech's football team's barber and his family has now crossed $150,000.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) November 6, 2025
BYU fans rallied the college football world around Ivan Ortiz's fundraiser, set up after his wife Maddie was hit by a drunk driver.
His goal was $25,000. pic.twitter.com/D4lLff2bik
“This school is just something different and something special,” said Paige Watson, another BYU student and avid sports fan. “Having the same faith and supporting the same team with that faith and that love — it’s incredible to be a part of.”
In a sports landscape fueled by competition and rivalry, BYU fans stand apart for their unity and compassion. Their devotion is built not only on love for the team but on a shared faith and community that extend beyond the scoreboard. Wherever they go, the Cougar fanbase bring more than just color to the crowd — they bring connection.