Giving back to host communities at football tailgates

Face paint. Foam fingers. Fans decked out in royal blue. At first glance, football season tailgating by BYU alumni and fans during away games seems downright typical. But since 2021 BYU alumni have taken their game day rituals to a whole new level, redefining tailgating as “COUGS CARE”-- partnering with opposing teams and host communities on game-day donation events that support local nonprofit organizations.

Think of COUGS CARE as a service tailgate. Surveying the results from one COUGS CARE event, a food bank volunteer told a local TV station, “Now I’ve been to tailgate parties, and I have never seen anyone bringing in diapers, and coats, and food.”

BYU alumni chapters collaborate with local organization to ensure every COUGS CARE tailgate is tailored to local needs and outreach. Community partners have included food banks, early childhood development and child literacy initiatives, refugee resettlement organizations, and groups that work with the unhoused.

“COUGS CARE is a way to build bridges and give back to the hosting communities. I love working with our alumni volunteers as we serve Heavenly Father’s children around the country.,” says Curtis Isaak, a senior manager of event and experience for BYU Alumni Relations.

The COUGS CARE momentum is going strong as BYU celebrates its inaugural year in the Big 12. “As long as there are tailgates, we will be working to find a way to serve local communities and make a difference everywhere we go and everywhere we are,” says Michael Johanson, BYU Alumni Relations director.

"We always hope for good news inside the stadium when our Cougars play away from home,” Johanson adds. “But there’s plenty to cheer about the BYU community and the local community working together to make a real impact.”