Football gathers with fans at Cougar Kickoff

PROVO, Utah — No. 25 BYU football gathered with Cougar fans to celebrate the much-anticipated 2022 football season at the 17th annual Cougar Kickoff at the Student Athlete Building on Wednesday.

"There's not a lot of opportunities for us to get up close with the fans," said BYU linebacker Keenan Pili. "Fan Fests are one of the only times we get to do that, so it's super fun for us to get to know them." 

Prior to the Kickoff Wednesday evening, the team conducted a lift, meetings and a walk-through followed by a trip for a team activity to Top Golf. Select the gallery button above to view photos from Wednesday's team activities or click the link below to see the entire BYU Photo Fall Camp Exposure Gallery. 

• Fall Camp Exposure Gallery

"The Cougar Kickoff has always been the first time each season where our fans get to come out and bump shoulders with the football players and many of our other athletes," said BYU Director of Athletics Tom Holmoe. "We weren't able to do this the last two years due to COVID-19 and weather, so our fans are hungry for some Cougar Kickoff." 

After a two-year hiatus, the Kickoff provided fans the opportunity to mingle with student athletes from the football team, as well as a variety of other BYU teams. Fans were also treated to a close-up of BYU athletic facilities including the football weight room and year-old renovated locker room.

The event also included an assortment of activities, food vendors, prizes and giveaways.

"Our fan experience team did a great job putting together a Kickoff that was bigger, more efficient and more exciting than ever before," Holmoe said. "It was a great night." 

No. 25 BYU football begins its final season of Independence at South Florida on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 4 p.m. EDT on ESPNU. Fans can also listen live to the Cougars’ opener on BYU Radio SiriusXM 143/BYURadio.org/BYU Radio App/KSL 102.7 FM/1160 AM.