2009 Football Fireside Schedule

Prior to each football game during the season, including both home and road games, Coach Mendenhall, his wife, Holly, and members of the BYU football team participate in an hour-long devotional. These devotionals are referred to as "firesides" and are intended to help players, coaches, and those who attend strengthen or gain a knowledge of our purpose here on earth.

"The firesides have been a way for us to make a very clear statement of what our priorities are, or should be," Mendenhall says. "Football is simply the vehicle we use to help others come to a knowledge of what really brings joy and happiness to our lives. Football is not the priority. Some people don't understand that. These firesides are a way for all of us to help consider our priorities through understanding the purpose of life.

"Through the messages, as well as the musical numbers that are performed, it's a way to bring peace and happiness to our lives -- it's a way for us to give back by sharing with others the real meaning, or purpose of life."

The BYU football team has been holding weekly firesides throughout the football season since the Cougars' trip to New Mexico during the 2005 season.

"Prior to holding these firesides, I never felt settled about our regular Friday-night routine," Mendenhall says. "I always felt like we should be doing something more -- something that would allow us to give back to the community. It was an unsettled feeling that didn't ever go away until I came to a clear knowledge of what it was that we were supposed to be doing. It has been rewarding to see how the players, as well as others have embraced it."

Speakers at the weekly firesides talk about the meaning of discipleship, and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Messages will focus on how we should seek to follow the Savior's example in all aspects of our life, and as we do so, we can come to a clear understanding of our purpose here on earth.

"Discipleship is a lifelong journey," Mendenhall explains. "Being a disciple of Christ should influence every aspect of our life, every day, month and year of our life."

Following is a list of fireside dates and the locations for each fireside.

2009 BYU FOOTBALL FIRESIDES

Friday, Sept. 4

Carrollton Stake Center; 7 p.m. (CT)

40000 Nazarene Drive

Carrollton, Texas

Admittance to the Carrollton Stake Center will be by TICKET ONLY (distributed in local stakes) except for parents and wives of players.

Alternate sites with a live simulcast:

Richardson Texas Stake Center

900 South Bowser Road

Richardson, Texas 75081

Coppell Texas Chapel

615 North MacArthur Blvd.

Coppell, Texas 75019

Norman Oklahoma Stake Center

1506 W Imhoff Rd

Norman, OK

Moore Oklahoma Stake Center

12915 S. Santa Fe

Moore, OK

Friday, Sept. 11

J.W. Marriott Hotel Ballroom; 7 p.m. (CT)

614 Canal Street

New Orleans, Louisiana

Friday, Sept. 18

Orem Windsor Stake Center; 7 p.m. (MT)

60 East 1600 North

Orem, Utah

Friday, Sept. 25

American Fork Tabernacle; 7 p.m. (MT)

110 East Main Street

American Fork, Utah

Thursday, Oct. 1

Provo Tabernacle; 7 p.m. (MT)

100 S University Avenue

Provo, Utah

Friday, Oct. 9

Green Valley Stake Center; 7 p.m. (PT)

410 North Valle Verde Drive

Henderson, Nevada

Friday, Oct. 16

San Diego North Stake Center; 7 p.m. (PT)

4741 Mt. Abernathy Avenue

San Diego, California 92117

Friday, Oct. 23

Springville West Stake Center; 7 p.m. (MT)

996 West Center Street

Springville, Utah

Friday, Nov. 6

Cheyenne Wyoming Stake Center; 7 p.m. (MT)

Western Hills & Education Drive

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Friday, Nov. 13

Albuquerque Stake Montano Chapel; 7 p.m. (MT)

1100 Montano Road

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Friday, Nov. 20

American Fork Tabernacle; 7 p.m. (MT)

110 East Main Street

American Fork, Utah

Friday, Nov. 27

Spanish Fork Palmyra Stake; 7 p.m. (MT)

505 East 900 North

Spanish Fork, Utah