Matt is extremely happy that college football is here, and was even happier that we got to go see our BYU cougars in Mississippi. He was so prepared for this game, and researched all about games at Ole Miss so we would be ready.
We headed out Friday so we could be there for the team fireside in Tupelo, Mississippi. A fireside is term that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) use to describe an evening meeting with speeches given on spiritual topics and musical performances. The BYU head football coach Bronco Mendenhall has a tradition of holding a fireside at a local church building near the university where the game is held. Members of the team volunteer and sign up to give a short speech/talk about their experiences and belief in Jesus Christ and His gospel, as well as to provide music.
One player originally from the South talked about his mission experiences in Mozambique. Another member of the team played the piano and sang "I Know that My Redeemer Lives." Other players shared experiences they have had that have strengthened their belief in Jesus Christ. The coach's wife shared her testimony, and then Coach Mendenhall spoke. He focused on the message that members of BYU football strive to share, which centers on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and his saving atonement. In a world where success in sports seems to be everything, he wants his players to focus on playing the best they can, but more importantly BEING the best examples of Christ they can be.
There was actually a city council member there who was there representing the mayor. The city councilman presented President Samuelson, who is the President of BYU and was in attendance, with a key to the city and a letter from the Mayor of Tupelo. The councilman spoke of how influential the members of the church are in that city in doing good. He was amazed that the entire football team would give their time on the night before the game to spread Christianity and visit with members of the church and people in the community. If you ever have a chance to go to one of these firesides, DO IT! They are amazing. This pic is after the fireside as the players got on the buses.
After the fireside we went to eat at Chili's. Apparently Tupelo, MS is the birthplace of Elvis!!!
Saturday morning we got up and ready for the game. We stayed in Tupelo, which is about an hour from Oxford (home of Ole Miss). We got dressed in our BYU gear and headed over. We had heard a lot about "The Grove" which is the home of the #1 college gameday tailgate. It was quite a sight. The college girls all wear nice dresses, and many college boys wear polos or even shirts and ties. The grove it filled with tents bearing the Ole Miss name and colors. Each tent is filled with Ole Miss camp chairs, tables of food, and even large flat screen tv's with portable Direct TV devices so they could watch other games on ESPN before their own game began.
We got to see the Ole Miss players walk through the grove to the stadium (the walk of champions). Some very nice fans invited us into their tent to eat with them, and told us some things we should see on campus. The fans were very nice, and sure know how to tailgate. While walking through the grove, we also saw one of our good friends, Robbie Bullough. He is on BYUtv's show "True Blue" as a reporter. It was great to see him and chat for a bit. We actually ended up sitting together in church this morning in Tupelo, MS as well. They have a cheer that is called the Hotty Toddy, that everyone knows and yells frequently. They start each game with a celebrity video asking the audience "Are you ready?" to which everyone answers with the Hotty Toddy cheer.
The game was rough first half, but the second half was great! There were a lot of BYU fans there so we tried to cheer loud for our cougars. At half time we were able to meet up with another good friend of ours, Garrett Tenney. He is also successful in broadcast journalism and was up in Oxford for the game. It was fun to hear about his life in the South. He invited us to join him and his brother on the field for a bit, which was awesome.
We were so happy that the Cougars pulled it out in a great 4th quarter. 1-0!!!!
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