Fans planning to attend a road football game this year are invited to participate in the BYU Alumni tailgate and team up on a service project that supports families and communities in each road-game city.
With the smell of football in the air and Kalani Sitake’s squad gearing up to open the season, a new slate of Cougs Care service tailgates is set to take place at road games across the country.
Organized by BYU Alumni and directed by local alumni chapters, Cougs Care invites fans to give back to the communities hosting each game through simple, high-impact service projects held at the pre-game tailgates.
Since its launch in 2019, Cougs Care has grown into a meaningful tradition. Last season alone, fans donated thousands of pounds of food, books, and school supplies that benefited communities in every city BYU football visited.
This year’s efforts will once again focus on literacy, hunger relief, and community support. Fans attending any BYU road game are encouraged to stop by the BYU Alumni pre-game tailgate to contribute to these worthwhile causes. Detailed information regarding each Cougs Care project is available below and on the BYU Alumni web page. (Please check back for updates as details become available).
Game: BYU @ East Carolina; Sept. 20, Game time 7:30 PM ET
Tailgate time: 4:30 to 6:30 PM ET
Location: 2296 Charles Blvd, Greenville, NC 27858
Fans heading to Greenville are encouraged to bring nonperishable food and hygiene items for the ECU Williams-Ross Purple Pantry, a resource that directly supports East Carolina University students facing food insecurity. Fans can donate at the tailgate or online through this Amazon Wish List.
Game: BYU @ Colorado; Sept. 27, 8:15 PM MDT
Tailgate time: 5-7 PM MDT
Location: Norlin Quad (1600 Pleasant St)
In Boulder, BYU fans will rally behind the Family Learning Center of Boulder, an early childhood education hub that supports low-income families. Fans can donate at the tailgate or online through this Amazon Wish List.
Game: BYU @ Arizona; Oct. 11, 5 PM MST
Tailgate time: 1:30-4 PM MST
Location: Jimenez Field, East Enke Drive, Tucson 85719
Dubbed “Operation Sunnyside Read and Feed,” the Tucson project invites fans to donate new or gently used children’s books and nonperishable food items for The Sunnyside Foundation, benefiting Sunnyside Elementary Schools and the Sunnyside Community Food Pantry.
Game: BYU @ Iowa State; Oct. 25, Game time 2:30 PM CT
Tailgate time: 11:30 AM CT
Location: Reiman Gardens, 1407 University Blvd., Ames, 50011
Tailgaters in Ames will honor pioneer legacy by helping today’s displaced families. Fans can donate via this Amazon Wishlist, or donate cash, new/gently used coats, shoes and blankets to help the Johnston Partnership—inspired by the legacy of Charles Good, who famously donated new boots to pioneer children crossing the plains in Iowa in 1856.
Game: BYU @ Texas Tech; Nov. 8, Game time 11 AM CT
Tailgate time: 8-10 AM CT
Location: McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center, 2521 17th Street, Lubbock, 79409
Tailgaters coming to Lubbock are gathering to support Literacy Lubbock, a non-profit focused on early childhood and family literacy, as well as adult education programs and ESL education. Fans can bring new or gently used books or donate cash to help support literacy.
Game: BYU @ Cincinnati; Nov. 22 Game time TBA
Tailgate time: TBA (begins 3 hours prior to kickoff)
Location: Schneider Quad, University of Cincinnati campus
Tailgaters in Cincinnati will have two opportunities to show support for the community. On November 11, a food truck from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Welfare and Self Reliance department will deliver a full load of food to the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Food Pantry. Fans can participate by helping unload the truck and stock shelves at the pantry with the delivered goods. A second project at the pre-game tailgate invites fans to donate coats or funds to purchases coats to support the Cincinnati NAACP coat drive to provide local elementary school children winter coats. Collection of coats will take place at the tailgate and other chapels in the area.
