Provo, Utah – The President’s Fireside, hosted by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) on September 28th, showcased the organization's mission to support the success and future of its members. With a near-full house, the event demonstrated that growth and victory extend far beyond the playing field, and in turn emphasized the importance of faith, grit, and the power of turning to Jesus Christ during personal trials. This event featured speakers from the student-athlete body and university leadership, making powerful declarations that supported the SAAC’s vision: that trials are not roadblocks, but instead are opportunities to build character and spiritual resilience essential for achieving success in every area of life.
Athletes Share Stories of Overcoming
Halle Dixon, a member of the women’s soccer team, gave the opening talk of the fireside. She delivered an inspiring message on the importance of “enjoying the journey through trials”, sharing the story of her recovery and how she “wouldn’t be an athlete now without [Jesus Christ]”. After discovering a tumor on her spinal cord, Dixon shared how she underwent multiple surgeries and had to end her season early. Still, she mentioned the importance of that trial, stating, “It is through sorrow and suffering….that we gain our education.” She closed by saying that during the last game of her season, she had never played better, and when they ultimately won the game, she had “never felt closer to heaven”.
Keanu Tanuvasa, a member of the BYU Football team, followed. While Dixon talked about the physical trials she had faced, Tanuvasa focused on the mental challenges that he and other athletes often endure. “I am humbled by this university….witnessing not only how you are in your realm, but how you perform out of it,” he stated. He mentioned the difficulties of moving to BYU from a rival school, noting the hate that he received for his decision. Tanuvasa continued to say that while the mental trials that this caused impacted his relationship with testimony, what really hit him the most was how he became his own worst enemy. “Have you learned to sit at your table with your Judas?” he said. As he tried to follow that direction, he discovered that “the individual who had wronged me the most, the one who would demean me…it was none other than myself”. With the stress and difficulties that come with being a student-athlete, Tanuvasa closed by emphasizing that athletes not only have the blessing to play the sports that they love, but to also grow with Jesus Christ. “We have a role to be blessed in our hearts,” he shared, reminding every athlete that they are role models to the university, to others, and most importantly to themselves.
Sharing a beautiful message concerning her personal journey to baptism, Marya Hudgins from the women’s basketball team urged student-athletes to not miss opportunities, stating, “Don't waste your trials. Don't sit on the sidelines waiting.” Before tearing her meniscus, Hudgins believed that religion and God’s love weren’t things she deserved. She spoke frankly about how a year before her injury she had cried out to the Lord, and felt as if he wasn’t listening to her. Looking back on that moment after her injury, Hudgins stated, “My injuries, my doubts, my struggles—they weren’t proof that God wasn’t hearing me. It was proof that I needed him.” She
ended her testimony with the message that the Lord used her injury to guide her towards Him, and that every student-athlete should use the difficulties that they face to grow.
University Leadership Focuses on God at the Forefront
New Athletic Director Brian Santiago expressed his excitement and gratitude for the trust placed in him, sharing, "I have never been so excited in my life." Santiago shared his family's story of conversion and commitment to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He offered powerful advice to the athletes, stating, “Be on the Lord’s team. It is the winning team, and we win if we put God at the forefront of our lives.” Santiago explained that life is full of difficulties, echoing the messages that the previous student-athletes had given, and spoke about how he had to make a choice in coming to BYU. “It's not by chance that you’re here,” he said, closing with his testimony. “And it’s not by chance that we will change the world, little by little.”
BYU President Shane Reese closed the meeting by praising the students, calling them "extraordinary witnesses” for sharing their musical, spiritual, and physical talents. He highlighted the characteristic of grit—defined as "passion and persistence for the long term"—as a trait all truly extraordinary people share. He linked this persistence to faith, noting, "We know that there is something more." President Reese testified that by turning to Jesus Christ and looking for opportunities to serve others, student-athletes can manifest a miracle in their own lives.
Music and Testimony Fill the Air
The atmosphere was enhanced by musical performances, including a wonderful performance called “Gratitude” by BYU Football players Bear and Tiger Bachmeier. The musical number’s primary message was to “C’mon and Praise the Lord”, inviting all student-athletes to worship God. The musical performances continued throughout the meeting, including a moving piano and cello cover of "It is Well with My Soul” by Ammon Montenegro and Sadie Matheson, both members of the BYU Cheer team, and Women’s Cross Country runner Boston Bybee’s performance of the hymn "I Need Thee Every Hour”, played on the piano and accompanied by her brother Alex on violin. As Hailey Morrow, a member of the softball team and conductor of the fireside, aptly said, "There’s something so powerful about music and gathering our athletes together."
The President’s Fireside served as a powerful reminder for the student-athletes that their worth extends far beyond the field, court, or gym. Their worth is determined through the trials and difficulties that they face each day when they make the conscious effort to play their sports and overcome their struggles. As President Reese proclaimed, “Student-athletes truly are Extraordinary!”