PROVO UT - On the evening of September 17th, Brigham Young University student-athletes from every sport gathered for the annual United We Stand event—a celebration of community, connection, and Cougar pride. Hosted in the Miller-Park softball stadium, the event gave student-athletes a chance to take a break from their packed schedules and enjoy an evening of fun, food, and shared experiences.
“I wanted to send a message to Cougar Nation all over the world that we stand united at BYU with all of our teams with the mission of the school,” said Brian Santiago, BYU Director of Athletics. “I just felt like we could all come together, have a great night, have food and fun. But what I really want is for all of our student-athletes to have a connection. … You’ve got all the teams represented here, interacting in unique ways, playing games together, eating together. That’s part of the magic of being at BYU.”
With music filling the air and a warm September breeze, the space came alive with laughter, friendly competition, and plenty of smiles. From a massive inflatable obstacle course to classic lawn games, athletes had no shortage of ways to relax and bond outside of their sport-specific social circles.
The event was organized by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) with support from Santiago. SAAC handled planning, games, and logistics, while Santiago provided the vision and resources.
“Student-athletes have a lot of power when we do things together outside of our sport,” said Hailey Morrow, SAAC president and a member of the softball team. “United We Stand is about getting together, getting to know one another, and supporting each other down the road. Events like this help us form connections on every team, and give people opportunities to be excellent in everything we do—excellent in relationships, academics, and building a stronger community.”
“It was really nice to be together and meet new people from other sports,” said Miriam Traore, a women’s basketball player and international student from Mali. “It felt good to connect and just enjoy being around each other.”
Xavion Staton, men’s basketball player and SAAC member, added: “I love it. Seeing people you’re surrounded by for the rest of the year and your life, and being able to make friendships and real connections beyond the sport.”
For Teilon Tufuga, men’s volleyball player, the event highlighted camaraderie and opportunity. “The best thing to make your college experience worth it is to be out and about making connections. Utilize every opportunity to get to know people and build your network.”
As the sun set and the last ice cream cones were handed out, student-athletes left with full stomachs and fuller hearts—reminded that they’re never running alone. Events like United We Stand underscore what makes the BYU student-athlete experience unique: a commitment not just to excellence in sport, but to unity, joy, and shared purpose.