Why I'm Always Reppin

Happy Rep the Y Friday! Hope all of y'all are appropriately clad in navy or royal BYU Blue and revving up for the game tomorrow!
Speaking of reppin', I really love the 2016 and 2017 Game Day t-shirts. For those of you who haven't seen them, the 2016 ones say "Reppin the Y" and the newer ones say "Always Reppin".

When I was first introduced to the word "reppin" in 2016, the blonde part of me thought it was pronounced "Re-pin"... as in, like, a Relief Society Pinterest page gone rabid? I was really confused.
Eventually, after I figured out how to actually pronounce the word, the idea of Reppin' the Y grew on me. It's a catchy, simple phrase that effectively captures all the emotions that BYU fans feel during the heat of a game.
I've also thought about the phrase, "Always Reppin". The slogan implies that true fans don't have to be clad in BYU gear to represent their school; their very way of life is representation enough.
So, how can a Cougar be "Always Reppin?"
It's hard to give an answer to that question without thinking of examples of students and alumni who are always Reppin'. So, over the next little while, I'll use Rep the Y Friday as an opportunity to highlight people who have defined what Always Reppin means for a BYU Cougar.
In the meantime, dear BYU Cougars, don't just wear blue; bleed it.

Why I Love Football (now)

So BYU football season is practically upon us... and boy, am I excited! 

Before I explain why, I need to give you a vision of the kind of sports enthusiast before BYU. 

...the kind who says, oh, I played basketball once. It was nice. I think I shot a touchd- err, basket. 

Sports just wasn't my thing. I was terrible at pretty much every sport I tried, and frankly, I didn't enjoy competitive sports. I cared more about making sure everyone stayed happy than winning. Which is fine, unless you're supposed to be playing offense in basically any sport. 

I wasn't a big sports watcher either. I loved watching volleyball and went to many BYU and high school volleyball games, but other than that, sports never interested me. I got mildly into football my senior year, but I went mostly to support one of my best friends in marching band than to actually watch the players. I would literally bring homework or a book and sit alone on the top bleachers of the stadium until the marching band would perform at half-time.

And yet... college changed me (You're probably thinking that's clique. Thank you, I try)

I LOVE BYU SPORTS!!! 

My freshman year, I bought a ROC student card and went to almost every BYU football game. The scene was similar to my high school football years: I usually went by myself and brought homework; however, I took time to watch the players and the marching band. Somehow, along the way, BYU Football stole my heart. 

There's just something about the energy that pulses through LaVell Edwards stadium right before a game. Students, clad in identical royal blue "Always Reppin" t-shirts. Greasy, expensive popcorn, pizza, and Cougartails from concessions. The BYU marching band playing "Popcorn Popping" and The Imperial Death March and the Fight Song. Apostles in the crowd with cheering crowds in the audience. T-shirt guns. Mountain sunsets. Frozen fingers. Painted faces. Flipping Cougarettes. 

And the BYU football players, full of enough talent, determination, and heart and soul to fill a stadium. 

Sure, BYU doesn't always win, but football games are always a win for me. 

So please, go to at LEAST one BYU Football game during your time at BYU. You won't regret it, and your fellow BYU Cougs will be happy for the support. 

P.S.: Here was my first football game! It was an away game at University of Utah, so we watched the game in the lobby of the boy's dorm. I provided the Cheez-its and my friends provided the cheers.