BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall, his wife, Holly, and members of the BYU football team will participate in an hour-long devotional prior to eight football games this season. In addition, the team will participate in a service project in the community the evening prior to four games in 2012.
Referred to as "firesides", the devotionals will be conducted the evening prior to all road games as well as home games against Hawai'i and Oregon State.
With both players and coaches involved, speakers at the firesides talk about the meaning of discipleship, and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Special musical numbers are performed by players as well. Messages will focus on how we should seek to follow the Savior's example in all aspects of our life, and as we do so, we can come to a clear understanding of our purpose here on earth.
"The firesides have been a way for us to make a very clear statement of what our priorities are, or should be," Mendenhall says. "Football is simply the vehicle we use to help others come to a knowledge of what really brings joy and happiness to our lives. These firesides are a way for all of us to help consider our priorities through understanding the purpose of life."
The BYU football team has been holding regular firesides throughout the football season since the Cougars' trip to New Mexico during the 2005 season.
Following is a list of fireside dates and the locations for each fireside during the 2012 season. The team will also conduct local service projects prior to home games against Washington State, Weber State, Utah State and Idaho. All firesides are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. local time.
2012 Fireside Schedule
Friday, Sept. 14 (Utah)
Assembly Hall
Temple Square, Downtown
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Wednesday, Sept. 19 (Boise State)
Meridian East Stake Center
11443 McMillan Road
Boise, ID 83713
Thursday, Sept. 27 (Hawai'i)
Provo Wasatch Stake Center
1625 South Slate Canyon Drive
Provo, UT 84601
Friday, Oct. 12 (Oregon State)
Spanish Fork Stake Center
1006 East 200 South
Spanish Fork, UT 84660
Friday, Oct. 19 (Notre Dame)
Michigan City Branch Building
402 East Coolspring Avenue
Michigan City, IN 46360
Friday, Oct. 26 (Georgia Tech)
Brockett Ward Building
1974 Brockett Road
Tucker, GA 30084
Friday, Nov. 16 (San Jose State)
San Jose South Stake Center
5700 Comanche Drive
San Jose, CA 95123
Friday, Nov. 23 (New Mexico State)
El Paso Stake Center
1212 Sumac Drive
El Paso, TX 79925
Wednesday, Dec. 19 (San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl)
San Diego North Stake Center
4741 Mt Abernathy Ave
San Diego, CA 92117