University of Utah, BYU launch 'Rival Right' initiative promoting good sportsmanship

SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah and Brigham Young University share one of the most electric rivalries in college sports, with both universities boasting rich traditions and many notable games between the two.

Of course, a monumental rivalry is sure to generate an abundance of passion from the teams' respective fanbases and now the universities are partnering together to harness that passion for something good, launching the Rival Right initiative a week before the two teams face off on the gridiron.

"We are all passionate fans," U. President Taylor Randall said in a statement. "Our rivalry is one of the great traditions in college sports and it's built on mutual respect and a shared love of the game. I encourage fans of both teams to cheer passionately, support your team and show the nation what true sportsmanship looks like."

The initiative encourages fans to have good sportsmanship by being respectful and competitive while keeping trash talk lighthearted, without being rude, toxic or making things personal. On a larger scale, though, the initiative challenges BYU and U. fans to contribute to a nearly monthlong Tackling Hunger Together food drive kicking off on Saturday and ending on Nov. 27.

Nonperishable food items will be collected at Smith's grocery store locations in Salt Lake City and Provo from Nov. 2 to Nov. 9. Children can take pictures with the U. mascot, Swoop, at the Delta Center, where financial donations will be accepted. Fans of both schools can use Venmo or other cash apps at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Nov. 9 to donate to the Utah Food Bank. Throughout the month, students will also go to neighborhoods close to the universities, asking neighbors to leave bags of food to be collected the next day.

"No one can escape this rivalry in the valley," said Kris Bosman, chief alumni relations officer at the U. She is one of the university representatives for the drive. "We're hoping to show that you can have a little healthy competition and still do something for the community ... and it can be fun."

This is not the first year of the food drive rivalry in the valley. Nearly 30 years ago both campuses held separate food drives to support the people in need in their communities. Not long into the drive's life, students began to unofficially compete with each other. In true red-blue rivalry fashion, students and staff saw this as another aspect of the rivalry, as one more way to "Beat BYU" or "Beat the Utes."

An official BYU-Utah battle of nonperishable food items later formed, and went away for a short while until, as was described by students at BYU and the U, "the rivalry came back for real." The pandemic in 2020 and 2021 forced the competition to move to the back of everyone's minds, but now in 2024, students, faculty and staff members are ready to give back and compete.

"Hunger doesn't recognize a color, it doesn't recognize an age, it doesn't recognize the season or a location," said Ginette Bott, president and CEO of the Utah Food Bank. "What we need to do is collective, collaborative, it's through partnership, it's through caring, it's through dedication and it's through giving ... to those less fortunate. Giving to those who are struggling right now."

Collected items will go to the Utah Food Bank and the Feed U Pantry, a food pantry for students, faculty and staff on the University of Utah campus. Items and cash donations will also stay in Provo, heading specifically to the Community Action Services and Food Bank. Everything will be needed, as the number across Utah of those living with food insecurity — children and adults unsure of where their next meal will come from — continues to grow, according to Feeding America.

Food drives will be held in many communities across Utah beginning in November. They are typically traditions for groups, churches and classrooms, said staff at local food pantries. But the creative ones — such as a four-week-long competition between two rival schools 50 miles apart who do not expect a prize for their efforts except, of course, for all to know that one side beat the other — are always welcome.

"Community food drives are important for us and the people we serve," said Heidi Cannella, the communications director for the Utah Food Bank. "We all want to do what we can for the community and if it's healthy competition that can get us to give to others ... that's great."

Fans can donate nonperishable food donations at 10 Smith's locations throughout Salt Lake County and Utah County.

The Salt Lake County locations include:

• 922 E. 2100 South, Salt Lake City
• 455 E. 500 South, Salt Lake City
• 402 6th Ave., Salt Lake City
• 876 E. 800 South, Salt Lake City
• 3215 S. Valley St., Salt Lake City

While the Utah County locations include:

• 1550 E. 3500 North, Lehi
• 210 E. 700 South, Pleasant Grove
• 45 S. State, Orem
• 350 N. Freedom Blvd., Provo
• 1117 W. 400 South, Springville

Additionally, monetary donations can be given online at utahfoodbank.org or communityactionprovo.org.

"I bleed blue, no doubt," BYU President Shane Reese said in a statement. "But as we cheer for the Cougars, we must understand what it means to be a good fan — showing respect and courtesy for our opponents, especially our friends at the University of Utah."

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