b.y.u. thursday's hero

mel and george nominated grandpa hunter for the "b.y.u. thursday's hero".

mel had to send in some information about him, and within just a short time, she got an e-mail back stating that they had accepted him and would call to be honoring him some time during the football season. the next thing she knew, she had another e-mail, asking her to bring him over this past thursday. we made all of the arrangements to get him over there (not knowing for sure what was really going to happen). now if any of you know grandpa, you know what a crazy, b.y.u. fan he is, but you also know that right now, he isn't much for going anywhere out of his comfort zone. mel called and told him that she wanted to take him somewhere on thursday and asked him if that would be okay. he agreed, but had NO idea what was going on. we had lacey set out his b.y.u. sweatshirt (yes, we know that it's 97 degrees outside, but to grandpa, that's still too cold! ~ he also had his blanket over him the whole time) .

when we went to pick him up, mel finally told him what was going on ~ and

jan jorgensen with grandpa

because HE is our "hero", we wanted to share him with the b.y.u. football team. he had a grin on his face, that no one could have taken off even with a grinder. i have to say, that from the gentleman who greeted us at the first door, the secretaries, the guide who took us thru all of the football offices, to the coaches, and then to the players on the team, nothing but dignity and respect, was shown to all of us, especially to grandpa.

we watched the team finish up with their practice and then the team captains presented grandpa with a b.y.u. flag, that all of the players signed as they left practice, a couple of b.y.u. hats, a

defensive lineman Russell Tialavea presented grandpa with a bag of b.y.u. gifts,

signing the flag

jersey and a couple of b.y.u. tee shirts. they also had grandpa sign the big b.y.u. flag that they run around the stadium before every game. kendyl was going to sing the b.y.u. fight song to them, but when it came down to it, she clammed right up. coach mendenhall told her that all of them knew that song and that they probably could all help her sing it. so they all blurted out with the b.y.u. fight song. after that, we were free to visit with all of the coaches and players.

goooooooo cougars!!!!


coach mendenhall and grandpa

grandpa and max hall

all of the players were so cute with grandpa, and told him how much they appreciated him being such a loyal fan. they all made such an effort to make sure that they all went out of their way to talk to him and made him feel special. AND... then they beat oklahoma...
WAY TO GO COUGS!

grandpa with just a few of his greatest fans!

grandpa, you may have been b.y.u.'s thursday's hero, but to all of us...
you're a hero everyday! we love you!

thanks, mel and george, this is a day grandpa will never forget!
and... also a great big THANK YOU to ALL of the b.y.u. coaches, staff, and football team!
you were incredible! what more can i say?!