Why as a BYU fan I’m rooting for Mark Pope, Collin Chandler, and Kentucky in the Sweet 16

When it comes to BYU’s ties with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, certain things hold more weight than basketball.

Born and raised in Utah but having lived in the Appalachian region for over 20 years, I’m cheering for Mark Pope and Collin Chandler to thrive with the Kentucky Wildcats in this year’s Sweet 16 and for years ahead.

As a middle-aged, lifelong BYU supporter, I’ve realized that some things matter more to me than recruiting, the transfer portal, or conference rivalries. I want Pope and Chandler to succeed at Kentucky because of the positive impact they can have as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a state dominated by the Bible Belt.

Both are members of the Church, with Chandler returning last year from a two-year mission in Sierra Leone. Pope left his position as BYU’s head coach last April to join Kentucky, prompting Chandler to decommit from BYU and follow Pope to Kentucky. In a state where fewer than 1% of residents are Latter-day Saints, their visibility and platform are vital.

Few things unite people from diverse backgrounds faster than supporting the same sports team. This is especially true in college sports, where passion runs deep and often spans generations.

The BYU community recently saw the benefits of uniting athletes of various faiths at a school where nearly 98% of students are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The most religiously diverse group at BYU is likely student-athletes.

In 2023, the BYU men’s basketball team, led by Pope at the time, made headlines when three Muslim players fasted during Ramadan while competing in the Big 12 tournament. Aly Khalifa, Atiki Ally Atiki, and Fousseyni Traore introduced the BYU community to Ramadan and helped foster understanding with Latter-day Saints, who also practice fasting, albeit on a different schedule.

Traore, a Mali native and senior, is a fan favorite who will be remembered by BYU fans for his contributions to the team’s successful transition into the Big 12 and this year’s Sweet 16 run. Fousseyni is sure to be treated well in Provo for years to come. Reflecting on his experience as a religious minority at BYU, Fousseyni said, “[Being a Muslim at BYU] is actually super cool. Everyone respects our beliefs.”

On the football field, BYU’s starting quarterback, Jake Retzlaff, is one of the country’s most well-known Jewish athletes. In a time when many campuses have been grappling with antisemitism, Retzlaff told the Jewish Herald-Voice, “I’ve never been so welcomed by a place that at first you may think could be so different.”

Retzlaff’s recent NIL deal with Manischewitz Latkes has helped the BYU community gain a better understanding of Jewish traditions, such as keeping kosher and observing Passover.

Through BYU sports, Muslims, Jews, and Latter-day Saints have come together, bound by a shared love for the game.

It’s this kind of positive connection through sports that I hope Pope and Chandler can build among Kentucky’s passionate fanbase. In a state where fewer than 1 in 100 residents share their faith, they may become two of the most prominent Latter-day Saints in some Kentucky fans’ lives.

This may seem surprising, but Latter-day Saint representation in Kentucky is similar to the presence of Muslims and Jews at BYU, both groups making up less than 1% of the student body.

While I’ll always be loyal to BYU, the broader goals of the church that supports the school lead me to also cheer for Pope and Chandler.

Go Cougs!

…and go Cats!