Utah Man Anthem: The Business-Smart Fix for BYU Game Chants

When Gordon Monson floated a simple antidote to the anti-Latter-day Saint chants that occasionally mar BYU football games, he may have stumbled onto more than a sportsmanship tip. His suggestion — that the answer comes from a Utah Man, literally the University of Utah's fight song — reframes a recurring cultural flashpoint as a manageable, even profitable, problem. In the business of college athletics, where every viral clip shapes donor sentiment and season-ticket renewals, a cheap, cheerful counter-melody beats an expensive PR crisis every time.

The economics of rivalry are delicate. Both BYU and Utah depend on a passionate, paying fan base that shows up year after year, and the Holy War rivalry is a guaranteed sellout that drives concession, merchandise, and broadcast value. A hostile chant, however small, risks alienating families and alumni who view the game as a community event rather than a battleground. Monson's instinct — drown out the jeer with a beloved, unifying tune — treats the problem as a sound-engineering issue, not a moral crusade. That is a pragmatic, cost-effective approach any athletic department's marketing team can appreciate.

Turning Noise Into a Brand Asset

There is a deeper business logic here. A coordinated response, led by the student section, transforms a moment of tension into a display of institutional identity. The Utah Man anthem is instantly recognizable, upbeat, and steeped in tradition — qualities that make it ideal for social-media clips that boost engagement without triggering the algorithm's outrage bias. For BYU, adopting a neighbor's song as a peacekeeping tool also signals maturity to sponsors and conference partners who value stability over spectacle.

None of this requires new spending, new staff, or new policy. It requires only a nudge from leadership and a willing student body. In an era when athletic departments chase six-figure branding campaigns, the most elegant solution may be a hundred-year-old fight song and a bit of good humor. Monson's column, then, is not just commentary — it is a case study in turning a reputational liability into a low-cost, high-return asset.