When Bronco Mendenhall took over as BYU’s head coach in December 2004, one of his top priorities was to unify the program that had become divided under previous coach Gary Crowton.
One of Mendenhall’s team unity activities he introduced to the program was the Eco Warrior Challenge. The challenge was something that Mendenhall brought with him from New Mexico, and has become an annual tradition at BYU in the month of June since 2005. The challenge is now named the “Cougar Challenge”, and it took place today.
The challenge was for players, coaches, and members of the football staff. When Mendenhall first started this at BYU, it was open to the general public. With how social media is today, fans involved in this event now would have made for some good Twitter viewing. It’s probably best that it is limited to the team only, ad the season opener against UConn is only 10 weeks away from today.
The #CougarChallenge consisted of:
- 1 mile swim
- Running the stairs at LaVell Edwards Stadium
- Biking up Provo Canyon
- Hiking above Sundance Resort
Players and coaches were using #CougarChallenge all over social media today documenting the event. Here’s some of the best.
#CougarChallenge ARE YOU READY!!! pic.twitter.com/68gdYjIdLX
— coachkellypoppinga (@pinga4445) June 20, 2014
The hard part about the #CougarChallenge was gettin up at 4:45 in the mornin but now the fun part begins!!! Swim,run, bike,and hike let's GO
— jamaal williams (@jswaggdaddy) June 20, 2014
Locker room is lookin like a pool party that got crashed with a shipment of bicycles. #CougarChallenge pic.twitter.com/mtepDqqaV5
— Michael Alisa (@MichaelAlisa42) June 20, 2014
#CougarChallenge @KaiNacua_23 pic.twitter.com/l52JjluD4m
— Dallin Leavitt (@D_Lowe2) June 20, 2014
I got you bro… @jswaggdaddy #CougarChallenge pic.twitter.com/QJ3ykb4Qyx
— Michael Alisa (@MichaelAlisa42) June 20, 2014
Stadium… Check … on to the bike #CougarChallenge pic.twitter.com/UrQMvxMXtZ
— Brett Mortensen (@brett_mort) June 20, 2014
Geoff Martzen’s assistant chimed in on the #CougarChallenge festivities.
The #CougarChallenge started a few hours ago. I just woke up. Proud to be a part of a wedding this morning.
— Mike Poulson (@mpoulson62) June 20, 2014
Did the mile swim and ran the stadium in under an hour and 15 min. This #CougarChallenge is getting LIVE!
— Zach Nyborg (@znyborg) June 20, 2014
@TheRealist1ne killing the #CougarChallenge pic.twitter.com/QwIU5GvWGB
— Nick Howell (@CoachNickHowell) June 20, 2014
When a BYU coach tweets #badass, I sleep better at night. Hopefully this hashtag becomes BYU’s version of Texas A&M’s #YESSIR!
@Coach2J being himself on the #CougarChallenge #badass pic.twitter.com/LGPRbSzdE6
— Nick Howell (@CoachNickHowell) June 20, 2014
The real storyline from this event, Bronco’s shorts!
Mendenhall is about to tear up the track. #CougarChallenge pic.twitter.com/EUdpn0bXM8
— Ului Lapuaho (@ULapuaho) June 20, 2014
Mile swim stadium stairs & a 11 mile bike ride !! Now a 5 mile hike !! #CougarChallenge
— Dre Day (@Dre_M_Wes52) June 20, 2014
The hike begins!! #CougarChallenge pic.twitter.com/G3GlNjTOb7
— BYU Football (@BYUfootball) June 20, 2014
Finishers Wanted #CougarChallenge pic.twitter.com/zBvGo5O1ug
— coachkellypoppinga (@pinga4445) June 20, 2014
Rockin the Y on the way up to the top! #CougarChallenge pic.twitter.com/n0UaHvfvMd
— coachkellypoppinga (@pinga4445) June 20, 2014
This view is one of a kind tho #Cougarchallenge pic.twitter.com/CfvC8JwMfn
— Rob Daniel (@TheRealist1ne) June 20, 2014
Bronco makes up for those shorts by wearing the Kevin Sumlin shades. #YESSIR!
Team Atuaia, Edwards, and Mendenhall at the top of the mountain. We made it!! #CougarChallenge pic.twitter.com/UmhCgXFybO
— Matthew Edwards (@TheCoachEdwards) June 20, 2014
Real Talk: mad props and respect to those who completed the #CougarChallenge today. WE ARE BYU and I'm damn proud of that!!! 2014 let's go!
— Mark Atuaia (@CoachAtuaia) June 20, 2014
The first team of players to complete the challenge was defensive back Skye PoVey, linebacker Bronson Kaufusi, and running back Paul Lasike.
Your 2014 Cougar Challenge first place team. We swam a mile, ran the football stadium stairs, biked… http://t.co/2jF7KaACoj
— Skye PoVey (@PoVey_7) June 20, 2014
Instagram: povey7
