SALT LAKE CITY — At the Utah Capitol on Wednesday — as lawmakers settled in for another afternoon of debating bills — everyone was feeling a little blue.
BYU blue, that is.
The Brigham Young University football team and retiring athletic director Tom Holmoe came to the Capitol to be recognized for their outstanding season last year and — in Holmoe’s case — for his 20 years leading BYU sports.
The BYU football team and athletic director Tom Holmoe were honored by the Utah Legislature on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Greg Anderson, KSL TV)
Holmoe recently announced he will retire at the end of the 2024-2025 season. He has held the top administrative job in BYU sports since 2005.
“He’s lifted BYU athletics to a new height under his tenure, leaving an indelible mark and legacy,” said Rep. Jon Hawkins, R-Pleasant Grove, reading a special citation on the floor of the House of Representatives. “Under his leadership, BYU athletics has achieved historic milestones including, as we all know, joining and dominating the Big 12 conference.”
Tom Holmoe, BYU athletic director, listens as a special citation is read in the Utah House of Representatives on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Greg Anderson, KSL TV)
A special citation was also read in the House honoring the BYU football team, which soared to an 11-2 season last year and a win in the Alamo Bowl.
“Congratulations BYU team, Coach Sitake, director Holmoe, for making football great again here in Utah,” a smiling House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, said to laughs in the House. “Bleed blue!”
The team and Holmoe also visited the Utah Senate, where they were similarly honored.
BYU football coach Kalani Sitake, university president Shane Reese, quarterback Jake Retzlaff, kicker Will Ferrin, and Cosmo the Cougar were among those present for the honors at the Capitol.
BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe, university president Shane Reese, football coach Kalani Sitake, and others listen as the Utah Senate honors the football team on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Greg Anderson, KSL TV)
“I’m humbled by it, but really excited that our players get to see this and that we have a lot of fans up here, so that’s really cool,” Sitake told KSL TV. “But more importantly, I think this is a good opportunity for us to honor Tom Holmoe.”
“I’m super grateful, and I know the team is too,” Holmoe said of the honor. “It’s just a great day to be able to come up and feel the support of people that are sometimes Cougars — I mean, some of them are Utes, some of them are Cougars, some of them are Aggies, some of them are Wildcats, and other state schools — but they all come together just to celebrate something big for the state of Utah, and I really appreciate that.”
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox also spoke at an event Wednesday in the Capitol’s Gold Room honoring Holmoe. BYU brought chocolate milk and Cougar Tails — those famous 15-inch maple donuts — to celebrate.
This content is reposted from the source: https://ksltv.com/ksltvsports/legislature-honors-byu-football-retiring-athletic-director/744248/
