E Sports connection
The crack of a baseball hitting maple wood; the roar of the crowd after a touchdown; the skrrt of Jordans pounding a basketball court. These noises hold so much meaning for so many. They evoke the grit of endless training, the adrenaline of a desperate play, and the thrill of a close win.
What doesn’t come to mind, though, is the Harman Building. It’s a building known for its sleek architecture, life-changing events, and academic focus, not for alley-oops or field goals. However, the connection between sports and lifelong learning is stronger than meets the eye. If camps, online classes, events, and more are the sports teams, then BYU Continuing Education is the conference, tying it all together. Think Big 12. Let’s take a look!
History
Sports and lifelong learning have been intertwined from the beginning. Initially, sports camps—like the 1985 Girls’ Gymnastics Camp and the 1995 Boys’ Basketball Camp—were offered through BYU Continuing Education. Learning isn’t limited to the cerebral, and for decades, athletic achievement has been a priority alongside classroom-based studies.
Additionally, in 1976, the BYU Continuing Education-sponsored Department of Outdoor Experience and Resources began. It was initially composed of a few noncredit outdoor youth programs, but expanded into a full-fledged academic department, even offering a major in religious education. This program was bolstered by the purchase of the Outdoor Learning Center, a 160-acre expanse in the Teton Basin, and contributed to the growth of physical activity-based studies in the larger BYU community.
Today
Online Courses
Today, BYU Continuing Education keeps pushing lifelong learning through the athletic realm. This is most notable in Independent Study middle and high school courses. Students who want to get active can learn a variety of sports through well-crafted online courses that guide their own independent physical activity.
Tennis—the forehand, backhand, serve, etc.—is one option. Enjoy running? Enroll in aerobics! Watch the Tour de France? Check out cycling. From golf to swimming to weight training, the possibilities don’t stop. These online courses meld the physical and mental benefits of sports with BYU Continuing Education’s vision of enlightenment, growth, and opportunity.
CE Sponsoring Events
Recently, BYU Continuing Education has had the privilege of diving into the world of BYU athletics. For semesters now, BYU Continuing Education t-shirts and banner ads have been peppering sporting events, and the partnership grows ever stronger by the day. “It’s all about awareness,” says Jeff Peery, Strategic Marketing Account Manager. “It’s about sharing lifelong learning with the world.”
In the past months, BYU Continuing Education has been sponsoring BYU baseball and softball games. First pitches have been thrown by Dean Richard Houseman, Erin Measom, and others. BYU Continuing Education-themed swag bags have been handed out to young fans in attendance, and Youth Programs, the Salt Lake Center, and Independent Study are all slated to sponsor their own softball games. The ballpark partnership has been a home run, raising awareness about the power of lifelong learning.
The partnership goes beyond America’s favorite pastime. Throughout the 2024-2025 football seasons, BYU Continuing Education's presence was distinctly felt. Student employees and full-timers alike made a BYU Continuing Education booth possible, which became a staple of Cougar Canyon for the season. At the first game alone, thousands of pieces of BYU Continuing Education merchandise were given out. Raffle participants could win a gift basket with a BYU Continuing Education pickleball paddle, and the winner of Cosmo’s Challenge was even gifted a Kalani Sitake-signed football at each game.
Attendees heard the familiar voice of Greg Wrubell announce the “BYU Salt Lake Center Kickoff”. BYU Online High School promotions lit up the ribbon boards. On the air, the season’s radio broadcasts featured a series of ads highlighting different programs. The atmosphere was electric; everywhere you looked, you saw and heard the sights and sounds of lifelong learning.
However, while this last season may have been a striking success, it’s nothing compared to what’s to come. We’d tell you to keep an eye out for Continuing Education content this upcoming season, but chances are, you won’t need to; it’ll be everywhere you look.
“Whether it's on the court or in the classroom, everyone wants to win,” says Peery. “With BYU Continuing Education, every student can. Through these partnerships, we’re spreading the news.”
