Sidelines
Rivalry’s in the eyes
of the beholder
"I don't think they have probably the feelings we have about the game ..."-- June Jones
DEAR sports columnist:
>> "After reading your article, I had to respond. As a BYU fan, I obviously am biased toward the Cougs and probably a bit protective, but ... Reno Mahe's right -- there is no rivalry. BYU has dominated UH for so many years -- so we throw you a bone once a decade -- big deal.
"Hawaii DOES have a good team, possibly a great team. Just don't play the part of the jilted girlfriend claiming we were made for one another when it's all really just a one-night stand."
>> "Using your logic, just about everyone in the entire Mountain West Conference, and some of the teams in the WAC, would be a 'rival' to BYU. Hawaii has history with BYU, but probably not any more than Colorado State or Air Force do at this point, and we don't consider them to be rivals, either."
>> "I loved your article. I think you got it right. A win is a win, but this one wasn't satisfying enough until the postgame comments. When the BYU players treated it like any other game, it became much more satisfying. Too bad there is only room for one rival. We have had some great games.
"P.S. -- This e-mail is an example of why Hawaii isn't our RIVAL. I would never say anything this nice to a University of Utah sportswriter."
>> "Maybe I can help you understand the game from a Cougar perspective. Have you ever seen a baby haul off and hit a man holding it square in the nose? It hurts like crazy -- might even make his eyes water a bit -- but it hardly creates deep hatred and 'rivalry.' You see, rivals have to actually keep you from reaching your goals. The Heisman was already won. The bowls and conference championships were already decided. Most people didn't even get to see the score in their morning paper!"
>> "Dude, in the dictionary under the word 'redundant' is a copy of this article. SAY IT ONCE, MAN!"
>> "I enjoyed your article talking about the UH-BYU rivalry. As you know, there has always been a rivalry with UH-BYU, and it does make for some great football games. My thanks to UH for giving BYU a great game last week."
>> "Reno actually called the Warriors 'some really cool guys.' He mentioned how they helped BYU guys up and patted them on the rear end when they made good plays. That's not what RIVALS do! The Utes push BYU guys back down when they're trying to get up! They chant 'BYU sucks!' in the stands while they're playing games against Indiana, Arizona and Michigan!"
>> "I lived in Hawaii for 20 years and watched every BYU-Hawaii game during those years. I was so upset with the way BYU played last year and the way Hawaii humiliated them. I wanted payback this year. I wanted to see BYU score 72 points and rub it in UH's face. However, we were lucky to even win!"
>> "Actually, I read Reno's quote in a local paper. I too thought it was a backhanded slap in the face. As a Cougar fan I've grown quite fond of the BYU-UH rivalry. At least that's what I thought it was!"
>> "Great article on BYU-Hawaii rivalry. As a 30-year BYU fan I have followed my beloved Cougars through many a great game. Hawaii games were some of the best. Win or lose, the games were usually intense, very competitive and always entertaining. I think this last game showcased what college athletics is supposed to be about. Hawaii is a class act. They held nothing back and left everything on the field. How can you hate a team like that? Hawaii has earned the respect of Cougarland as a dangerous adversary."
>> "What you fail to realize is that BYU has not only dominated Hawaii, but also all the other schools in the MWC and the original WAC, in football for so long that all the original schools from those conferences build up for and hype their game against BYU as if it were a bowl game. (Hawaii is) just another team within that group. It is an extra special event to you, but routine to us."
>> "I consider UH a fabulous rival. They will write their own story under Coach Jones. They won't need BYU to do it."
>> "Loved your article on BYU payback. However, as a BYU alum, I miss the regular games with Hawaii. I'll never forget that it was a Hawaii player that dropped a pass in the end zone near the end of the game with BYU in 1984 that would have defeated the Cougars and ended their chance for a national championship. There have been a lot of great games with Hawaii. I think you got it right at the end of the article, there is a rivalry (maybe not as intense as with Utah, but maybe more fun). Hope the Warriors (I liked Rainbow Warriors better) have a good season."
>> "I can assure you that Hawaii certainly has BYU's attention and there will always be plenty of emotion for the game. No BYU fan will ever forget the blowout game. I was at the game last week and I fantasized for months about a blowout BYU victory to avenge the humiliation from last year. However, as passionate as I was about this game, it still did not compare to the absolute frenzy last fall when Utah came to town for the annual rivalry game. The fans went nuts the entire 60 minutes for that game. There is simply nothing like it."
Kalani Simpson can be reached at ksimpson@starbulletin.com