From Deseret News archives:
Cosmo lends paw to Cougartown makeover
Though many honked their horns, the accompanying hand gestures all were friendly.
Cosmo, the Brigham Young University mascot, lent a paw to Provo's Cougartown makeover Wednesday afternoon, assisting city workers in the painting of a "Y" in the center of the intersection at University Avenue and Center Street.
Cosmo waved to onlookers and motorists, joked around with Mayor Lewis K. Billings and even did a little work. The mascot seized the workers' paint-spraying wand and filled in a stencil to create the 10-by-14 1/2-foot white "Y." The city crew added a blue border and later, without Cosmo's assistance, painted the logo on five other intersections along University Avenue: 300 South, 500 North, 800 North, Bulldog Boulevard and University Parkway.
The new-look University Avenue is part of the Cougartown project, a collaborative effort between the university, Provo city and local businesses to generate community support for BYU athletics.
"It will be fun for people who love the Cougars to drive University Avenue and see these big block 'Y's," Mayor Billings said.
The city will be reimbursed for the cost of the intersection painting estimated at $3,000 by Corporate Alliance, the Provo-based business networking company that is spearheading the Cougartown project.
"(Corporate Alliance) basically wants to expand on the spirit we have in Provo for BYU, and the city wants to be completely supportive of that," Billings said.
On Sept. 1, the mayor read a proclamation declaring that Provo will become Cougartown every Saturday BYU plays at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
On those days, Provo's borders are dissolved, the mayor said, and every BYU fan around the world becomes a resident of Cougartown.
Flags will be put up along University Avenue today as Provo prepares to transform into Cougartown for BYU's Homecoming game Saturday against Colorado State.
"I think it's good for community spirit," said Dita Dekeyser, who watched as the "Y" was painted at Center Street. "I think we need to build on that."
"I think it's a great idea," fellow Cougar fan Maren Chipman said of the painted logos. "It gets people more excited, gets them thinking about the football team."
E-mail: jpage@desnews.com
Comments
- Can 65 be considered young now? 12:14 p.m.
- Marriage: having each other's back 12:13 p.m.
- Presidential libraries open history 12:04 p.m.
- Know any RMs playing in the FBS? 11:52 a.m.
- Dead Poets Society founder on tour 11:51 a.m.
- Considering adoption? 11:49 a.m.
- Social events become solitary 11:43 a.m.
- USA Today poll 11:33 a.m.
- US says sanctions possible for Iran 11:13 a.m.
- TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd 11:12 a.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
359 - BYU happy to escape with victory
210 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - TCU creams U.
177 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
130 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - RSL heads to MLS title game
94
If you are looking for a bird on the cheap, the following specials from...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
I'm curious -- when did you go to law school? What is your legal expertise?
How many faithful Catholics and orthadox Jews lean left politically? How much...
That was insane! What a proud moment for RSL fans and Utah sports fans....
"I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt...
@Ridiculous, if you had read the article to the end, you would have seen that...
As a BYU fan I have to say the BYU loss was worse than the Utah loss. I...
RSL!!!!! RSL!!! seattle here we come, now lets beat the GALS!!! and bring...
Bah-bye! Don't let the door hit yah. It's time to clean house... and...
I don't know why we keep trying to "protect" or promote what Jefferson and...
like to mix religions and politics so much that they try and mold things to...

You can be the first to comment on this story.