Kids fan clubs hope to hook 'em young

PROVO — Kids crazy for the Cougars?

Or maybe they're not yet, and dad or a rich uncle thinks it's high time for an intervention before the youngsters decide, egad, to root for the Utes.

Whether you need to scratch the blossoming Cougar itch in that true-BYU-blue boy or girl or if it's (not-so) subtle indoctrination you seek, Cosmo might have a way to help.

The Cougar mascot has teamed up with the campus television station to launch a new KBYU Cosmo Kids Club for children 12 and under.

A $35 membership includes vouchers for two tickets to a Brigham Young University football game — choose Air Force, Colorado State or Eastern Washington — and five tickets to men's basketball games.

Cosmo Kids also get a T-shirt, an e-newsletter, a monthly activity with Cosmo and free admission to all BYU volleyball, baseball, softball and women's basketball and soccer games.

A family membership for three or more brothers and sisters costs $90.

Live too far away to attend games? A $25 out-of-state membership comes with a T-shirt, poster, magnet, e-newsletter and a copy of the "Cosmo Reloaded" DVD due out in November.

Those who signed up for the club by Tuesday can pick up their membership packets today at the Deseret Morning News Cougartown Kickoff at Haws Field, west of the Indoor Practice Facility, from 6 to 8 p.m. All other packets will be sent by mail.

And if seeing the kids grow up partial to BYU sports isn't for you, there's always the Jr. Utes, the Jr. Aggies, the Jr. 'Cats or the Utah Valley State College Heroes Kids clubs.

Kids clubs can help an athletic department renew its fan base and even eventually help it recruit future athletes. BYU runs an annual women's football clinic for the same reasons.

At the University of Utah, a Jr. Utes membership costs $25 and comes with a cinch sack, a T-shirt, team schedule cards, magnets and posters, a 10 percent discount at the University Bookstore and free or discounted tickets to all home baseball, volleyball, soccer, gymnastics and women's basketball games.

Several U. teams will also hold special Jr. Utes Days before their seasons open.