BYU Enters the Big 12 Athletic Conference!

We’ve been talking all year about Provo’s big economic wins and the resulting national attention as the Safest Big City, Nation’s Best Performing City, Best Place to Start a Business, and many more. The national spotlight will shine even brighter on Provo with Brigham Young University joining the Big 12 Athletic Conference.

As football legend and Colorado University football coach Deion Sanders predicts, joining the Big 12 is a “game changer”! Watch our video to learn how this transformative move will impact Provo and the innovative steps we’re taking to seize this exciting opportunity.

BYU’s Athletic Director, Tom Holmoe has been planning BYU’s Big 12 entrance for a decade, with a dedicated team working behind the scenes building those bridges for many years. Enjoy Tom sharing what this opportunity means for him personally and for the community.

Rise and Shout! Enjoy the excitement of BYU officially joining the Big 12 with this promotional video.

Let’s roll out the red carpet! With millions of eyes focused on Provo for these events, we will have a unique opportunity to share what sets our community apart—our many “Provo Advantages”.

We want all visitors to feel welcome and have an incredible experience here. BYU coaches Mark Pope and Kalani Sataki share the visiting guest attitude they expect.

BYU joining the Big 12 elevates Provo to a new level, not only in national recognition but also with the strong economic impact that accompanies it—that is definitely a Provo Advantage to cheer about. Go deeper into the community impacts with our white paper.

Download White Paper

Latest Progress on Our New Sports Park

I am excited to provide you with the latest update about the development of our soon-to-be iconic Regional Sports Park. Our vision of making Provo home to the second-largest planned sports complex in the nation is gradually taking form. You'll see the landscape change as sod is laid this spring and curbs are currently being constructed.

The latest and most exciting development? The inclusion of pickleball courts in our state-of-the-art facility, making us a beacon for this fastest-growing sport, both locally and nationwide. With $2.5 million of tourism grant support from our friends at Utah County, the goal of a regional Pickleball complex is in reach.

The existing $2.5 grant is contingent on an equal amount of private fundraising to activate this project. A private fundraising group, designated by the Provo Foundation, is looking for interested donors.

Working north to south on the overall regional sports park will result in 15 multipurpose fields available for play in Fall, 2024. Dates for Pickleball complex opening are dependent on successful community fundraising efforts—so calling on all Pickleball enthusiasts to spread the fundraising word!

This initiative, alongside the 21 multi-use fields and park amenities spread across 100 acres, will attract athletes and families from all corners of the country, further promoting our city on a national level. We do recognize the need for additional infrastructure, such as hotels and other support businesses, to fully cater to this influx of visitors and are working tirelessly to address this.

As a city that's home to 330 local teams who share just 11 existing fields, we were striving to meet our local sporting needs. This facility not only resolves that issue but also opens avenues for Provo to become a hub in the national youth sports and tournament industry, driving substantial economic benefits to our city.

The potential revenue from this sports complex is estimated to be an impressive $30-$40 million annually. However, we believe the ripple effects of this project, coupled with our new airport and additional support services, could amplify this even further.

The acquisition of 100 acres on our city's west side was made possible thanks to a federal grant and the staunch support of Utah County, pushing our vision closer to reality. This Regional Sports Park, a cornerstone of my "Big 6" visionary projects, stands as a testament to Provo's commitment to being welcoming, safe, economically vibrant, and forward-looking.

Sports tourism is a rapidly growing sector that's generating significant economic returns. By turning Provo into a coveted destination for sports tourists, we’re poised to benefit from this economic tide.

Take the example of St. George, a city that generates nearly $40 million in annual spending by hosting just six youth tournaments each year. We are confident that Provo can emulate and even surpass this success, boosting our local economy and enriching our recreational systems.

Thank you for joining me in this journey to elevate Provo. Your continued support fuels our endeavors to enhance our city's charm and appeal. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project!

The Miss Provo Competition is on the Horizon

The Miss Provo Competition is back, and it promises to be more extraordinary than ever before. Mark your calendars for September 16, 2023, when the Covey Arts Center will transform into a stage for a remarkable celebration of beauty, talent, and intellect. This competition is a splendid opportunity for young women in our community to demonstrate their strengths and talents.

Before we get to the main event, I want to emphasize an important meeting taking place tonight - the Mandatory Orientation Meeting. This meeting will start at 7:00 pm at the Freedom Festival Office, located at 4626 N 300 W, Suite 300 in Provo. Please ensure you attend this event to gather essential information and understand the rules, regulations, and expectations of the competition.

For all potential contestants, applications are due by the first workshop on August 1st. Make sure you do not miss this date! The application can be downloaded here:

MP 2023 Contestant Application

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Download PDF • 114KB

I also want to highlight the significant scholarship prizes that this competition brings along. The newly crowned Miss Provo will receive a $3,000 scholarship, while the 1st and 2nd Attendants will be awarded $1,500 and $1,000, respectively. This is an amazing opportunity for our contestants to help fund their education, and it underscores the value we place on the empowerment of women and the importance of education in our city.

The Miss Provo Competition is more than a competition; it's a platform for personal growth and development, as well as an opportunity to give back to the community in a meaningful way. I am proud to support and promote this event, and I am looking forward to seeing our community come together in support of these impressive women.

Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the big day. Meanwhile, let's gear up for tonight's Mandatory Orientation Meeting. See you there, Provo!