“Rise and Shout”: A Brief History of BYU’s Fight Song

Provo, Utah has two annual parades. The first (and biggest) is on Independence Day — it attracts hundreds of thousands of patriotically dressed Utahns from across the state every year. The second parade takes place in early fall and attracts a much smaller crowd. Another obvious difference? There’s absolutely no red to be seen. Just blue and white. 

This is the BYU homecoming parade. Fans come for the free blue pancakes, then stay to sing the fight song as BYU’s marching band moves triumphantly around the perimeter of campus. 

Everyone knows the song. True BYU fans can’t avoid it — and why would they want to? Few things are as quintessentially Brigham Young University as Rise and shout, the Cougars are out — except maybe, a maple-glazed cougar tail donut and midnight hike up the “Y” trail. 

 

Origins of the BYU Fight Song 

The history of BYU’s fight song dates back to the early 20th century, a time when the university was growing in prominence both academically and athletically. The song, officially titled “The Cougar Song”, was penned in 1932 by Clyde D. Sandgren, who went on to graduate from BYU in 1937. Interestingly, the fight song wasn’t actually copyrighted or adopted by BYU until 1947, 14 years after its composition. 

In the years leading up to the fight song’s composition and later adoption, BYU was still solidifying its position as a prominent university within the state of Utah and the broader western United States. The institution had been founded in 1875 by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), and was still in the earlier stages of establishing its identity and student culture when Sandgren put pen to paper. 

Today, it’s safe to say that most students and alumni chanting the BYU fight song are probably unaware of the song’s origins — but they do know the words. These lyrics, though written in the spirited tone of a traditional fight song, carry significant weight beyond their call for athletic victory. They reflect the unique ethos of BYU, a university whose commitment to academic and athletic excellence is inextricable from its commitment to faith and character-building. 

It’s possible the BYU fight song wasn’t just created as a reflection of the university’s values, but also as a way to further solidify the school’s values, both on and off the football field or basketball court. And even if this wasn’t Sandgren’s stated intention, it’s certainly been one of the song’s effects. Take a closer look at BYU’s fight song, and you’ll see that unlike most fight songs — which focus on athletic achievement as the ultimate goal — BYU’s anthem is unique for integrating the university’s religious and academic ethos into its call for victory. The fight song’s lyrics emphasize the importance of honor, integrity, and character — principles that feature at the very core of the BYU experience to this day. 

The Fight Song as a Lasting Legacy — and a Feeling

More than a century after the “BYU Cougars Fight Song” was written, BYU has expanded its athletics programs beyond what Sandgren could have fathomed at the time he composed it (though Sandgren’s love for BYU did prove long lasting — following a successful law career, he later served as general counsel and vice president of BYU). But — just like the song suggests — everyone at BYU also knows that there is more to life than what happens on the football field. There’s a higher purpose at play for the majority of BYU fans and alumni, and this shared sense of purpose and identity fosters a remarkable sense of community and closeness. 

At the most basic level, BYU’s fight song is an evocation of a deep sense of shared identity, values, and history — its unmistakable melody isn’t so much about who wins and who loses. It’s symbolic of belonging to something bigger than yourself and choosing to live everyday in a way that honors what that means. 

Any BYU Cougar knows that the BYU fight song is a feeling. When they hear it, they’re immediately transported back to a specific time and place: the college campus, the stadium, spirited nights with people they love — all united by a rallying cry. Sights and smells of a university nestled in the mountains, familiar and nostalgic sounds echoing. The mountainside “Y” just off in the distance, another core reminder of how and why they bleed blue. 

Marching Into the Future 

With almost a century of history to its name, it’s clear “The Cougar Song” has stood the test of time. Its catchy melody and energetic lyrics have united students, alumni, and fans, creating a sense of pride and camaraderie that transcends decades. Despite changes in the university’s culture and athletic landscape, The Cougar Song remains a staple of BYU sports, proving that a great fight song isn’t just about music — it’s about the legacy and passion it continues to carry forward.