'I didn't think it was possible'

As previously reported, I had the chance to have dinner at Legends Grille with BYU players Mitch Payne, David Nixon, Matt Bauman and Harvey Unga. The dinner was an early birthday surprise for my friend and fellow Cougar fan Troy Nield of Twin Falls, whose wife set up the event. The whole experience was a blast.

We ate, we visited, we laughed, we got a few autographs. And as the evening was winding down, Troy told me, "I didn't think it was possible to make me an even bigger fan. But this did it."

Why? Because BYU's players aren't just great athletes, they're great people. And great company. While Payne and Nixon came solo, Bauman brought his wife and Unga brought his fiancee. They were all gracious, cordial and very open with this room of 25 strangers.

Bronco Mendenhall says he loves walk-ons for their character and heart. Turns out his scholarship players possess the same. And that's the biggest reason BYU is 22-4 over the past two seasons and poised for a run at a BCS game. It's also one of the big reasons I am proud to be a BYU fan and a BYU alum. With players like Nixon, Bauman, Unga and Payne, the program is in good hands.

And like Troy, this week's dining experience left me a bigger fan than ever before.

Photo caption: Pictured, from left, Mitch Payne, David Nixon, birthday boy Troy Nield, Matt Bauman, Harvey Unga and me, Mike C., pose after dinner at Legends Grille.