The opinions vary, the reasons are different, bias toward certain sports and age all play factors. The public has spoken and the 117 votes are in for the top five BYU athletes.
Coaches, media, students, long-time fans and athletic department representatives have all weighed in to compile their own version of BYU's top five athletes.
It's hard to narrow down five athletes over such a vast athletic history that compiles nearly 100 years. It's obvious the list will miss some of the great athletes and tend to over-represent the athletes of the past 25 years. However, the opinions expressed do represent a comprehensive group ranging from ages 15 to 75.
There is only one rule for the poll; the voter must base their vote on what the athlete has done at BYU. An athlete that has had major success in a professional sport should not receive votes based on his pro career. Let's get to the numbers.
No. 1: Danny Ainge -- The prolific athlete topped the list, receiving 23 percent of the votes. He is the only Cougar basketball player named as the national college basketball Player of the Year.
"He was consistent and could always pull off the big play," said Ralph Zobell, who has been involved in BYU Sports Information Department since 1977. "He was extremely hard to stop."
The six-time First Team All-American led BYU to its only Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA basketball tournament. He also holds nine Western Athletic conference records and 10 BYU records.
He's the only player in BYU history to get drafted and compete in two major professional sports and among an elite national class of two-sport professional athletes.
While a senior in high school, he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays and played professional baseball while still competing in basketball at BYU. When the Boston Celtics drafted Ainge in the second round of the NBA draft, they bought out his contract with the Blue Jays. Ainge then focused on basketball and won two NBA championships and was voted as an All-Star in 1988.
No. 2: Steve Young -- The future Super Bowl champion received 22 percent of the votes. The well-known quarterback started for two seasons. In 1983, he was the runner-up in the Heisman Trophy balloting and was named as a consensus All American.
"He was an amazing athlete and had the unique ability to run and pass," said Ralph Sokolowsky, a BYU statistician since 1982.
Young passed for 7,733 yards and rushed for 1,048 yards, including 18 rushing touchdowns and 56 throwing touchdowns.
He also set an NCAA record with a 71.3 completion percentage and ranks fourth in total offense in BYU history and second in quarterback rushing yards.
"The 1983 team was the best team in BYU history and Young was the leader of that team," Sokolowsky said.
A hefty compliment, considering a year later the 1984 Cougars had a perfect season en route to BYU's first national championship.
No. 3: Ty Detmer -- The Cougars' only Heisman Trophy winner in football history received a little over 20 percent of the votes. By the end of his college career, the 175-pound quarterback had broken more than 59 NCAA records. Detmer still holds nearly 30 of the records he set back in 1991.
While Detmer was at the helm, the Cougars knocked off the No. 1-ranked Miami Hurricanes 28-21 in what may be the biggest upset in BYU football history.
Detmer ranks No. 1 in BYU history in total passing yards, total offense, quarterback rating and career touchdowns.
"The numbers he put up were absolutely insane," said David Dibb, a BYU season ticket holder for 30 years. "Even though he didn't have a good NFL career, Detmer's college career was the best I've seen of any BYU quarterback."
He was drafted in 1992 by the Green Bay Packers and bounced around the NFL, never able to settle into a secure starting position.
No. 4: Jim Mcmahon -- The controversial BYU quarterback received about seven percent of the votes. He ranks second in total touchdowns, third in career passing yards, quarterback rating and total offense.
McMahon is best known for his heroics in the "Miracle Bowl." He led the Cougars in scoring 21 points in the last two minutes and 30 seconds of the game, including a Hail Mary completed to Clay Brown as time expired to lift the Cougars to a 46-45 victory.
"If I had a dream team for BYU football, there is no question I would choose McMahon for my starting quarter back," BYU Associate Athletic Director Duff Tittle said.
McMahon finished his college career with more than 70 NCAA records and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1982 with the fifth overall pick in the draft. At the fifth pick, he remains the highest drafted BYU football player. In 1985 McMahon added a Super Bowl to his already impressive resume.
McMahon may not have received as many votes because he never fit in with the standards at BYU and has openly criticized the school's strict Honor Code.
Maybe the most telling fact about the dubious quarterback is that BYU has never inducted him into its prestigious Hall of Fame.
No. 5: Kresimir Cosic -- The 6-foot-11 Yugoslavian center received a little over four percent of the votes. The fan favorite big man was named to five All-American teams and seven All-District teams.
He set BYU career records in points scored, field goals made, free throws made and rebounds.
After his collegiate career Cosic turned down a chance to play in the NBA and went back to Yugoslavia and played and coached on the Yugoslavian Olympic team.
"Had Cosic decided to go to the NBA, I think he would have been one of the great big men in the game," said John McKendrick, a BYU season ticket holder for over 35 years. "He was very agile for a big man and could shoot from outside and score inside."
He's only the third international player to ever be selected to the world's Basketball Hall of Fame.
During his stay at BYU, he was baptized into the LDS church by Hugh Nibley and later was instrumental in church development in his native Yugoslavia.
BYU Athletic Communications contributed to this article
