OK, I have to confess. If I'm driving around and BYU has a home football game and my husband isn't in the car, I tune in to see how many minutes are left in the game. I have to know how much time is left to run errands before traffic is going to be horrific. Oh, and I sort of like knowing if we are winning. It's not that I don't like football but I'd really rather fold laundry than attend a football game.

That said, I attended the BYU women's football clinic a week ago and was pleasantly surprised to find that football is actually kind of fun. After evaluating all the components of the clinic - dinner, a T-shirt, a Q & A with the players and Bronco Mendenhall, touring the press boxes and the locker room, running drills on the field and getting a bag of freebies - I'd have to say that the overwhelming enticement of football is energy. The enthusiasm of the coach down to the youngest true blue fan is contagious. And even if you don't understand all the technical gibberish of the game, you can enjoy it because of the energy.

Two of my friends attended the event last year so when it rolled around this year I decided to go see what all the hubbub was about. Hundreds of giddy women entered the hallowed gates of LaVell Edwards Stadium to be greeted by huge sub sandwiches and BYU mint brownies. My friend Tamela and I wondered why we received white T-shirts when Bronco wants a sea of blue in the stands, but wearing white actually worked well for getting autographs. The funny part was we didn't know who we were having sign our shirts. One handsome young man busily autographing the backs of half a dozen women was asked by my friend Justine, "Now, who are you?" He replied, "I'm Max Hall," but even I knew it was Harvey Unga.

Having a question and answer period was humorous, like being at a clean standup comedian hour. Some of the questions were rather trivial, like "How come you guys are so hot?" Come on ladies. But Bronco was eloquent when explaining the "Quest for Perfection," indicating it's not about the team record, it's about who you are trying to be and giving your personal best. He said some colleges look at prospects and consider height, weight and speed. I'm sure those factors are discussed at BYU but Bronco mentioned three more important things to consider: honesty, character and motivation. No wonder women want their little boys to emulate this guy and his team.

The drills on the field were hilarious to watch, let alone be a part of. When we tried to hit the big heavy thingy with cushions on it (otherwise known as the blocking sled) we could barely budge it. The water stations were there for thirst; my friend Callie and I used them for a water fight.

I think my favorite part of the evening didn't involve a handsome Cougar football player, or shy yet charismatic Bronco, the teamwork on the field or even the bag of free stuff any male BYU die-hard fan would drool over. It was a sign on the door of the locker room leading to the field. It states simply, "Return with Honor," indicating that whatever the outcome of the game, Bronco's team will win.

Kaye Nelson is not the sports editor at The Daily Universe. She kind of likes football but she likes chocolate even more.

Copyright Brigham Young University 8 Aug 2008