We talk all the time about Wyoming Pride.  

It's special, one of a kind.  There are so many reasons for its uniqueness.  Few universities enjoy anything quite like it. 

I love talking about it with colleagues at other institutions.  They can't match it.  They wish they could.

Just when I marvel at how deep it runs, the Arizona Bowl being the latest demonstration of it, it runs deeper.

This would have been my 54th consecutive year of involvement with Wyoming football.  Like everyone else I was extremely disappointed that it was snatched from us.

Our student-athletes were more than disappointed. They were devastated.

It's hard to accept that we will be without fall sports.  Seasons would be starting next week, and that makes the realization even tougher to take.  There won't be an opportunity to wear those colors, gather and show the Wyoming Pride we cherish so.

Wyoming fans, however, have still found a way to demonstrate that Pride.

They have responded not only by donating their season tickets back to the program, but by getting behind a fund-raising initiative we are calling WHYoming NOW.

As of this writing, the Athletics Ticket Office has experienced an incredible demonstration of Wyoming Pride.  Season ticket holders have options regarding what to do with the money they paid for their seats. They can receive a credit refund toward next football season (or any other ticketed sport), donate the money to the student-athletes, or ask for a refund.  As of Thursday morning, Wyoming fans have donated a total of $132,000 back to the student-athletes!

The pride runs deep.

The WHYoming NOW campaign is another way of showing that Pride. 

This is a plan by the Athletics Department to offset a portion of the huge financial void that will be faced without fall sports. Athletics Director Tom Burman estimates that his department will face a deficit in the neighborhood of $15 million.  Obviously that kind of a hit could impact UW athletics for years to come.

"We are facing tremendous challenges," Burman says.  "In many ways the future of collegiate athletics hangs in the balance.  We are at a crossroads, and we are trying to preserve Wyoming athletics for our grandchildren, and their grandchildren. All of us will have to attack these challenges in different ways.  With so many uncertainties, one thing is certain at Wyoming, our fans will do what they can to help.  Already the outpouring has been amazing.  Wyoming truly cares about these student-athletes and how they are doing.  None of us are surprised though.  That's what Wyoming does."

The lifeblood of every athletics department is football season ticket revenue. Athletics departments everywhere count on it. Wyoming is no exception.  Without it, there is a huge gap in the budget.  

What Wyoming fans are doing right now is true philanthropy.  They are helping because they want to help these young people.  WHYoming NOW offers no better parking, no special Tailgate privileges.   It is giving sacrificially and that feels good.  

Sadly nobody knows how bad things will get.  Nobody's ever been through this, it is uncharted territory. All we know is that it will be a huge challenge to offer the same level of services to our student-athletes and fans that we have been able to provide in the past.  

We are well aware that this is a tough time for EVERYONE, not just athletics.  Many are struggling to make ends meet.

But if you are able to get involved, our student-athletes would very much appreciate it. You may go online to the UW athletics website at gowyo.com and visit WHYoming NOW.

Contributions will be utilized directly for the Cowboys and Cowgirls.  Your help will go to their academic, mental health and nutritional needs.  It will allow them to continue to train at a high level for when competition begins again.  

The donations are 100 percent tax deductible, and all contributors will receive three Cowboy Joe Club priority points per $100 donated.  That is triple the normal reward.

Maybe most importantly, each contribution will be matched by the State of Wyoming.

I think about football game day. I think about Tailgate Park, the Cowboy Walk, Western Thunder playing Cowboy Joe, and the Pokes taking the field.  We're going to miss all of that. While it has been taken away for now, it will be back.  Question is, will it be back like we remember it.  We've got to insure that it will.

Our student-athletes need us more than ever right now.  I know Wyoming will be there for them, it always is.