Family Of Major Brent Taylor Raising Money For BYU, Utah Ahead Of Rivalry Game

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Whether you bleed red or blue, there’s one family that loves the Utes and the Cougars equally – and they are hoping to raise money during rivalry week to help students at both schools for years to come.

Major Brent Taylor was killed in action last November while serving in Afghanistan. The former mayor of North Ogden, his wife Jennie and their seven children have a history when it comes to the biggest rivals in Utah.

“This is when she’s 10 days old. That was her first BYU football game,” Jennie said as she showed photos of her family at BYU and Utah games. “This little BY-Ute was a baby at the time. He never knew we were first BYU. He only ever knew BY-Ute!”

Brent Taylor earned his bachelor’s degree at BYU and his master’s degree at Utah. Jennie accepted his doctorate degree from the University of Utah just this year.

“To think that as I walked across the stage, this is a moment he can’t be here, but I can,” Jennie said. “I can be us for a minute and I can represent him. It was a really neat day to stand in as they honored him for the degree he was really close to finishing.”

A scholarship in Brent’s name is now poised to help students at both universities.

“We’ve got students right now at BYU or Utah who will be our senators, they will be our congressmen, they will be our CEOs and maybe our president someday,” Jennie said. “We thought if we can tie that into this legacy Brent has left, help them with finances of their schooling but also focus on this great heritage of service-oriented leadership, it’s a great thing for our family to know that Brent’s legacy lives on.”

The Taylors are trying to raise $160,000, an amount that will fund three scholarships for years to come; a bachelor’s degree at BYU a master’s and doctorate degree at the University of Utah. So far they’re about halfway there.

“If we could find a thousand Utes and a thousand Cougars to each give 10 dollars, that would be $10,000 towards each school,” Jennie said.

No matter who wins on Thursday, the Taylors hope a little friendly competition will help them reach their goal.

“It’s pretty neck and neck. I think BYU is a little bit ahead,” Jennie said. “Utes, we need you, where are you?! And Cougars, come on, don’t let me down!”

If you’d like to give to the scholarship fund – there are several ways you can do that. You can go to any Zions Bank, donate directly to either school in the scholarship’s name, or go to majorbrenttaylor.com.