It’s football season, and packing the bags to support your team on the road has become quite popular over the years, and is certainly something practiced heartily by fans of BYU, Utah, Utah State and Weber State.

The opportunity to spend some time on the road with friends and family to support your favorite team can be an ideal way to spend the weekend, and while it’s not all about just attending the game, it’s always always the centerpiece. Take Braden and his two old high school buddies, all of whom live in Utah County and recently boarded a plane to fly out and watch the BYU football team take on TCU in Fort Worth, Texas.

“We try and go on the road to see at least one game together every year that we can,” Braden said. “It’s a lot of fun and BYU usually does well when we go to games, so we’re sort of superstitious in that way. Of course it doesn’t always work out, like the Big 12 Championship Game last year — that was brutal, but we like to think we’re good luck charms.”

Indeed fans flying out to watch BYU get pummeled 34-7 by Texas Tech during last December’s Big 12 Championship Game may have regretted the trip if the trip only involved football. But for most friends and family, attending the game is only a part of fun.

Brandon Gurney, Daily Herald

One of many examples is Quinn Merrill and his family, all of whom used BYU’s game versus TCU to conduct what could be termed a mini family reunion of sorts. Quinn with his wife and two sons made the drive up from San Antonio to Fort Worth to meet up with his parents and his brother’s family who flew in from Idaho.

“Oh, it’s great. Staying in a hotel is a lot of fun for the kids,” Quinn said. “They get to swim in the pool, we get to eat some great food and just get together and enjoy being together for an entire weekend. Whenever BYU plays close to home we try and do it, and this year with BYU playing TCU was a great opportunity to do it.”

A lot of programs are well aware of the visiting fans and set up activities for alumni and other fans to enjoy much more than just the football game. For BYU, it puts on what it terms a ‘fan fest’ for most games, and for the football team’s recent matchup versus TCU, an entire park was rented out in nearby Carrollton, Texas to give fans opportunities to pose for pictures with BYU’s famous mascot Cosmo, practice some moves with the Cougar cheerleaders while enjoying some good food among other activities.

And some fans take it to another level entirely.

Driving to BYU’s game at TCU clear from Fort Smith, Arkansas, David Hurst and his family not only made the long five hour drive, but made sure to pack their elaborate homemade BYU costumes inspired by the Star Wars series Mandalorian.

Brandon Gurney, Daily Herald

“Any BYU game within a seven hour drive, and we’ll be there,” David said. “We made up these costumes because we’re huge fans of both BYU and Star Wars, so it works well. I’ve always been a huge BYU, and so has my wife, and now we’ve passed that on to our sons. It’s a great family activity, and like I said, if BYU is playing within a seven hour drive, or so, then we’re there. We love it.”

Fortunately for David and his family, and every other Cougar fan that made the trip, BYU was able to eek out a 17-10 win versus the Horned Frogs while Cougar players made the rounds around Ammon G. Carter Stadium after to sign autographs and take selfies.

“Attending home games is great, but attending games on the road  just makes you feel closer to the team and the players,” Braden said. “That’s one of the best thing about these road trips, along with everything else.”

So if you’re a fan of BYU, Utah, Utah State or Weber State, go ahead, make plans and pack your bags if you have the opportunity to attend an away game. Chances are you won’t regret it.