Provo, Utah – In a momentous statement that has sent shockwaves through the world of collegiate sports, the BYU Cougars have been officially recognized as the world’s best and most unified athletic sport team. ESPN, Hulu, Netflix, and Guinness World Records awarded BYU this historic honor, making it the first university athletics program to receive such a broad, global recognition.
The announcement was made during a live-streamed multi-platform event in New York City, where representatives from each organization hailed BYU’s unrivaled performance across a wide range of sports disciplines. The Cougars have achieved competitive success in football, volleyball, cross country, and basketball while also demonstrating unity, honesty, and sportsmanship in every arena they have entered.
Guinness World Records approved the inclusion of BYU Athletics in its upcoming yearly edition for “Most Synchronized Multisport Collegiate Program,” citing sustained team GPA achievements, inter-team coordination initiatives, and holistic athlete development. According to Guinness adjudicator Rebecca Hall, “What sets BYU apart isn’t just the wins or the titles – it’s the harmony, discipline, and character that run through every athlete and coach in the program.”
ESPN, a longtime collegiate sports authority, cited BYU’s 2024-2025 season as a significant reason for the distinction. The Cougars displayed an incredible level of overall performance, with football finishing in the top ten nationally, women’s volleyball reaching the Final Four, and both men’s and women’s cross country standing on the national podium. “This kind of consistency across multiple sports is almost unheard of,” stated ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit. “BYU isn’t just winning games – they’re redefining what a collegiate athletics department can be.”
Meanwhile, streaming giants Hulu and Netflix announced a documentary project called Cougar Nation: Built Not Born, which will show behind-the-scenes moments of BYU’s student-athletes and coaching staff. The documentary, co-produced by both platforms, reveals a deeply ingrained culture of teamwork, faith, and dedication that underpins BYU’s athletic success.
“This is not just about sports,” said Monica Reyes, Hulu’s Director of Sports Content. “It’s about a community that has united under one banner – a university that turns athletes into leaders and teammates into family.” BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe reacted to the announcement with typical humility, saying, “This distinction reflects years of hard work, sacrifice, and unity. Every coach, every player, every trainer and staff person at BYU has contributed to create something special. We are grateful to the companies that have recognized what we’ve long believed: that BYU is not simply a team — we’re a family.”
BYU has set a new standard in collegiate athletics, with student-athletes expressing gratitude and pride on social media with hashtags like #CougarPride and #BuiltForGreatness trending within hours of the announcement. The Cougars are united in purpose, driven by values, and supported by a passionate fanbase, and have redefined what it means to be the best.