KEY TAKEAWAYS
-College sports apps are evolving into year-round fan hubs—blending schedules, content, and community into a single owned experience
-Automated, personalized video inside the app helps BYU bypass social algorithms and deliver real-time highlights straight to fans
-BYU’s mobile-first strategy shows how fan data can power smarter content, better sponsorships, and stronger fan relationships
In college athletics, tradition runs deep. But even legacy programs know that to win the next generation of fans, the game plan has to evolve. Today’s fans expect personalized content, real-time updates, and seamless digital experiences in the palm of their hand. Waiting around to catch highlights on TV, or digging through clunky websites for gameday info simply isn’t in their character—that’s why BYU decided to build their own app.
To break down how they did it, WSC Sports joined forces with WMT Digital and BYU for a webinar focused on the power of mobile app strategy in college sports. The conversation revealed how a strategic, mobile-first approach—fueled by automation, personalization, and smart partnerships—is transforming how athletic departments connect with their fans.
Here are four winning strategies from the conversation.
Redefining the App as a Year-Round Engagement Hub
At BYU, the marketing team behind Cougar athletics made a decision to create a mobile app that would become the crown jewel of Cougar fandom.
The BYUCougars app is the go-to location for traditional information like schedules and scores, but also boasts social-style content feeds, and news articles wrapped in a design young fans know and love from social media, complete with tappable ‘stories’ and swipeable ‘reels’. “We wanted it to feel familiar, something fans would naturally want to open, use, and engage with—like they do with their favorite social platforms.”
The results speak volumes:
-37% growth in users
-35% increase in engagement
-41% growth in time spent in-app
It’s a reminder that fans will show up digitally—if you give them a reason to.
Watch the full webinar:
Using Automation to Scale Personalized Video Content
Social media is noisy. Algorithms shift daily. And fans miss out on content, even when they want to see it.
That’s why BYU turned to WSC Sports to integrate AI-powered video highlights directly into their app. Fans now get personalized highlight reels, player moments, and game recaps—all in real time, and all within BYU’s own ecosystem.
No scroll required. No social gatekeepers. Just content that matters, delivered fast and friction-free.
It’s a solution that scales—allowing BYU’s content team to create more, publish faster, and focus on what really moves the needle.
Turning Fan Data into Actionable Strategy
Behind every tap, scroll, and view in the BYU app is a story—and the team is listening.
By tracking how fans engage across web, app, and email, BYU and WMT Digital are uncovering patterns in behavior, preferences, and content consumption. That insight fuels everything from editorial planning to sponsorship strategy.
Knowing your fans isn’t just about sending them the right content—it’s about building a digital profile that can power tailored offers, brand partnerships, and more meaningful moments.
As Hutchins put it, “We’re not just collecting data. We’re using it to create better experiences.”
Why BYU Built Its Own Channel—and Why You Should Too
When it comes to communicating with fans, relying on social media alone is a gamble. BYU’s approach? Build something you own—and control.
The app has become a direct-to-fan channel, where updates reach the audience instantly and reliably. Whether it’s a push notification on game day or a video drop hours after the final whistle, BYU doesn’t need to fight the algorithm.
More control means more consistency. And that consistency builds trust, loyalty, and long-term digital engagement.
A Blueprint for the Future of College Sports
BYU’s success isn’t just about one app. It’s about a shift in mindset—from treating mobile as a utility to using it as a strategic lever for growth. With WMT’s infrastructure and WSC Sports’ automation, BYU created a system that’s scalable, sustainable, and fan-first.
For athletic departments still figuring out their digital strategy, the takeaway is simple: don’t wait. The opportunity is there—if you’re ready to reimagine the role your app can play.