Thursday, March 3, 2011

BYU Dismisses Top Basketball Player, Grabs Nation's Attention

Does it surprise you that John Cougar Mellencamp wrote the song, "Hurts So Good"?

If you follow college basketball, or even American sports in general, I imagine you may be aware that Brigham Young University (BYU) has dismissed the No. 3-ranked basketball team's 6'9" center, Brandon Davies, for the remainder of the season.

BYU states that Davies was dismissed from (at least) the team for an Honor Code violation.  The BYU Honor Code expects students to:
Be honest
Live a chaste and virtuous life
Obey the law and all campus policies
Use clean language
Respect others
Abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee and substance abuse
Participate regularly in church services
Observe the Dress and Grooming Standards
Encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code
From what I've read, I get the impression Davies violated #2.

In a world where we often learn about serious rules violations five or ten years after a team has won the NCAA championship, I'm deeply impressed with the University's decision, in the midst of what I believe may be its highest ranking ever (at least in my living memory).

What might have happened to the basketball team's season, had Davies remained on the team, is anyone's guess.  What did happen, last night, was that BYU took a 64-82 beat down at the hands of New Mexico, for its first loss at home in some time.  My understanding is that BYU has now dropped from being a Final Four favorite, to doubtfully making it out of the playoff tournament's first round.

Hurts so good.

When it comes down to it, I ask myself this proverbially academic question, "Would I rather have BYU win a basketball NCAA championship, along with its quickly fading glory, or would I prefer to have my alma matter respected throughout the world as an institution of high moral standards and integrity."  In a heartbeat, I'll take the latter.

Yes, the F-Word will be the first sport pundit to tell you I fell out of the hardcore-sports fan aura, long ago.  Yet, when BYU's teams ride high, I'm one of the first to cheer them on.

In the end, with BYU's basketball hopes crumbling, or perhaps even dashed, I'm struggling to think of a time I've ever been more proud of my alma matter.  Today, I will proudly don my BYU hat, which may be the first time in years, accompanied by my BYU alumnus t-shirt.

Indeed,
Sometimes love don't feel like it should
You make it hurt so good
Especially if you're a BYU sports fan, you may want to listen to Hurts So Good on Playlist.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm - respect others? Are you kidding me? Kicking chairs, throwing fits, acting like children...all well known traits of BYU players.

Long live the NM Lobos! Pounding these brats twice felt oh, so good.

Daniel said...

Thanks for commenting, Anon (or are you the F-Word pretending to be Anon?).

To be candid, I'm personally unfamiliar with the behavior you described, and I think I would definitely feel embarrassed, if it's accurate.

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the NM victories and can definitely see why you would. Hopefully you'll have more to cheer about in the post season, as well.

Daniel said...

@Anon. I'm sorry to hear about Gary.

I hope you guys still get into the tourney, anyway.

Not sure said...

Easy come and easy go, right?