Honoring the "Honor Code"

My alma mater, Brigham Young University, raised eyebrows all around the nation last week by suspending one of its best players on the best basketball team it's had for a long, long time.  Brandon Davies, a 6' 9" starting center who is a Mormon, went to school officials and told them he had sexual relations with his girlfriend.  He expressed remorse, sorrow and regret.  As a result, BYU suspended him for the rest of the season.

Why?  In this day where a run deep in the NCAA Tournament means millions of dollars for a private school like BYU, why would the school seemingly stab itself in its "financial bottom line" and make such a move?  And why now?  Why not wait until a month from now when the NCAA Tournament is over?  Simply put, Davies violated BYU's Honor Code. 


Brigham Young University is owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which frowns on pre-marital relations.  All students who receive acceptance into the university agree to abide by the Honor Code.  (Click here to read it.)  Some people I know can't believe this is even a rule.  The Honor Code is no different now than it was for ESPN analyst and Super Bowl MVP Steve Young, former NBA champion and Boston Celtics great Danny Ainge, Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer who entered BYU as a Methodist, Super Bowl Champion quarterback Jim McMahon who was Catholic, or when I attended BYU back in the late 1980s.

The Honor Code is a matter of personal commitment and personal integrity.  To gain acceptance to BYU, you go through a series of interviews with Church leaders who spell out what the code entails.  If you decide to attend any of the BYU campuses, you agree to abide by the Honor Code.  As Young told Time Magazine, ""It's not like you find out later — 'Oh, you didn't tell me! I didn't know that!' But there's a spirit on campus that is just, 'O.K., fine, now let's now go have a good time." 


The Time Magazine report continues,"The willingness of BYU to police poor conduct is sharply at odds with other college programs. At Seton Hall University last season, for example, a basketball player who caused an accident while driving under the influence, causing an injury to the other driver, was suspended for only eight games. This year, a top player from Robert Morris University got a four-game penalty after a drunk-driving incident. In February, two players from Marshall University were charged with battery over a bar fight; they played in a game the next evening. Schools often let athletes off easy for on-field transgressions too. Two seasons ago, a University of Florida football player intentionally gouged an opponent's eyes. He was suspended for a half." 


You can add an additional high-profile incident at Ohio State last fall.  Star quarterback Terrelle Pryor and four teammates sold rings, jerseys and awards and received improper benefits from a tattoo parlor up to two years ago.  The NCAA ruled the actions amounted to a violation of its rules and issued a five-game suspension for each of the players, however the suspensions do not take effect until this fall.  As a result, Pryor and his teammates were allowed to play as Ohio State beat Arkansas 31-26 in the Sugar Bowl.


Senior Jimmer Fredette is the face of this year's sixth ranked Cougars.  While Fredette leads the nation in scoring and is the front-runner to win the John Wooden Award as college basketball's player of the year, Davis is (or should I say was) a key part of the squad.  Davis averaged 11 points and six rebounds a game as an inside presence.

Am I upset he got kicked off the team?  Yes.  Do I think this hurt BYU's chances to compete for a national championship?  You bet!  Am I mad at Davis?  Not really.  I feel for him.  I know how much this off-court action hurt him.  He knows he let himself down.  He knows he let his teammates down.  He knows he let BYU fans down.  The first game after his suspension, third-ranked BYU got blown out at home by unranked New Mexico.  Coach Dave Rose allowed Davies to sit on the bench and cheer on his teammates as they beat Wyoming to clinch the Mountain West Conference regular season championship.  He also allowed him to help cut down the nets.

"This could be a seminal moment in this young man's life," former BYU and Philadelphia Eagles kick returner Vai Sikahema told Time. "Better that it happens at 20, rather than 50, with four kids. He'll probably be a better man, and that's ultimately what BYU is about, building leaders, building men. If that means missing out a chance at the Final Four, well, that's what happens."

From everything I've seen and read, this is a good kid who just made a mistake.  I hope he learns from it, makes amends and finds his way back on the squad in the future.  As for my alma mater, I say thank you for not giving in to the "win at all costs" attitude and thank you for standing for something.