Karl G. Maeser, the founder of what is today Brigham Young University, memorably taught his students concerning honor. "I have been asked what I mean by word of honor. I will tell you. Place me behind prison walls — walls of stone ever so high, ever so thick, reaching ever so far into the ground — there is a possibility that in some way or another I may be able to escape; but stand me on the floor and draw a chalk line around me and have me give my word of honor never to cross it. Can I get out of that circle? No, never! I'd die first."
BYU has been in the news a lot this year for things of honor. A young man was suspended from the basketball team at a time that was critical to that team. Many were surprised to see a program be so honorable. Some openly wondered why he couldn't be disciplined after the MWC tournament and the NCAA tournament rather than right before. He was a critical player as the first string center.
BYU however honored the agreement the young man had signed to be a student and since he is a young man on the front lines, so to speak, as the university interacts with the world he ended up with his picture and even speculations about his reason for suspension all over the news and throughout the electronic world.
Equally honorable by the University has been their including him on the bench of the team and allowing him to cheer on his teammates. The first game following his suspension he was not there but thereafter he has been there encouraging his teammates dressed in shirt and tie.
Michael Otterson, who heads the public affairs department for the LDS Church (which also sponsors BYU) wrote: "BYU isn't going to throw this young man aside. Ultimately, the honor code is as much about the individual as the team or the school. Brandon Davies is more than a trending topic on Google. He is a young man full of energy, talent and opportunity, all of which remain present as he moves through what is undoubtedly a difficult time in his life. While this one mistake may redirect his life for a time, it does not define who he is. Those who care for him, including his church leaders, are reaching out to help, guide and support. Friends, family and true fans likewise. There are a lot of people at BYU who will do all they can to help Brandon get through this trial in his life and come out on top. He isn't just an athlete, but a child of God. No one knows yet how that will happen, but I do know that they will do everything they can to make it work and help him put all this behind him."
BYU not only honors the code but honors the students by encouraging and helping them to grow and live by the standard that they have agreed on. So while accountability and consequences exist when the honor code is broken, love and compassion encourage repentance and growth with a return to the honor code.
BYU has also played honorably in the NCAA tournament. This time meaning they have played well and advanced in the tournament to the "sweet 16" for the first time in 30 years. As one sports writer has commented about their success saying, "BYU had more Jimmer and more glimmer, particularly in the second half, to shoot Gonzaga out of the gymmer." That of course uses the new word Jimmer which is in addition to being BYU's star player has now come to mean more glitz, or athletic play. Gonzaga was the team they beat to get into the sweet 16 and will likely be their main rival next year as they move into the WCC conference for basketball.
Good job by BYU in not only their play but also in their honorable standing for what is right.
Additionally if you are interested in a video about Jimmer look at the following videos. The first is the original and the second the focus is on the song, the shirt and the singers rather than Jimmer Fredette. Enjoy!
that is a really cool quote from the article on davies - i think it's so awesome that he's been at the games and still is a part of the team since he helped get them there. i like the feeling of compassion and love that the author of the article conveys - that's what the Atonement is all about :) how cool is it not only to see a school with an honor code that is enforced, but a school that still loves the sinner who may have infringed upon that code? there are so many people and institutions who don't practice what they preach, and, though i wouldn't expect any less, i think it is refreshing to see our church's school reflecting the teachings of the gospel that are taught within :) go BYU!!!
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