BYU Honor Code Add Comment    Mar 03, 2011

With Brandon Davies no out indefinitely from playing basketball at BYU, the reason for his dismissal now known, and the huge loss to New Mexico last night, it is time to look at what has caused all this commotion, the BYU Honor Code.  Here is what is says and also a link to the entire document:

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

http://saas.byu.edu/catalog/2010-2011ucat/GeneralInfo/HonorCode.php

So, what do you think?  Is this honor code a joke, ridiculous, really to difficult to live?  Regardless of any opinion, the honor code is alive and has proved to do it job.  When anyone attends BYU, they are required, not just once, but every year to sign and resign this honor code.  This is in no way a surprise to any player or student.  This is something that is presented to each recruit and each potential student before they even arrive at school.  You cannot attend class unless this code it signed.

So when we look at the code and try to answer the questions above, one needs to leave that alone and focus on the facts.  The fact that everyone promises, in writing, to live by this code.

I want to say that although I can see the hurt BYU is feeling due to this issue, I have to respect BYU for sticking to their rules and policies.  I have to applauded a school for living by its beliefs and rules in a day an age when honesty is out the window, not only for school and coaches, but even business professionals.  Thank you BYU for setting a strong and positive example for all people and sports.

Article written by

Jeremy Vick

Jeremy Vick

March 03, 2011 10:31am

Here is what a friend of mine wrote about this...

In a small Texas town in the spring of 1967 a young man was picked up by local police for intoxication. That young man was an incredible athlete with amazing talent in football and track and was supposed to compete in the state track meet just weeks later. Now high school athletics, as in most all small Texas towns, was a focal point of local enthusiasm. The success of the teams had a longstanding history. And, honor, integrity, and discipline were woven into the fabric of the athletics program in this school, the athletes themselves having defined their "honor code" by which they commonly decided to live. Some of those rules included no smoking, no drinking, no staying out late on pregame nights. The penalty for smoking and drinking was expulsion from athletics for the school year.

It was sadly the athletic director's job to inform this young man that he would not be able to attend the state track meet. A school board meeting was called to address this issue, the athletic director was asked to attend, and the decision was made to uphold the rules. The coach was sad but informed the young man he would not be representing the school and community. The following night another board meeting was held and the decision was reversed. The coach's heart, for the sake of the other young men who believed in their code, was broken.

Nationally 3rd-ranked BYU, making a hard run at the NCAA tournament, whose least depth happens to be behind the center, suspended for the season their starting center last night for honor code violations. Sometimes honor does come first.