Honor Code

BYU’s basketball team is ranked third in the nation. They were on track to become a number one seed in the NCAA tournament. But unfortunately, one of their students who happens to be a star player on the basketball team was suspended for the rest of the season because of an honor code violation. As result, the basketball team lost to an unranked New Mexico team on Wednesday. I personally think it had more to do with the mental stress of losing their friend/teammate and all of the national attention that has been brought to the team because of the mistake of one young man.

I am purposely not mentioning the young man’s name. Because I think his name has been dragged through the mud enough. But I applaud him for owning up to his mistake and admitting to his wrongdoing. From what I’ve read, he seems remorseful, and will hopefully be able to get through this hard time and go through the necessary steps to stay at BYU and be on the basketball team again next year.

BYU did not disclose what this young man’s honor code violation was. But of course, certain “sources” disclosed to the media, specifically the Salt Lake Tribune, what the specifics were and it’s been dragged through the media circuit.

I understand people’s curiosity. And the fact that most people in this country see nothing wrong with what this young man did to violate the honor code. For this young man’s sake, I wish the details of his transgression had not been disclosed. I’m sure he’s suffering enough without having the national media jump all over this story.

I do find it refreshing that most of the news articles I have read have applauded BYU for sticking to their values, even though it will likely cost the university a lot of money.

Even though most of the people writing the articles are not LDS, and would personally not abide by BYU’s honor code, most agree that BYU is correct in treating this athlete as they would any other student who violates the honor code.

I did not attend BYU. But I am a Mormon. And I fully understand the honor code that every student must sign at the beginning of each year of their schooling at BYU. Everybody makes mistakes and unfortunately for this young man on the basketball team, this particular mistake couldn’t have occurred at a worse time. Not only for the school, and the basketball team, but for him.

For every choice there is a consequence. Our choices not only affect us, but many people. In this case, it has drawn national attention. BYU will most likely not fare as well in the NCAA tournament as they would have before the honor code violation suspension. Not because they lost a star player but because of the media circus and mental distraction to the remaining players on the BYU basketball team.

But, in the end, basketball is just a game. BYU’s integrity and consistency in upholding the honor code is more important than money or the fame and glory of doing well in a basketball tournament. Although it may appear that BYU is treating this young man unfairly, he knew what was expected of him when he signed the honor code to attend BYU. And it would be detrimental to him, if he did not have to pay the consequence of his mistake. Hopefully he will learn from this experience and become a better person.

That’s my two cents.