The Divine Dramedy of Brian Davies

Dear readers, thanks for making time for me today.

I hope you don’t mind me hiding under the covers of this newspaper — it’s been some time since my last confession, and after comparing my life to the Honor Code described in this column, I’m afraid I sin like a champion.

The Salt Lake Tribune reported last Wednesday that BYU center Brian Davies had been dismissed from the team after he admitted to having violated the BYU “Honor Code.”

I won’t get into the details of his transgression — nor should you — but will instead give my best Joseph Smith impersonation and try to explain how we arrived at this point.

BYU is a private university located in Utah and owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It is America’s largest religious university; approximately 98 percent of the more than 34,000 students that attend BYU adhere to the faith of the LDS Church (colloquially known as the “Mormon Church”).

All BYU students, regardless of religious backgrounds, are required to follow the Honor Code, which mandates that they lead a chaste and honorable life, observe dress and grooming standards, participate in church services, avoid the use of profane language and abstain from alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and substance abuse — among other tenets that aim to keep students away from bad sects.

BYU Basketball
Coach Dave Rose spoke on the code recently, saying that “(Everyone) who comes to BYU — every student, if they’re an athlete or not — makes a commitment when they come. A lot of people try to judge if this is right or wrong, but it’s a commitment they make.”

The Honor Code dates back to the 1940s, when it was used to discipline students guilty of academic dishonesty. The code was expanded to encompass the rules it covers today in 1957, and though it has been a topic of discussion in the past, Davies’ dismissal from the team at this point in the college basketball season has thrust it back into the spotlight.

That spotlight is already bright this season as the Cougars boast a top-10 ranking and Jimmer Fredette, the nation’s most sensational player. The subtraction of Davies — who averaged 11.1 PPG and led the team in rebounding with 6.2 a contest — was initially looked upon as huge blow to BYU’s chances at landing a No. 1 seed in this month’s NCAA Tournament.

The impact of his absence was felt much sooner, however, as the Cougars responded to their teammate’s dismissal with an 82-64 home loss to New Mexico the same day Davies’ decision was announced. Though they bounced back with a blowout win over Wyoming to close out their regular season Saturday, the loss of Davies will make advancement in the NCAA Tournament more difficult.

Now, I’d like to echo Coach Rose’s sentiments on players choosing to make a commitment to the code — it’s as valid of a point that you’ll find in this story.

Further, I do not question BYU — a private institution — on its authority to uphold its standards, strict as they may be.  

However, the religion major inside of me is perplexed at how the University allowed this young man’s dirty laundry, pun painfully intended, to be aired to the rest of America. Is this not entirely contradictory to the Mormon faith where personal problems can be discussed and resolved with the help of a bishop much like one might discuss his or her transgressions in confession?

One would be naive to believe that BYU would trust the Associated Press not to dig up why the starting center for the nation’s hottest team was dismissed in early March. The University knew its reputation was on the line and made sure to publicly wash its hands of one of its own instead of merely suspending him for a “violation of team rules” and handling the situation in house after the season concludes and the hype surrounding the program dies down.

Brigham Young University is practicing conspicuous religiosity — and not in the way a bearded Orthodox Jew dressed in a hat and heavy black clothing walking down the street minding his own damn business is practicing it. BYU is sending a very public message to universities everywhere: “We’re not like the others. We stand by our principles — the scarlet letter men stand alone.”

Author Aldous Huxley once wrote, “The martyrs go hand in hand into the arena; they are crucified alone.”

Sorry, Brian Davies — I know you aren’t the only one guilty of breaking the code, but you happened to be the golden calf BYU used to remind the country just how special they are.

Oh, to be the chosen one.