Well, I think the wounds have finally healed from the BYU loss to Florida. I guess we should be surprised that the team took Florida to OT even in the team’s worst game of the year. I think it shows how good the team really was. I haven’t had that much fun watching basketball since the ’97 NBA finals. The hardest part of it all was that I was prepared to sacrifice attending Priesthood session and instead support the bball team (in front of the TV). If BYU sports is a missionary tool of the church, I need to be able to discuss the games with co-workers and acquaintances. Also, General Conference = every six months. BYU Final Four = once in a lifetime. Alas, it was not to be.
Am I being overly sensitive when people say Jackson Emery is “deceptively” quick or when Fredette isn’t very athletic? Can we just say that Emery is flat-out quick and/or that Fredette has a nice vertical and can get any shot he wants, thereby making him athletic. (see Sports Illustrated Cover)?!? What is deceptive supposed to mean? It’s not like the dude doesn’t lead BYU and MWC in steals. If either were non-white, would “deceptive” even be used? Yeah, I’m probably being too sensitive about it.
A couple of “soapbox-type” thoughts on the honor code: The BYU/HC situation made me go back in time a little. My experience with the code (and BU Police, for that matter) my freshman year probably hinders my ability to discuss their role in an unbiased manner. Lest I give any of you the impression of grievous wrongdoings, it was merely an unfortunate peer-pressure situation involving the roof of the Cannon Center and someone's lame date idea. Joseph Smith probably sums it up best in his own history (JSH 1:28).
From what I’ve heard and read, Davies was/is still attending classes. This is similar to my experience as a bishopric member in a BYU ward. I just don’t understand how you can be suspended from the team but not classes. Regardless, I think the university got the publicity it wanted, for better or worse.
On a separate note, I read an article (in Dialogue, I believe) summarizing the evolution of the Honor Code. Apparently the facial hair ban came about due to War protestors/communist sympathizers who sported long, scraggly hair. I thought this was interesting. Not sure how that equates with today? Can you not be presentable with facial hair or well-kept hair?
A quick story if I may: During my second year at the Budget Office I grew a nice beard of sorts. It was well kept and very clean. I even received a few compliments on it. One day I decided to shave everything but the hair above the lips. That’s right, I had a mustache. Obviously it paled in comparison to the mustache mastery of Uncles Mark, Floyd and Boyd, but who's does, right? For a couple of days, I sported the mustache – both because I wanted to and because I could. It wasn’t until a couple of days later that my direct supervisor brought me into her office and asked/told me to shave it off because it was distracting. Not sure why mustaches are allowed at BYU but no goatee, decent sideburns or well-kept beard.
I think I’m going to hang up the high-tops. About a month ago I was dragged into a church basketball game. I couldn’t remember the last time I shot a basketball. Long story short, I busted up my elbow pretty bad and played about 15 minutes total. When I was in the game, a couple of ball hogs, who I had never seen before, monopolized the offense. Besides the slammed elbow and sore hip, it was simply a waste of time – an hour and a half to play 12 to 15 minutes just isn’t worth it. I still don’t mind juking Nick out of his shorts or skying over Clint for the easy lay-in, or giving Trevor an “Everlasting Face”, but I think competitive team-basketball is out.
Because I didn’t have classes, I took off Spring Break for the first time ever. It was great. I was trying to remember why BYU didn’t have Spring Break and I vaguely recall the reason having something to do with graduates getting an early start on the job hunt. This may be true but probably not. I can tell you that in all of the hiring we’ve done in the Budget Office no one cares about a week difference. As a company, you hire when you need to – not on a schedule of a school. It’s not like a company has 5 applicants and gives a job over someone not as qualified just because you’re graduating a week later than the other guy. It’s just funny to me now. It’s probably to indirectly control student behavior, i.e. keep students out of trouble. Lame.
Congrats to Mom for March madness victory. Can’t wait to see what picture you choose. If you need ideas, I have plenty of you in spandex, a few in running races, and a couple of trampoline shots. Actually, the last two involve spandex as well so you might not have a choice.
