BYU Keeps It Black and White

Written rules are as black and white as the ink and paper they are transcribed upon.  For those who police the directives, being human can allow shades of gray to cloud their interpretations and selfishly alter punishments.  BYU announced that Brandon Davies was dismissed from the school’s basketball team for violating the honor code of the University.  The school is now conducting an honor code review to determine if the sophomore forward will be permitted to remain enrolled in classes as well as his future with the basketball team.  The University’s honor code requires students to live a chaste and virtuous life, be honest, abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee and substance abuse, and attend church regularly.  Upon learning of Davies’ violation, the school immediately removed him from team functions and started its investigation.  Despite the school being ranked #3 in the most current college basketball polls, BYU handled the situation swiftly and, as it constitutes in the student handbook, justly.

A sophomore forward, Brandon Davies was a vital contributor to BYU’s success, as it tries to make a run at the NCAA Title.  Davies has started 26 of 29 games and averaged 11.1 points and a team-leading 6.2 rebounds.  He was a low post presence, ran the floor well, and was often given the assignment of containing opponents in the paint.  This is seen as a tremendous loss for the Cougars, who are 27-2 overall, 13-1 in the Mountain West Conference.  It remains to be seen how the selection committee will view this dismissal, for it may ultimately cost BYU a potential #1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

Credit must be given to BYU for upholding its honor code with its purpose trumping any outside factors and possible coercion.  In taking this stand, the school fully understands that it may have hampered any chance it would have to capture its first National Championship.  While some people may jeer at the substance that is contained in the school’s honor code, that is not the matter at hand.  Davies was fully aware of the ramifications of violating the code and it is important to note that all those enrolled at BYU are held accountable to the same degree as their peers.  The only reason why this is making headlines is due to the fact that it involves a star basketball player.  Had this been a nondescript student, the individual would have been shown the door and expelled from the University.  By the same token, depending on what level Davies violated the ruling, the school could have easily swept it under the rug and turned a blind eye to the situation.  By taking the high road, it instills in its pupils that the best thing to do is always do what is right, even if it is not always the easiest.

UPDATE

The BYU Cougars suffered a 82-64 loss at home to New Mexico last night.  Also, it is now being reported that Brandon Davies violated the University’s honor code by having sex with his girlfriend.