Tradition and Honor

What do these two athletes have in common? They were both dismissed from their respective teams due to honor code violations at BYU. The difference? Harvey Unga's dismissal happened in the off-season, while Brandon Davies was dismissed two games before the end of the regular season while the BYU basketball team was at the height of it's success.

In both cases, I was upset and disappointed...upset because the two teams lost star players. Disappointed because of devastating effects on the teams, but also because of the decisions that were made.

Last night, BYU played the first game without Brandon Davies, and he was definitely missed. Personally, I missed him in terms of the score (which was dismal, to say the least), and he was a lot of fun to watch and had a ton of talent. I also missed his part of the starting line up introductions. I love the pre-game intro when the players dance in a circle with Davies at the center. It makes for an exciting beginning to the games.

I am, however, very impressed at the positive attention BYU has received because of the whole situation. BYU is known for its high standards and honor code. Yes, the honor code is strict and requires a lot of the students, but every student that applies to BYU is aware of and agrees to the conduct and lifestyle required. Would it have been easier to have just hidden everything until after the NCAA tournament? Of course. Would anyone have really known? Probably not. But that is not how the school and the athletic program work. To dismiss a starting player, one who is high on the list of favorites, so close to the tournament says a lot. BYU is more willing to abide by standards than to perform well in sports.

CBS on the BYU Honor Code: BYU Honor Code: Was Brandon Davies unchaste, untrue, or worse? (please note the direct link to the Honor Code...I wonder how many hits it has had in the last 24 hours)

ESPN.com, Pat Forde: BYU Puts Principle over Performance

ESPN Insider Chris Broussard calls the honor code "refreshing." And Skip Bayless gives it respect.

And of course, his teammates stand by him... From People: Cougars teammate Jimmer Fredette says Davies "told us everything. He told us he was sorry and that he let us down. We just held our heads high and told him it was okay, that it is life, and you make mistakes, and you just got to play through it."

I will stand by BYU and the Honor Code. I also respect the decision that was made. I terribly miss Brandon Davies, but I respect him for the courage this must take. He's a great basketball player and hopefully, we will see in again in the future.

Valentine's Day

For the first time since probably elementary school, I can actually say that I enjoyed Valentine's Day. Nothing big happened, but I have amazing friends, and that's all that matters.

A few years ago, I came across a video that I found very entertaining. I don't know if anyone else will, but since it is a Valentine's video, I thought I would share it (the main video starts at 58 seconds)...

This is Country Music

I wrote a while ago about how music speaks to me and can describe how I feel. Then I heard, yet, another song. This song explains why I find songs that describe my life.



So turn it on, turn it up, and sing a long
This is real; this is your life in a song
Yeah this is country music.

My life in a song...country music!

What I Need

A new favorite song of mine:

What I Need

by: Collin Raye

I knew all the answers
The way my life should go
And when I used to say my prayers
I would tell God so
It seemed He wasn't listening
I thought He didn't care
But lookin' back
It's plain to see
He was always there

'Cause I prayed for strength
And I got pain that made me strong
I prayed for courage
And got fear to overcome
When I prayed for faith
My empty heart brought me to my knees
I don't always get what I want
I get what I need

I'm not sayin' that it's easy
Or that it doesn't hurt
When nothing seems to go my way
Nothing seems to work
These days I'm getting better
At goin' with the flow
Accepting that sometimes the answer
To a prayer is no

'Cause I prayed for strength
And I got pain that made me strong
I prayed for courage
And got fear to overcome
When I prayed for faith
My empty heart brought me to my knees
I don't always get what I want
I get what I need

Every time I've had a door slammed in my face
In time a better one was opened in its place

I prayed for strength
And I got pain that made me strong
I prayed for courage
And got fear to overcome
When I prayed for faith
My empty heart brought me to my knees
I don't always get what I want
I get what I need

Oh I don't always get what I want
I get what I need

It seems so often that I don't get what I want, because it's so different from what I need. I keep telling myself that I will get what I want because at some point, the two will converge and become the same thing. It's happened in the past, and it will happen again and again in the future.

"You Got Jimmered"

I have found a new love...BYU basketball. I have loved BYU football for a long time, and I get excited about it, and really into games, and it's great. I just love football. Recently, I have found the same excitement in basketball. I love it!

Last night, BYU played against #4 SDSU. I've been excited about this game for a while now, and it definitely didn't disappoint. The amazing Jimmer Fredette pulls off 43 points...just like that. Watching him truly thrills me. He makes shots that no one has business taking...a three-point fade-away shot while being double teamed with hands practically thrown in his face, or there's the random (or not so random) shot from 7 or 8 feet behind the three-point line. If the crazy shots aren't enough, just add to it the fact that he makes it look effortless.

The rest of the team played really well too. Saturday against Colorado State, it appeared that they weren't playing defense at

all, but last night they were awesome. I loved the blocks and the steals. Plus, they had some great offensive plays. Even though Jimmer scored about 60% of the points, the whole team played great!

Oh...I just love it! I get excited to even think about the upcoming games. 2:00 Saturday afternoon...you can bet I'll be watching!

Happy Early Birthday!

Okay...it may be just a little bit early, but I think I have already decided what I want to be doing the night of my 25th birthday. Driving home tonight, I heard on the radio that Tim McGraw is coming on tour again this summer to USANA...on my birthday. I mean, seriously, what better way to spend a birthday! Yep, even though it's well in advance, I think that's what I will do. :)

New Years...

Wow...what an amazing year that has just finished. I can't really put into words all that I have learned and how I have changed in the last year, but it has been incredible. When I think back on who I was one year ago, I would not even imagine the person I am today. If one year ago, I saw how I am today, I probably wouldn't have recognized myself. Those who really knew me a year ago and still know me now would agree that 2010 has done wonders for me.

But, now as I look forward to 2011, I am filled with excitement. For the first time really, I feel like there are new years resolutions that I can set. I have something I really want to work on, and I'm excited to see what I can do with it. I have no idea what this year will bring to me, but I feel that I will find many great opportunities. I'm going to do some traveling which will bring new experiences. I've got a lot of great friends. I have a good job. Things are just going well. I'm excited to see what great changes happen this coming year.