In an era when integrity often takes a back seat to winning, it's refreshing to see a school put principle over performance.
By suspending star running back Ronney Jenkins and starting cornerback Heshimu Robertson for honor code violations, Brigham Young University seriously hampered its chances for victory Dec. 31 in the Liberty Bowl. Jenkins had the second best rushing season in BYU history with 1,307 yards and 13 touchdowns. Robertson started every game and broke up a team-high 12 passes during the season to go along with 40 tackles.BYU easily could have kept the violations quiet and dealt with them after the bowl game with undefeated Tulane. After all, it's an internal matter. The names of the suspended athletes do not appear on any police blotters or other public records.
But BYU, to its credit, didn't give the two athletes a free pass. It remained true to its principles.
The honor code prohibits premarital sex and the use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs. Violations of the honor code are dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Penalties may include expulsion from school.
Few if any other schools have such a stringent behavioral code. BYU makes sure all incoming students understand the honor code and that breaking it is not a trivial matter. That obviously includes athletes, even the best ones. Lofty standards require undeviating equity.
Even casual observers shouldn't be surprised by the suspensions. BYU has a history of principled actions.
Because the school is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it will not participate in Sunday athletic events. Earlier this year the NCAA instituted a rule that virtually mandated Sunday competition in various sports.
Instead of changing its policy, BYU, with a lot of assistance from Campbell University, a Baptist-affiliated school in North Carolina, rallied support to have the policy reversed. Duke, Michigan, Southern Cal and Stanford were among the schools supporting BYU and forcing the NCAA to change its ill-advised policy.
This week's action is another example of the importance of institutional integrity. Thanks to BYU and its president, Merrill J. Bateman, for reminding the world where its priorities should be.