PROVO —
The story of Harvey Unga took a final tortured twist Wednesday, when reports confirmed the BYU running back won't be returning.
That's a good thing for him and for BYU — and I don't say that in a snide way.
Unga, as well as Cougar basketball player Keilani Moeaki, left school voluntarily in April, after admitting to violating the honor code. Had he been allowed to return for the football season, it would have been a very public and taxing process. He can now move on.
Meanwhile, Unga's departure actually helps BYU image-wise, which at first may sound strange, but it's true. Under certain stipulations, there was a chance he could have returned for the 2010 season. But for a school that proudly stands by its honor code, Unga's return would have looked bad, no matter what reparations he took. The perception would have been that BYU was soft on the star athlete.
It's not an image BYU can afford to project.
In another era, under another coach, the Unga story wouldn't have been so big. Subsequent reports revealed Moeaki and he had dated and that at one point been engaged. Nobody has been specific about the details of Unga's departure. But one thing is clear: What passes for normal at most schools can be a major violation at BYU.
Violations lead to suspensions or dismissals, which lead to embarrassing publicity.
The story is especially relevant in the Bronco Mendenhall era. The football coach has often stressed that his team adheres to LDS standards of sexual purity before marriage, high character and citizenship. He has even drawn comparisons between the Cougars and heroic Book of Mormon characters.
All that stuff is fine; BYU can define itself as it wishes. It certainly doesn't need to apologize for its policy as a private school with clearly defined standards.
If you don't like it, don't sign up.
Consequently, the Unga situation drew national attention in the media. He is the school's all-time rushing leader. Some outlets marveled at BYU's naivety, saying the school needs to be realistic.
Yet it's also ignorant to believe there aren't people who live every rule in the honor code. There have been thousands of BYU athletes to do so. Some mess up, but the majority don't. Some get caught, and some don't.
Despite the turmoil, Unga's departure will actually help recruiting. First, it will help simplify things. If any recruit is still under the impression the honor code is just window dressing, they'll now know differently. The loss is a major setback to the football team.
This should weed out some who thought they could go to BYU for the football but stay for the partying.
Second, it serves to back up what Mendenhall has been selling all along: BYU is a different place. If you're a parent of an LDS athlete and want your kid to go to BYU for all the reasons the honor code represents, this only reinforces it.
BYU will get fewer athletes who don't buy into the honor code but more who wholeheartedly support it. It could even give BYU a stronger attraction to LDS players than before.
Having Unga back would have presented a dilemma for Mendenhall, or at least an image problem. Whatever details might have facilitated Unga's return would have sent the message that BYU winks when a star is involved.
Unga is far from the first athlete to leave or be expelled for honor code issues, and he won't be the last. For now, he's just the most visible. The Cougars can now proceed to next season, principles intact and message delivered, while Unga can pursue his hopes of playing in the pros.
Meanwhile, parents of potential BYU athletes can sleep easier knowing that even stars don't get a free pass.
It's a message Mendenhall and BYU should want to get out.
e-mail: rock@desnews.com