The lack of transparency BYU continues to display in the aftermath of the “Miami Beach Brawl” is shameful. The BYU athletics mission statement provides “Three Program Pillars.” One such pillar requires individuals in the athletics program to "live faith-based values of morality, charity and honor.” Another pillar charges these individuals with "displaying world-class sportsmanship."
There is no honor, let alone sportsmanship, in using the uncertainty surrounding player suspensions to gain, in Bronco Mendenhall’s words, a “competitive advantage.” Jon Solomon, in an article for cbssports.com, questioned this approach: “What message are we supposed to take away? That BYU, with its Honor Code, would rather keep Nebraska guessing about who's playing than identify exactly who's being held accountable?"
Other schools set a higher standard, which BYU should follow. The University of Memphis — citing the “highest standards of sportsmanship and personal conduct” — announced that it would suspend 12 players who were involved in the brawl. Likewise, the University of Nebraska, the victim of BYU’s asserted advantage, recently confirmed the suspension of five players for its opening game against BYU. Though neither school provided names as Mr. Solomon suggests, each school did provide exact numbers. BYU, in contrast, has yet to provide any information beyond the obvious fact that some players will not participate in the Nebraska game.
Forget world-class; BYU fails to display Omaha- or Memphis-class sportsmanship.
Brett Gilmore
North Salt Lake