BYU’s “honor code” tough to live by.

By Ada Vasquez

BYU's honor code does not allow for its students to have pre-marital sexual relations.

If you follow college basketball then you probably already heard the news that Brigham Young University sophomore forward Brandon Davies has been dismissed from the basketball team for violating the school’s honor code.

BYU’s code, if any of my fine readers are wondering, states that all students should: be honest, live a chaste and virtuous life, obey the law and all campus policies, use clean language, respect others, abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee and substance abuse, participate regularly in church services, observe the Dress and Grooming Standard, encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code.

Davies was leading the No. 3 Cougers (27-3) in rebounding and averaging double digits in scoring. This is a kid who was one of senior guard Jimmer Freddete’s favorite targets down low. He was a key figure in disrupting then No. 4 San Diego States bigs during their 80-67 upset – if we can call it that.

Reports have surfaced that Davies admitted to having sex with his girlfriend, which by the schools code is a violation and warranted dismissal from the team.

I respect the school’s code, but do I agree with it? Not necessarily. In my own youth and college years I would have found it impossible to live by this code. Again, I’m not bashing it, just saying I really enjoyed my time in college and couldn’t see myself living by this.

During my time scouting potential college destinations, should I have came across such a code of honor, I would have been shocked first an foremost, and simply dropped them from consideration. What do most of us go to college for? Most people I know targeted designated party schools, places where they were sure they’d be able to let loose, skip a class here and there due to hangovers, and marvel at coeds.

I truly feel for Davies, but the guy had to know about the code. There’s no way you go to a school and simply don’t make yourself aware of the rules, especially at a private and religious one like BYU. If anything be as discrete as possible, man. We all love and want sex. We’re human beings, its part of nature.

Humans have sex, plain and simple.

On one end I applaud the school for living by its code through and through. Now of days rules are broken left and right and players, coaches, and administrators simply get a slap on the wrist and go about their business. So for BYU, who was considered a possible Final Four team before Davies dismissal, to make such a drastic decision shows the integrity they carry.

No one is above their code of honor. It doesn’t matter if you’re a star athlete or a regular student.

To understand how valuable Davies was to this team and to Freddete, the Cougars were upset by un-ranked New Mexico 82-64, their only bad loss this season.

So who’s at fault here? Davies for having sex? Or the school for living by an honor code that in todays day and age may be impossible for anyone, especially 18-22 year olds to live by? This is a university that bans the consumption of tea and coffee. Let’s realize that these are college students, with college courses, and college midterms and finals. I don’t know how many of my own classmates, including myself didn’t pull all-nighters studying for exams, and thanks to coffee, Red Bull, Monster, or 5-Hour Energy were up the next morning for an 8 a.m. class.

Yeah, most of you know exactly what I’m talking about. Making it through without those things would have been difficult.

With all that said, I respect BYU for honor their own code, but give the guy a break. He didn’t commit a criminal act, nor did he put anyone in harms way. Maybe BYU needs to review their honor code and ask themselves how realistic they are to keep, for everyone. Or maybe they shouldn’t.

One thing is certain, however, the BYU Cougars dream season might be about to crumble. I’m hoping it doesn’t, because “Cinderella’s” are a joy come March Madness.

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