"Winning"

"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out." – Proverbs 10:9

Earlier this week, the Florida Gators beat BYU 83 to 74 in the NCAA Sweet 16 tournament.  But the final score is not the final story.  In losing, BYU has won.

Just weeks before March Madness began, number three ranked BYU, a favorite to make it to the Final Four, stunned the sports world, when it suspended its number two player Brandon Davies for breaking the school's honor code. Not since 1981 has BYU been poised to be a contender at the big dance. But the suspension of Davies severely weakened the team's ability to go deep into the tournament.  At a time in college sports, when more and more schools are choosing money and winning over integrity, standing firm on a code of honor has made BYU an underdog, and a favorite.

We've gotten used to top athletes and celebrities crying "poor me," when they've gotten caught. Remember Barry Bonds and Charlie Sheen?  So how did Brandon react  to his discipline? He has not gone from TV show to TV show, giving Sheen-like rants. He has not hired a high-priced attorney to sue the school or demand reinstatement to the team. In fact, he was the one who turned himself in.  Like other big time universities have recently done, it would have been tempting for the athletic director and coach to cover up the situation — but instead, they immediately notified the school's honor code office.

Not only did BYU talk the talk, they walk the walk, sticking to its guns and morals, despite the consequences. With millions of dollars and exposure on the line, BYU chose to do what was right by them. To often, college athletics turn from their stated purpose, trample values, and look for loopholes. Most recently Tennessee, Ohio State, Auburn, Oregon have all broken NCAA rules, and did everything to squirm out of the consequences. But here, neither BYU or Bandon Davies broke any NCAA rule. Brandon broke the code of honor contract that he made with his school, and some may say, with God.

Our country can learn a lesson from Brigham Young University — a lesson about sports, honor and walking in integrity in the presence of God.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.