It’s been a while since I’ve posted. A few recent posts and comments in the media about the “BYU Experience” really got me thinking. For many of you, my history is well documented on this board. I think I bring a unique perspective as a 2nd generation Athlete that was raised by a former BYU football player…eating sleeping and drinking BYU football. All the while I wasn’t LDS and I have never had plans to be.

I’ll never forget the recruiting process I went through in high school. I was a BYU legacy kid, but I wasn’t LDS so I think I fit into a profile that a lot of coaches felt they could capitalize on. My father, having been through the process before, was right there by my side through most of it all. I was not the athlete my father was, but my name and the fact that I was a pretty good player got me a little recognition.

I’ll never forget the first D-1 school I visited. I remember my dad knowing some of the coaches and introducing me. I’ll never forget the experience I had at that particular school. The coaches were all super nice guys. They bent over backwards to help me feel at home and have a good experience. We went through the standard recruiting visit routine: Tour of the facilities, tour of the campus, out to eat, meeting with coaches. Then when evening came, I was handed off to some current players to go have a good time. I remember the coach introducing us “Now this kid’s dad is a BYU guy….he said with a chuckle, go show him a good time.” I remember glancing at my dad as if to ask him what that meant. I’d find out soon enough.

That night I got a taste of the college party scene. I remember we went to a swimming pool and there was a soda machine…after we had been swimming for a while, one of the players winked at me and said “Hey watch this” he jumped up and tipped over the machine. Soda pop cans came rolling out in every direction. “Free soda!” One of them yelled. I was an 18 year old kid. I didn’t know what to think…except that these guys were really cool. Next we went to a frat party where there were girls and booze aplenty. “Hey ‘lil bro, play your cards right and we’ll get you hooked up right!” one of the guys assured me. It was a lot to take in. It was fun, and to be honest probably pretty harmless. I will never forget what one of the players said to me as he dropped me off for the night, “Hey bud, just remember, we have nights like tonight all the time. Come here and you’ll get that. Go to your dad’s school and who knows bud.” I remember those words well. I HAD FUN THAT NIGHT. Those guys were good guys. The coaches were good guys. It really made me think. Partying wasn’t that bad. Sex with your girlfriend wasn’t bad. Just be smart and do it all in moderation and college was going to be great! Plus I’d be playing the sport I loved.

The next day, after a productive one on one meeting with one of the coaches, I headed out with my dad. I did the thing I always seemed to do, and still do to this day; I asked what we thought. “So dad, it was awesome last night!” I said. “Great!” My dad replied. Then…total silence. A few minutes passed. “Soooo, are you gonna say anything Dad?” I asked. “Well, what do you want me to say?” he responded. “I wanna know what you think about that place!” I fired back, a little annoyed. Again, more silence. Finally, after several minutes he spoke up. “Instead of telling you about what I think, how about I ask YOU, about what YOU want!” then he paused, turned to me and asked “….So what do you want?” I quickly responded. “To go to school and play football!” I retorted. At this point he was slowing the car to pull over. This was a bad sign. He stopped the car and looked at me. The man’s arms are huge and he never really intimidated me, but this time he kinda did. He looked at me and paused ”………..And?” he said. I looked him straight back in the eye. “And have fun!” I said. Another pause came. “And have fun?” he said. “That’s what you want?” to go to school and play football and have fun?” He looked back at me with his eyebrows raised. “Yeah?” I responded…not knowing what he was looking for. He shook his head and laughed. “Well son, I guess that’s ok, but can I tell you what I want for you?” “Yeah sure, what?” I said a little testily. “I want you to go to school, play football, learn to be disciplined. Learn how to sacrifice. Learn how to work hard. Learn how to restrain yourself, and I want you to learn how to be great. How to be exceptional.” He said, with his hand on my shoulder. If you are focused on that, you won’t be focused on having sex with your girlfriend or partying or drinking, there won’t be time.” He said. “When young kids get involved in those things, it messes with their head….they aren’t ready yet, especially if you are striving to be a great football player.” He added. “People say that college is about having fun and that may be a part of it, but what BYU and Coach Edwards did for me was help me to become a man.”

So to all you kids out there who are getting taste of the how special BYU is. And for all the people telling you that BYU is bad because it lacks the “college experience”. Let me just say this, nobody ever became great because they had sex with their girlfriend when they were 20. Nobody ever became great because they got to drink at a college frat party. Yes, a lot of people do those things and turn out fine. However, you become great by being setting your sights high and not letting anything stand in your way. When others are partying, be in the weight room. Be studying. Be focused. At the end of the day, you’ll be grateful you did.

And that my friends, is why this non-lds dude bleeds blue! Go cougs! The BYU experience is a worthwhile one if you commit to it!