I was in a meeting at BYU about two and a half weeks ago where Pres. Worthen spoke to our group on a whole range of subjects. It is a support group to the university but has nothing to do with athletics. I personlly asked him about his vision for BYU sports and specifically football in the long-term strategy of the university. He was adament and enthusiastic about its importance and cited three or four specific reasons supporting its role. (I'm not going into the details of that to keep this net.) He said it is self-sustaining and, so long as tithing dollars aren't required, there is no thought of discontinuing or limiting it.

He specifically spoke about JC transfers and the challenge presented to D1 schools because the NCAA requires that they attain an Associate degree before they can play. (Apparently this rule only applies to D1 level.) His tone and comments were along the lines that this makes it more difficult for BYU, i.e. we would like to source more from JCs like we've done in the past.

I doubt he would have brought up JC transfers and certainly would have downplayed it if he was choosing to make access more limited.

He is a big supporter of BYU football. This is not the first time have heard him promote the team.

Do we always have to embrace the crackpots who immediately presume the President, BOT, Brethren, are the dark spectres ready to toss BYU athletics over the side??