Y. probes party at gridders' home

PROVO — BYU is investigating possible honor-code violations by at least one football player.

The alleged violations stem from a party held at the residence of three players, sources say.

"We are aware of that matter, and we are investigating it," BYU football coach Gary Crowton told KSL Radio Wednesday night.

An investigation by Provo police turned up no criminal wrongdoing, detective Dan Dove said.

"We conducted a thorough, nearly weeklong investigation," Dove said. "We determined a crime did not occur and closed the investigation."

Dove declined to release the names of the players.

BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins refused to confirm or deny whether an honor-code investigation is under way.

"I do not even know the names of the students," Jenkins said. "Until it becomes a matter of public record, they bring it to the attention of the public or there's been a charge, we can't confirm or deny there is an investigation."

BYU's caution extended to the point that it issued a pre-emptive "no comment" before a Cougar Club party where coaches introduced new football recruits signed Wednesday to letters of intent.

The media alert sent by BYU football spokesman Jeff Reynolds said coaches would not address the subject of the investigation during the press conference. Reynolds said Crowton and the university were aware of the allegations and were conducting their own investigation into the matter.

BYU's honor code holds students to a stricter standard than the law. Students, including athletes, agree before they enroll to not drink alcohol, smoke or engage in premarital or extramarital sex.

That requires extra education during the recruiting process, recruiting coordinator Mike Empey said.

Empey said staff members spend extra time with recruits and their parents, explicitly detailing the uniqueness of BYU's honor code.

"We bring it up in front of the recruit and the family and discuss it and answer any questions they have," he said. "There is nothing left to guess on. We are very detailed in explaining how students at BYU are required to abstain from drinking, smoking and premarital sexual relations."

Empey said Crowton spends a segment at every team meeting and after every practice emphasizing the importance of adhering to the university's policies for conduct.