6 gridders punished by BYU

PROVO — Brigham Young University officials punished six football players Thursday for honor code violations committed during a January party attended by potential recruits — but that won't be the end of the university's investigation into the incident and related issues.

As a review of the students' conduct neared its end over the past week, the university launched a probe into the football team's recruiting policies and how well the athletic department educates student athletes about the LDS Church-owned school's honor code, university spokeswoman Carri Jenkins confirmed.

"Our focus in this last month has been on the honor code review" of the six players, Jenkins said. "The review is now complete, and we are in the initial phase of examining important, related athletic issues and policies. The university recognizes that further review is necessary regarding important athletic issues and policies."

BYU's dean of students, Vern Heperi, dismissed one player from school, suspended three others for one year and placed two on probation. The two on probation will be able to work out with the team when spring practice begins Monday.

Two other athletes — a seventh football player and one female — withdrew from school before the honor code review began, Jenkins said.

Students at BYU must agree to adhere to an honor code. The personal-conduct code bans consumption of alcohol and tobacco, as well as extramarital sex.

The four players who were dismissed or suspended will not be able to play for any NCAA football team this fall.

One of the athletes punished is believed to be running back Reynaldo Brathwaite, who would have been a key senior next season. Brathwaite led BYU with 812 yards rushing last year, his first with the Cougars.

Brathwaite's former coach at Grossmont Junior College said Thursday in a telephone interview that he asked the running back last week if he wanted help finding another school and that Brathwaite said he had one last chance at BYU on Monday.

Jenkins said Thursday's decision is proof that BYU took the allegations about the off-campus party seriously.

"The actions of the university speak for themselves," Jenkins said. "Suspension and dismissal are the most serious sanctions levied in an honor code case. Dismissal means a student's relationship with the university is permanently severed.