Blacks say they face some bias at BYU

PROVO — In the past year, Brigham Young University has disciplined or suspended 10 football players for alleged violations of the religious school's Honor Code — a list of personal-conduct rules to which all students must adhere.

Two were arrested in April on felony robbery charges. Four were kicked out of school in March for group sex at a January party. Four others were disciplined for Honor Code violations after an investigation into an alleged gang rape in August.

But in a series of interviews over the past month, several recently disciplined players and their parents told the Deseret Morning News that off the field, black players are treated unfairly by BYU administrators, Provo police officers and the Utah County Attorney's Office.

Their evidence? None of the players disciplined by the school in the past year is white.

BYU and law-enforcement officials vehemently deny any charges of discrimination against minorities. Several black players on this year's team also dismiss claims that university leaders lean harder on minority athletes in Honor Code probes.

"I don't think race has anything to do with it. I've heard of guys who are white being kicked out for lesser charges," says Curtis Brown, a black player on the team. "People want to make comments, but to me it's nonsense. When you sign the Honor Code, you've got to live it."

But some BYU athletic-department chiefs, professors and boosters say the school can do more to help urban and minority students adjust to life in Provo — a mostly Caucasian, conservative city nicknamed "The Bubble" by students.

At BYU, where blacks make up 0.6 percent of the student body, some athletes say they feel disenfranchised.

"I hope these claims aren't true, and I talk to the players all the time and I haven't heard anything like that, but I don't know," says Tom Holmoe, associate athletic director at BYU. "I would never say that racism doesn't go on, because it does.

"Our society has issues that occasionally pop up. And you know what? Sometimes it pops up in your own back yard."

Is racism an issue at BYU? Are blacks treated differently by the school's Honor Code Office? Do Provo officers target black players?

The answers, to be sure, depend on whom you ask.

Yes for some. No for others.

Those interviewed by the Deseret Morning News said most encounter racism or discrimination — sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant — while living in Utah Valley.

Sometimes it is nothing more than stares.

Sometimes it is much worse.

Charges of racism