Deseret News | Reader comments: 4 BYU students charged in theft

Reader comments
4 BYU students charged in theft

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Stupid choices | 6:10 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

It amazes me that a group of young adults can find a set of keys and continue to make poor choices afterwards by taking a car that doesn't belong to them and to attempt to use the credit card and other items over and over.

I know the young lady personally. She is a product of indulgence. She has a history of making stupid choices despite her parents trying to teach her otherwise.

Keith | 7:06 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Guess it just goes to show that even though everybody thinks BYU is like the Celestial Kingdom of universities and getting in is difficult for many of us not so elite and shining individuals, really stupid people can still get into that institution. Better yet, people can get in with absolutely no sense of morality whatsoever.

Tragic mistakes | 7:14 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

I hope the four can overcome their bad decisions. Now that they are all adults, the penalty will be more severe. One of the boys has parents who practice law.

Comments continue below

Possible consequences | 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

This is too bad. Unfortunately, this also has changed the reputation of the entire swim team, which hasn't dealt with anything of this magnitude before. This team has a great tradition and history and some freshman have decided to change people's view of the team now. Hopefully, the team will safely stay as part of the Athletic Department despite the poor decisions made. Poor, selfish choices often influence and hurt others, even those not directly involved. How unfortunate.

Some reporter | 7:33 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Funny how the reporter can't even get the facts strait! NONE of those 3 swimmers were at the swim meet this weekend in long beach, they were all left home.... AND THATS A FACT

Cut'em some slack | 7:34 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Cut'em some slack.
They were not let in because of their moral compass, they were let in because of their athletic ability.

They might grow up and be state senators...

criminals | 7:36 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

they are nothing but common criminals eith obvious wealyh backing them. they won't desrved justice like the average guy would.

Forgiveness | 11:34 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

I know all of these guys personally... I know this has been a product of misbehavior on all of their sides. However, we must always remember that there is still hope for the most vilest of sinners. The consequences of their actions will follow them for perhaps their entire lives. All we can do is feel pity for them. They still have their entire lives ahead of them, and hopefully they can use this as a turning point for the better and not for the worst. Afterall, Haven't all of us needed forgiveness at some time or another?

Eugene | 2:03 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

What were you guys thinking?

S. Hansen | 3:55 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

What a total shame. There are so many kids willing to give everything to attend BYU. These kids don't deserve to be there. They knew what the honor code was when they applied. I feel sick for their parents.

Dan | 4:49 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

If this is true, I hope they are expelled and do some hard time for these crimes. Did they think about what they were doing?

Skippy | 5:04 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

There is always hope but kick them out of BYU for now!

stoopid | 5:29 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

I can understand one or two hours, but two weeks?? Did they really think they could drive around a stolen car for two weeks without getting caught? They deserve whatever they get for being so stupid.

Nomad | 6:01 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

As a BYU graduate from 37 years ago, moral standards are just that. Standards. Each students who accepts attending BYU, acccepts living the standards. Once having violated the standards, no matter how trivial the world views the violation, the law of justice must be satisfied, tempered with mercy. Once we have exercized our agency, we do not get to choose again the consequence. Consequences come, and we deal with the consequence as intelligent adults, and not quibbling children.

What?!? | 6:47 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

Is Crowton coaching the swim team?!?

Carl | 7:11 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

They should voluntarily withdraw from BYU and register for classes at the U. If these kids are not kicked out of school for this, then when I pay my tithing, I will put an annotation on my check that asks that none of the funds be given to BYU.

I am joking folks. Let's let the administration deal with the matter and go back to watching the turkey fry.

Sharjah | 7:15 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

These students have made a shockingly bad or series of shockingly bad decisions. I suspect they will be dismissed from BYU. Having known some students whose grades were just shy of sufficient to attend BYU, I am always disappointed by those students who treat the privilege as a mess of pottage to be sold cheaply. Hopefully, these immature kids will be able to use this as a maturing experience and gain a solid education - elsewhere.

Good Attorney | 7:14 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

Well, at least Matt Rados will have a good attorney. His dad is a California attorney.

Mom is an attorney | 7:19 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

Looks like Rados' mom is also an attorney in NoCal

Kate | 7:19 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

Money speaks ï¿½ even at BYU. Regard for life is minimal and these students likely think they did nothing wrong; just a convenient use of the car for two weeks. The credit cards were a bonus. Somewhere in life, we the elder ones, have failed to teach many of these students the finer points of respect ï¿½ we have gone the other way and indulged. RESULT: see story!

GoodGuyGary | 7:25 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

I don't care what kind of justic they will get from the criminal case, but as a BYU grad and supporter, I do not want these people associate to my alma mater anymore. Please, honor code department, do what is good and right for this fine college.

Honor Code is Great | 7:26 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

BYU's honor code is great - I hope sincerely these kids are removed from BYU - there are many young people willing to obey the honor code to attend BYU. That being said, repentance is a reality and once they fully comply with the requirements of the law, both the civil law and whatever is required of them spiritually, I'm sure they will be welcomed back with open arms. I think we all were young and stupid once... Just some decision are more public and have more long lasting impact on our lives. Good luck kids.

Anonymous | 7:32 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

Suspend Them with out their Diplomas like the do everyone else

kokinos | 7:40 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

I hope no university official is in doubt as to what to do.

Ute | 8:08 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

How can this happen at the Y where family values, honor code & ethics and team work is emphasized? This cannot be true.

gw | 8:47 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

They have to go!!! There are thousands of kids, who got 24s on there SAT, and had a lousey 3.4 GPA and skipped one year of Seminary to sing in the mens chior at school who are outstanding citizens, who got denied entrance to the Y, this gives them a slot.

Forgiveness? | 8:58 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

There are always some who bandy about the concepts of forgiveness and pity, usually saying, "Haven't you ever needed forgiveness?". I'm moderate Lutheran (ELCA) and am amazed that any Christian can be so ignorant about the nature of forgiveness. Forgiveness is not freely given but is earned, like trust. The process is clear: confess, atone (set things right as much as possible; pay restitution), and repent (change the course of your life to avoid doing this again). Forgiveness is then up to the victim, and never to be expected. I shouldn't be amazed. Most Christians don't even know what repent really means.

Something approaching unconditional forgiveness is offered through the sacrifice of Christ--but even then, there remains the condition of accepting Christ. For a human to offer unconditional forgiveness is to set oneself above God. Even Christ himself didn't presume as much. He said, "Father, forgive them."

The penalties for poor behavior in this matter fall into the "render unto Caesar" category. Refusing to accept this is what "unconditional forgiveness" is all about, and it's called permissive. It's time to lose the phrase "poor choices" and speak the phrase "you could ruin your life" much more frequently.

They won't get kicked out | 9:00 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

Remember that one BYU volleyball player who has a brother on the BYU baseball team who got busted stealing $300/pair jeans? He's still at BYU. If you have athletic talent, BYU looks the other way.

trt | 9:08 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

Ute....your disguised sarcasm fools no one, and proves nothing. If the kids really are guilty, I hope they are made to pay for their foolishness. It was a stupid thing to do. Going to a school that emphasizes values does not guarantee that every single one of the students will toe the line.These students obviously didn't.

bill | 9:17 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

i understand Utah is trying to help these 3 young men. They are offering them a place on their swim team. Thanks utes I quess there is some heart up there after all.

Ironic | 9:19 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

A lot of sympathy is shown in these posts to the young people who committed the crime, but almost none to the woman who had her car and purse stolen. Don't forget the victim.

Also, I don't know what things are like now. But, when I was there, the athletic teams, specifically X Country, track, swim and volleyball, were anything but good representatives of the University/Church. People are naive about what goes on at BYU.

Adam | 9:35 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

Actually Ironic, nothing like this has ever happpened to the swim team. I don't think you've ever seen in the news something happening to a swim team member until now. In fact, BYU swim team always wins the award for the best GPA out of all the teams at BYU, and is consistently the most involved team in university and community service. Just because a few freshman made poor decisions doesn't speak for the whole athletic department. People like you are usually the ones who write stupid articles in the opinion sections of the daily universe about athletes wearing "tight shorts, sleeveless shirts, or speedos", and are (in your words) naive to the demands of a sport. You're just an outsider looking in and making pathetic speculations, and because you see a volleyball player in tight spandex shorts, all the sudden they are a bad representative of BYU.

Utah County | 9:52 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

These kids were morons. How could they think anything except that this was wrong. They should be kicked out of school. BYU also needs to look at the track record of the swim team. They have been idle citizens all these years. One bad incident should not hurt the rest of the swimmers. Punish the kids who committed the crime not the others.

Orson A. Round | 9:54 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

Great kids want to go to the Y. But it is sooooo hard to get in. The kids on scholarship don't have to meet the same requirements - not fair but athletics often wave the magic wand. These kids need to be suspended period. If this type of behavior is covered over then we need to do away with the athletic programs all together.

It is also STUPID for writers to bring the U into this mess. Utah would not condone this behavior either. Some need to get a life and quit the foolish banter between the Y and the U on topics like this.

Swim team | 9:56 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

I hope these bad eggs do not make BYU make a decision that could hurt the other swimmers. The swimmers have been good citizens all these years.

Too much Clorine | 10:23 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

Not only are these guys all criminals, they are just plain stupid. I don't know if they are LDS or not, but clearly they have no regard for the property of other people and mindlessly follow the "pack" when it comes to doing stupid things. The Y needs to teach individuality a bit better. Just because someone is at the Lord's school does not mean that others should follow along when they have a stupid and criminal idea. Maybe cut down on the amount of clorine in the pool or loosen the suits a bit because these guys are missing critical brain cells. Good thing Mommy and Daddy are rich out of staters that can educate the rest of Utah how to take care of their little babies.

yes sir | 10:24 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

Money does talk..Mom and Dad have money...really did not have the grades to get into BYU or the athletic ability or they would have been at the swim meet. Sad to say but BYU needs other donations also to make it function and I believe that is why these kids get to attend. Two different standards but we have seen that our entire life in the church. Your kid is disciplined and the Bishops kid does not have to wait to go on mission etc..Sad day for all..

It's Time To Move On... | 10:25 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

Some of the comments above really are remarkable, whether made in jest or not.

I suppose the "rivalry" week feelings just go on and on and on.

Give it a rest, guys.

Anonymous | 10:32 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

Ahh i hate thieves!!! Kick em off the team. I'm a good swimmer, i was all state, but i couldn't swim 50 yards now under 25 seconds to save my life. Give me the scholarship and i can sit the bench happily in their place! I promise i wont steal a car or money...

swim mom | 10:40 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

I am disappointed in Bill's comments making Utah athletics look bad instead of owning up to the fact that BYU athletes aren't always perfect. My husband and I were both BYU athletes and we have a child who swam for the U. I can tell you that the U's head coach would kick his best swimmer off the team without hesitation if they committed those crimes. This is devistating enough for the fine coaches and swimmers at BYU who ARE outstanding people. Please don't put Utah Swimming, who also is comprised of coaches and swimmers with integrity, in the middle of this mess!

Kick them off the team!!! | 10:47 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

Kick them off the team and out of BYU!!!

Free Agent | 10:50 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

I never considered BYU swim team members as athletes before, but now that they are showing the same level of judgment and intelligence as the football players, I will have to reconsider my stance.

Images | 10:51 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

BYU needs a name change.

Sam | 10:53 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

Its time these kids do some slammer time. They need hard consequences for their actions, or they will just repeat them. Expelling them from school is a given.

Thanks Swim Mom | 10:53 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

Did you notice that Bill wanted to keep the young lady at the Y but he was willing to give the three guys to the U? What is up with that Bill? Just a bit of your double standard that crept up on you unawares...

Anonymous | 11:03 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

is the U really going to take the two guy swimmers?

Utah Man | 11:25 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

No, Utah has standards too high to take these theives.

Swim Dad | 11:36 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

While this story is shocking, it is in no way representative of BYU's swim team. These kids are going to learn one of life's painful lessons. I just hope they can rebound from it. My daughter is a high school swimmer who has come up through the clubs here in Utah and would like to one day swim college. I for one would not hesitate to send her to a wonderful university like BYU.

Bob2 | 11:52 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

Gosh, quite a few,

"What were they thinking?"
"Pray for their families."
"Salvage their lives."
and
"Learning lifes painful lessons."
...posts.

I wonder if there would have been that many similar posts if the athletes would have been black football players who stole a computer?

honor code | 12:06 p.m. Nov. 27, 2008

there's nothing wrong with having an honor code. some people won't live up to it and some will. its not haughty or prideful to shoot for something higher. nobody feels byu is a "celestial" university. they are only striving to be better. these students will be sent home. people make mistakes. we can forgive them. hopefully those who hate byu can give up the hate and realize that people make mistakes everywhere. at all universities. byu does not assume we are better.

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