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BYU football: Another missionary switches to play for Y.
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True Believer | 12:30 a.m. June 2, 2008
I guess I'm naive, but I really thought that BYU respected the values of
the church that owns them. As a former missionary I am very disappointed Bronco
would have these Elders focus on stuff outside the mission. For all those who
say that it is just part of recruiting, I guess standards aren't important
to this University. I wonder why people think we are hypocrites?
re: Shadow? | 9:36 a.m. June 2, 2008
Um Shadow boy . . .
BYU has had an undefeated season and a national championship which caused a lot of fuss in the first place leading to the Bowl Alliance (designed to keep BYU out) and eventually the BCS.
Again it was BYU who repeatedly challenged the rules meant to keep them out that lowered the necessary ranking to the top 12 (2001) and eventually made it possible for Utah to crack into the BCS, then BSU and Hawaii.
So to be clear, BYU's previous success (national champs) created the road block, that others had to traverse in order to be crowned with accomplishing some extraordinary feat.
Playing in a BCS bowl game is only a big deal because they created BCS games to keep mid majors out because of BYU. That seems like a shadow to me that all other mid majors are still trying to over come.
Who would be more renowned/successful the first person to scale the outside of an enormous skyscraper or the person who built the enormous skycraper in the first place? I bet that skyscraper casts a mean shadow :-) and a smart climber would like choose the shaded side of the building.
BYU has had an undefeated season and a national championship which caused a lot of fuss in the first place leading to the Bowl Alliance (designed to keep BYU out) and eventually the BCS.
Again it was BYU who repeatedly challenged the rules meant to keep them out that lowered the necessary ranking to the top 12 (2001) and eventually made it possible for Utah to crack into the BCS, then BSU and Hawaii.
So to be clear, BYU's previous success (national champs) created the road block, that others had to traverse in order to be crowned with accomplishing some extraordinary feat.
Playing in a BCS bowl game is only a big deal because they created BCS games to keep mid majors out because of BYU. That seems like a shadow to me that all other mid majors are still trying to over come.
Who would be more renowned/successful the first person to scale the outside of an enormous skyscraper or the person who built the enormous skycraper in the first place? I bet that skyscraper casts a mean shadow :-) and a smart climber would like choose the shaded side of the building.
Comments continue below
geezer | 10:46 a.m. June 2, 2008
RE: mnhusker
Isn't a small time winning program better than a big time "loser" program. Tell us how great the UN is when you win a conference championship. (Oh for the good old days)
Isn't a small time winning program better than a big time "loser" program. Tell us how great the UN is when you win a conference championship. (Oh for the good old days)
Recruiting | 11:23 a.m. June 2, 2008
Please folks, some of you are making out recruiting of missionaries to be like
recruiting was of Johnny Walker in the 1988 film Johnny Be Good. I can assure
you that no used car salesman booster is flying missionaries off to parties with
scantilly clad cheer leaders. I'm relatively positive that there was not
even a face-to-face visit in these situations being debated.
In articles a few years back about recruiting the school stated that they do stay in contact with (by some of your definitions that is recruiting) all BYU football players on missions. Each month they send them a letter with a spiritual message as the predominant part of the letter and encouraging thoughts on their service. They also include a smaller portion with an update on the team. And I'm sure also some language about their commitment to honor their scholarship when they return. Likely a monthly form letter of sorts.
I'm sure that contact/recruiting with these non-BYU athletes was not much more except with an offer at the end. I'm very doubtful that BYU's method of handling this is anymore disruptive to a missionary than Mitt running for president questions are.
In articles a few years back about recruiting the school stated that they do stay in contact with (by some of your definitions that is recruiting) all BYU football players on missions. Each month they send them a letter with a spiritual message as the predominant part of the letter and encouraging thoughts on their service. They also include a smaller portion with an update on the team. And I'm sure also some language about their commitment to honor their scholarship when they return. Likely a monthly form letter of sorts.
I'm sure that contact/recruiting with these non-BYU athletes was not much more except with an offer at the end. I'm very doubtful that BYU's method of handling this is anymore disruptive to a missionary than Mitt running for president questions are.
HS Recruiting | 11:33 a.m. June 2, 2008
So based on comments/accusations by posters here we are to assume that Coach
Higgins specifically went to the HS coach for Riley and only Riley. Is it
possible that he was there for other athletes that are still in school and the
topic came up? Is it unrealistic to think the topic came up in an innocent
manner after all the rumors that went around in the Fall?
I would like to point out the timeline on Teo. His families inquiry to BYU was last May, BYU's response/contact to him wasn't until January which happened to be the point in time that he had been on his mission for a year (meeting NCAA guidelines).
Most teams already have names of who they are recruiting/watching for 2009, 2010 and 2011. Some have even offered scholarships for 2009 & 2010. So yes it is important for a missionary to have these things decided up to a year before they leave their mission. If they do not then they can be left out of the mix all together.
I would like to point out the timeline on Teo. His families inquiry to BYU was last May, BYU's response/contact to him wasn't until January which happened to be the point in time that he had been on his mission for a year (meeting NCAA guidelines).
Most teams already have names of who they are recruiting/watching for 2009, 2010 and 2011. Some have even offered scholarships for 2009 & 2010. So yes it is important for a missionary to have these things decided up to a year before they leave their mission. If they do not then they can be left out of the mix all together.
Missionary work | 1:05 p.m. June 2, 2008
What is more distracting?
Using some time on a couple P-Day's to address after mission life like what school to attend/scholarship to accept.
OR
Knocking on doors answered by half naked women, drunks or people that won't turn their TV's off of inappropriate shows bringing many many worldly things right into their thoughts as they try to do their jobs.
Unbelieveable that people would think a wholesome activity like preparing for their future on a P-Day (P stands for preparation) would be taboo.
Using some time on a couple P-Day's to address after mission life like what school to attend/scholarship to accept.
OR
Knocking on doors answered by half naked women, drunks or people that won't turn their TV's off of inappropriate shows bringing many many worldly things right into their thoughts as they try to do their jobs.
Unbelieveable that people would think a wholesome activity like preparing for their future on a P-Day (P stands for preparation) would be taboo.
Goals | 1:16 p.m. June 2, 2008
"Shadow - YES!! | 3:48 p.m. May 30, 2008
Lovin it. ByU fans can't seem to admit that all of this upcoming season goals are ones that Utah already accomplished."
Actually these are the goals/hopes that every coach in the land has every year whether they are from a BCS conference or not. They just wouldn't be advertised or spoken about or get any press even if they were talked about because it isn't realistic for every school. But when it becomes realistic it will get press. When it means it would come at the cost of one of those other schools similar goals (i.e. not all MWC teams can go undefeated) it will be met with dissent or indignation.
Do you think someone from the BigTen, SEC, Acc, Big East, or Big 12, etc care about BYU's goal being public. NO it won't matter to them because we don't have any games against those conferences on the schedule.
The only goal of significance on the list we haven't already done at BYU is play in a BCS game, but as some others have pointed out this is only a goal because the BCS exists because of BYU's past success.
Lovin it. ByU fans can't seem to admit that all of this upcoming season goals are ones that Utah already accomplished."
Actually these are the goals/hopes that every coach in the land has every year whether they are from a BCS conference or not. They just wouldn't be advertised or spoken about or get any press even if they were talked about because it isn't realistic for every school. But when it becomes realistic it will get press. When it means it would come at the cost of one of those other schools similar goals (i.e. not all MWC teams can go undefeated) it will be met with dissent or indignation.
Do you think someone from the BigTen, SEC, Acc, Big East, or Big 12, etc care about BYU's goal being public. NO it won't matter to them because we don't have any games against those conferences on the schedule.
The only goal of significance on the list we haven't already done at BYU is play in a BCS game, but as some others have pointed out this is only a goal because the BCS exists because of BYU's past success.
Tithing | 7:22 p.m. June 2, 2008
Sometimes I wish i could get a tithing differal and send my tithing money to
college X instead of BYU.
Crazy. But as a mormon I am supporting BYU and I do not like the school much at all. But what do you do? So all you zoobie fans that think you are soooo cool. Remember that not only is your program subsidized by your boosters but it is also subsidized by all the mormons. So you are not so holy as you think. your educations are in part paid by me. But that is o.k. because you really need the help.
Crazy. But as a mormon I am supporting BYU and I do not like the school much at all. But what do you do? So all you zoobie fans that think you are soooo cool. Remember that not only is your program subsidized by your boosters but it is also subsidized by all the mormons. So you are not so holy as you think. your educations are in part paid by me. But that is o.k. because you really need the help.
MormonAggie | 11:24 p.m. June 2, 2008
Yep your right, Bronco represents everything that is disgusting, evil,
reprehensible and just plain bad. What a creep he is, actually giving
scholarships to kids who want to play at BYU over Utah State doesnt get much
lower than that. Next you know he will keep encouraging young men to continue
to speak to youth groups, do service projects while on road trips, and represent
spiritual things, what a jerk.
GO COUGS!! | 11:51 p.m. June 2, 2008
I am loving all of this! What is so wrong about these college athletes making
the decision to play at BYU? Nothing!! They have gone on their missions, and
they have realized that what BYU has to offer cannot be found anywhere else.
Plus, they get to play for a great coach, a great program, and for a great
university. It looks like the Cougars are re-loading and are going to continue
to dominate the MWC for years to come!! Ute fans, atleast you have gymnastics.
Zoobie Nation | 8:06 a.m. June 3, 2008
Riley was caught up in the missionary experience and that has definatly help
change his mind to want to play with his missionary buddies that are going to
BYU. he will get more exposure at by ZOO and so it's a good move for him.
But when he gets to the zoo and all of the zoobies are cussing and doing
everything that his aggie players did he will then realize that it is only about
football. To the zoobie zealots: whether byu wins or not it doesn't
matter if you haven't done your home teaching!! Good luck Riley, I hope
the zoo let down is not too great for you.
My Final Thoughts | 8:27 a.m. June 3, 2008
USU fans- I'm sorry for your loss of Riley Nelson. If I were an Aggie fan I
would be upset too.
Should LDS missionaries be recruited on their missions? In an ideal world no.
Should Riley Nelson be thinking about football on his mission? In an ideal world no.
Should LDS missionaries think about their futures while on missions? Who doesn't?
Is Bronco Mendenhall the Great Sataan? (only to a few Aggie and Ute fans)
Is BYU fortunate to have Bronco Mendenhall? Absolutely. The guy is almost squeaky clean Cougar fans. Don't abandon ship over nothing.
Should LDS missionaries be recruited on their missions? In an ideal world no.
Should Riley Nelson be thinking about football on his mission? In an ideal world no.
Should LDS missionaries think about their futures while on missions? Who doesn't?
Is Bronco Mendenhall the Great Sataan? (only to a few Aggie and Ute fans)
Is BYU fortunate to have Bronco Mendenhall? Absolutely. The guy is almost squeaky clean Cougar fans. Don't abandon ship over nothing.
Why Recruit? | 1:51 p.m. June 3, 2008
Why have local teams with athletes from where ever? What happened to the days
where people represented there local schools. Look at Florida State and some of
the other power house schools. more than half of there players are from
anywhere but their own state. What is the point of that. It has actually
ruined college athletic programs. it should be local kids playing for local
schools. This would keep the money and corruption out to the games!!
to Tithing | 8:36 a.m. June 7, 2008
Yes, and our tax dollars help pay for your education at your school (if you even
went to one, which I doubt).
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Bronco offered a scholarship to a Missionary? Call the National Guard!!!! Cats and dogs living together!!!! The Church isn't true!!!!
I don't know what's funnier, the irrelevant story about a simple recruit changing his mind, or the incredible backlash against BYU and the Church on these message boards.