Summarized by Rosemary Pollock
Honor Code Doesn't Stop Non-Mormons From Signing at BYU
Salt Lake Tribune 2Feb00 S3
By Michael C. Lewis: Salt Lake Tribune
PROVO, UTAH -- In spite of violations to the Brigham Young University
Honor Code, that forced 10 football players in the last three years to
give up their place on the Cougar team, dozens of prep and
junior-college players are proving that the pipeline of non-Mormons to
BYU has not dried up. Talented African-American, non-Mormons are intent
on joining the Cougars and living up to the tough standards of the BYU
Honor Code.
Even running back, Isiah Joiner from Texas, who is the father of two
children and soon to be divorced, is willing to give it a try. "The
Sealy High School senior told coaches Tuesday that he will sign today.
"That's going to hit me pretty hard." "The rules they follow are the
rules I follow in my everyday life," said Brian McDonald, a running back
from Cerritos Junior College in California. "I felt like I could go
there and not be tempted by all of the outside things."
Cornerback Danny Phillips of Cerritos Junior College said that he along
with Joiner, will likely start next season. The same goes for
cornerback Derrus Wilson of Blinn Junior College and cornerback Bobby
Hart of Waco High School, both of Texas. Phillips and McDonald said
they are better able to cope with the Honor Code because they knew
former BYU cornerback Heshimu Robertson, who attended the same junior
college. Robertson was suspended for the 1998 Liberty Bowl and the
subsequent spring semester.
"It scared me at first, with me and (Robertson) being from the same
school and the same area, thinking I might go up there and make the same
mistakes that he did," Phillips said. "But I think I learned from his
mistakes." After talking with Robertson, Phillips and McDonald said, "He
was like, 'No, that was my fault.'" "He knew he didn't abide by the
rules and he said as long as you do what you're supposed to do and
concentrate on football, you will be all right."
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