Football: Coach talked about missionary recruiting policy in 2006
The debate over whether BYU recruits players from other programs who are on LDS Church missions -- and whether it is unethical or runs contrary to what BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall has said he will or won't do -- has gone on all week.
You are probably as sick of it as I am.
However, several readers have wondered why, in my initial post about Riley Nelson's transfer to BYU, I mentioned that the situation would "undoubtedly cast some suspicion on BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall's claim last fall that he does not recruit athletes who are on missions."
Several of you have said that I pulled that claim out of thin air. Well, I didn't. I've heard Mendenhall talk about the policy several times, although I haven't been around him nearly as much as other reporters.
When my colleague, Michael C. Lewis, was researching the topic for a story that appeared in Wednesday's Tribune, he found this article that I wrote in October of 2006.
The second half of the overall article -- which was entitled "BYU Notes: Fullback's kin get bonus" -- is about receiver Austin Collie, who was on a church mission at the time. Mendenhall's quotes were taken directly from a taped interview.
Here's the second half of the article that was published Oct. 20, 2006:
Collie's calling
Receiver Austin Collie, the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year in 2004 before leaving on an LDS Church mission to Argentina, is now a recruitable athlete again and is scheduled to return home Jan. 3.
However, Mendenhall said he has no reason to believe Collie won't return to BYU, despite some internet chat room prattle that other Division I-A schools, most notably Oregon, have contacted the native of El Dorado Hills, Calif.
Collie, the younger brother of BYU senior Zac Collie, caught a team-high 53 passes for 771 yards and eight touchdowns in 2004 while being coached by Gary Crowton, now Oregon's offensive coordinator.
"We are recruiting Austin Collie the same way we do all our missionaries - with a letter once a month pertaining to something of the spirit," Mendenhall said. "We stand ready to embrace him as soon as he comes back. . . . From what I understand right now, there is no risk that he won't come back."
Mendenhall said that if there are schools recruiting BYU athletes currently on missions, "it is a shame they don't see the big picture."
The coach said BYU rarely contacts recruitable athletes from other Division I-A programs who are on missions, and only after "strong recommendations from their parents that they have an interest" in BYU.
"We don't go looking for them," he said.
(c) 2006 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.
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You are probably as sick of it as I am.
However, several readers have wondered why, in my initial post about Riley Nelson's transfer to BYU, I mentioned that the situation would "undoubtedly cast some suspicion on BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall's claim last fall that he does not recruit athletes who are on missions."
Several of you have said that I pulled that claim out of thin air. Well, I didn't. I've heard Mendenhall talk about the policy several times, although I haven't been around him nearly as much as other reporters.
When my colleague, Michael C. Lewis, was researching the topic for a story that appeared in Wednesday's Tribune, he found this article that I wrote in October of 2006.
The second half of the overall article -- which was entitled "BYU Notes: Fullback's kin get bonus" -- is about receiver Austin Collie, who was on a church mission at the time. Mendenhall's quotes were taken directly from a taped interview.
Here's the second half of the article that was published Oct. 20, 2006:
Collie's calling
Receiver Austin Collie, the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year in 2004 before leaving on an LDS Church mission to Argentina, is now a recruitable athlete again and is scheduled to return home Jan. 3.
However, Mendenhall said he has no reason to believe Collie won't return to BYU, despite some internet chat room prattle that other Division I-A schools, most notably Oregon, have contacted the native of El Dorado Hills, Calif.
Collie, the younger brother of BYU senior Zac Collie, caught a team-high 53 passes for 771 yards and eight touchdowns in 2004 while being coached by Gary Crowton, now Oregon's offensive coordinator.
"We are recruiting Austin Collie the same way we do all our missionaries - with a letter once a month pertaining to something of the spirit," Mendenhall said. "We stand ready to embrace him as soon as he comes back. . . . From what I understand right now, there is no risk that he won't come back."
Mendenhall said that if there are schools recruiting BYU athletes currently on missions, "it is a shame they don't see the big picture."
The coach said BYU rarely contacts recruitable athletes from other Division I-A programs who are on missions, and only after "strong recommendations from their parents that they have an interest" in BYU.
"We don't go looking for them," he said.
(c) 2006 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.
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11 Comments:
"Pertaining to something of the spirit"
"Embrace him"
WeirdoRama
Ah, vindication! Great work Jay!
What do BYU fans have to say now? We now have proof in black & white of what Bronco said, and what do you know? It's what Ute fans have been saying he said all along.
Bronco said, and I quote, "We don't go looking for them."
Well somebody needs to tell Patrick Higgins and Keith Nelson that. In TWO different radio interviews Keith Nelson, Riley's dad, has said that BYU receivers coach Patrick Higgins asked Riley's high school coach about whether Riley would be interested in transferring to BYU. If that isn't BYU "looking for them," I don't know what is.
Now, Riley probably would have ended up at BYU anyway, but Bronco and BYU have been proven to be hypocrites, which is fine. They just need to stop acting like they are so righteous and virtuous because guess what Cougar fans, Bronco and BYU are no better than anybody else.
The prosecution rests your honor!
Thunder:
I don't see it that way (surprised?). From what was posted Riley's name was brought up in casual conversation between Favero and Higgins. There's no way to determine who started the conversation because Favero won't "own up to it," if you will, and Higgins has kept mum about the conversation. In the course of the conversation Higgins put it out there that IF Nelson was interested in transferring (which he was) the Y would be interested in talking to him. Meaning, the Y didn't actively pursue Nelson like you're saying they did. Or, at least that still cannot be determined until Favero comes out and says for sure that Higgins flat-out asked him about Nelson's availability. Until you can determine who started the conversation (yes, we are splitting hairs here), either Favero or Higgins, you can't say FOR SURE that Bronco and staff are guilty of going against their word.
Definitely splitting hairs there, rood.
For now though, I think it is safe to assume that Riley's dad is telling the truth. What motivation does he have to lie? Maybe the better question is, why won't Favero come out with what really happened? My guess is that it would point the finger at BYU.
Oh well, this story is done. Barring any earth-shattering developments lets move on, cause my boys are goin' to Notre Dame!!!!
Great that Jay found the original statement which confirms what most have believed and have been saying. Bronco does not intend to contact non-BYU missionaries with offers while they serve unless there is a strong indication from the family or missionary that there is an interest in BYU and BYU also has an interest. In the meantime, BYU does have regular contact with its own athletes who are serving. All of this hasn't stopped other programs from pestering missionaries with recruiting attention once the 12 month period has come and gone and the athlete is re-recruitable. I can't believe anyone would see any kind of "vindication" for anyone here. If Jay thinks this then he needs to re-examine the entire issue but I hope he just drops it because it is stupid. Of course Utethunder thinks he is vindicated because his reading comprehension is poor. Let's move on please.
My reading comprehension is so low that I guess it effects you, jim.
What part of, "We don't go looking for them" and, Higgins asked the Logan High coach if Riley was interested, don't you understand? According to ALL of the evidence, Bronco went against what he has said publicly in the past.
Hypocrite defined: a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, especially one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements.
So lets review to make sure jim can 'comprehend' this.
Bronco said "We don't go looking for them" in regard to recruiting missionaries.
Bronco said "it is a shame they don't see the big picture" in relation to other schools that do recruit missionaries.
BYU assistant coach, Patrick Higgins, was RECRUITING in Logan and inquired about Riley Nelson, an active missionary.
Bronco later offered Riley a scholarship.
So, despite what Bronco said PUBLICLY about NOT recruiting missionaries and what he thinks of other schools that do recruit missionaries, he and his program PRIVATELY DID recruit a missionary.
Does that fit the definition of hypocrite? Why yes, yes it does.
Vindication defined: 1.The defense, such as evidence or argument, that serves to justify a claim or deed.
2. The justification for some act or belief.
Did I claim that Bronco is a hypocrite? Yes. Is there evidence that serves to justify my claim? Yes. Do I believe that Bronco is a hypocrite? Yes. Is there justification for my belief? Yes.
There you have it folks. It can't get much simpler than that, and yet I am sure most BYU fans, especially jim, will still insist that Bronco wasn't hypocritical. In general, BYU fans are so stubborn that even in the face of overwhelming evidence they will still try to tell you that they are right and you are wrong.
A.W. and rick rood, you are both exempt from the previous statement as I believe we have come to agree to disagree on the finer points of this.
I love how the Ute conspiracy theorists have "proven" that Bronco is a hypocrite - the same way that Jesse Ventura has "proven" 9/11 was carried out by the United States government.
HA HA, Ute fans are conspiracy lovin' hypocrites. Bronco has NEVER said he won't recruit missionaries. Ute fans are clueless to claim otherwise. Bronco doesn't actively pursue missionaries, but he will pursue them if they have strong interest. What is so hard to get about his comments? His word IS his bond, and the reason the Ute fans have their panties twisted in knots is because they hate how he talks about honor and commitment all while ripping the Utes' hearts out two years running.
Jay Drew is stirring the pot. Anyone with a TBS membership has read COUNTLESS quotes by Bronco that clearly demonstrate he will recruit missionaries when the timing is right, and when the missionary strongly pursues BYU. Nelson obviously wants to be at BYU big time, or an offer wouldn't have come. Don't blame Higgins - blame Nelson. He wanted to transfer schools, and BYU is more than happy to welcome him with open arms, and they didn't go against their word in so doing.
Ute fans (Jay Drew included) will take one small sentence, rather than the overall body of work from Bronco, take it completely out of context, and use it as some sort of evidence to prove a point. I could counter that will 50 quotes or more where he has said he recruits when there is interest by the other party. Don't believe me? Research Brandon Bradley and Malois Te'o and you'll begin to understand that Bronco is the most consistent coach around.
Cry all you want, Ute fans, but you are conspiracy theorists just like all those Jazz fans thinking the refs signed a pact with Stern to get the Lakers past the Jazz. BOO HOO.
Thunder:
Obviously you feel very strong about this topic so no matter what is said you won't change your mind. Still, I have a hard time taking your arguments seriously.
Bronco said he does not usually recruit missionaries unless they have shown interest. I doubt you deny that by now at least Nelson has shown interest.
Your argument seems to rest, laughably so, on classifying the casual conversation between Higgins and the High School Coach as Bronco recruiting. How can you treat this as recruiting?
If a high schooler told me that "I heard from my dad that he heard from my high school coach that he heard from one of the assistants at Florida that they might be interested in offering a scholarship" as evidence that Urban Meyer was "recruiting" him, I would laugh in his face. However, you seem itching, against all reason, to treat this as serious recruiting.
If that is what you need to believe to confirm your beliefs about Bronco then I say, have fun in your own little world.
Now maybe you believe (without evidence) that Bronco specifically sent Higgins to talk to the high school coach with specific instruction that the father be told . If this were the case then you might have a valid argument. However, believing this puts you into the full boar conspiracy nut category.
I'll just finish by saying that it's at least possible that there was deliberate recruiting in this case but since we have no hard evidence to show it, you should just give it up.
P.S. I love your dictionary quotes as an attempt to give your comments gravitas. Hilarious. Not a very good substitute for rational thought however.
I would absolutely love for Jay Drew to make it clear whether he believes the Bronco statement he found provides vindication for something or it if in any way proves that Bronco acted improperly or that Bronco has gone against a previous policy. Tell us Jay so that we can know where you as a journalist stand because your writing is often very suspicious. Until then, my understanding is that Bronco's approach is to contact these kids during the safe period and only when a strong interest has been expressed by the kid or the family. That's what he has said he will do and that is what he has done. His actions are appropriate in every way. Ute fans are obsessed with their recent luck on the field and can't stand to see their rival succeed. That is understandable. I am sure your time will come again. Until then, try to manage your total hatred of anything BYU.
Sorry Utethunder but Drew boy here is an idiot. You are simply reading the quote in your Ute terms so no surprise there but lets look at what old Drew boy said and lest see just how bad he embarrassed himself in his own article. Drewfus said, "undoubtedly cast some suspicion on BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall's claim last fall that he does not recruit athletes who are on missions."
He clearly states in this article in his own words the words DOES NOT RECRUIT. That was his main point. Then he further goes on to say he found a quote that proves him right. That quote is, "The coach said BYU rarely contacts recruitable athletes from other Division I-A programs who are on missions, and only after "strong recommendations from their parents that they have an interest" in BYU"
Now the interesting point in this quote is where it says RARELY CONTACTS. Now I maybe wrong but rarely usually mean that it does happen just not very often. This actually contradicts the DOES NOT statement of old DrewUte. This article only proves that Drew was talking out his back end. Sad thing is he is not even bright enough to realize that his own quote makes him look more like a Ute sheep then validates him. Further more I have heard at least one of those interviews and his father tries to avoid the manipulating questions by the radio host when they are trying to lead him to say what they are looking for. I have read in at east two separate post that Riley's family did initiate conversation through his HC. I am hoping to have some of my people actually get an interview with his father to get the real story because as you can see at this point nobody actually really knows.
Oh latest rumor is this Ute will be asigned Potkeys BYU beat? to the people in charge if this is true STOP right now this embarassing man who dares to call himself a journalist is not the guy for that job if it is true. One, he is a well known and well accepted Utenut so nobody in couagr land will ever take him seriously espcially after having a quality journalist like Potkey come before him. Second he isn't even bright enough to realize he proved himself wrong in his so called quote that was suppose to prove he was right. Basically the guys an idiot whom cougar nation will view as a Ute lover and a poor journalist.
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