This might be a dumb question about BYU

[GoSTATE71]

But do you think the required mission trips are good for their student athletes? I understand its part of their honor code and system and religion, which is totally respectable. However, yesterday they kept talking about how players will play for a year, then go away for 2 years on their mission trips. Wouldn't it be sorta screwy to play as a freshman, then come back two years later. You'd think itd mess with development and make recruiting hard trying to gage when players will be gone and such. Obviously, BYU has been good for awhile now so its not an issue but I'm curious to see if anyone knows more about this and how it affects NCAA rules and such. I dont know, I was completely unaware of that until yesterday to be honest. Are these trips optional or mandatory? Even if your not mormon?

 

[00clone]

Xbox...c'mon man...at least contribute something of value besides a shot at the mormons.

 

[Jordanj6502]

A few points.

The missions can be deferred if someone believes they are not yet ready. I don't know how long they can be deferred. Minimum age is 18, and I believe the most common age is 19, as this used to be the minimum.
Another is the missions are a LDS thing. I don't know about none LDS students at BYU specifically, but every male member in the LDS Church is supposed to participate in missions.
The NCAA has specific rules in place allowing the 2 year missions without counting against a players eligibility. However, I believe, after coming back from missions they are not obligated to return to their original school, and can choose to attend/play sports at any school that will sign them.

There are probably more nuances involved that I don't know about or am forgetting.

As for recruiting and planning scholarships, it is more difficult as the staff is not 100% sure who is leaving and when, not sure who is coming back or the shape they will be in upon returning. They do often have the advantage of older players on their teams though because of missions.

 

[00clone]

A few points.

The missions can be deferred if someone believes they are not yet ready. I don't know how long they can be deferred. Minimum age is 18, and I believe the most common age is 19, as this used to be the minimum.
Another is the missions are a LDS thing. I don't know about none LDS students at BYU specifically, but every male member in the LDS Church is supposed to participate in missions.
The NCAA has specific rules in place allowing the 2 year missions without counting against a players eligibility. However, I believe, after coming back from missions they are not obligated to return to their original school, and can choose to attend/play sports at any school that will sign them.

There are probably more nuances involved that I don't know about or am forgetting.

As for recruiting and planning scholarships, it is more difficult as the staff is not 100% sure who is leaving and when, not sure who is coming back or the shape they will be in upon returning. They do often have the advantage of older players on their teams though because of missions.

The sum total of this post...for the amount I GAF...is that Fred might want to invest in a cheap LDS connected intern to scout some possible transfers?

 

[RollsRoyce]

Xbox...c'mon man...at least contribute something of value besides a shot at the mormons.

He never contributes anything. I don't know why he posts here.

 

[pulse]

They did mention during the broadcast that the minimum age for a mission was 19 and they changed it to 18. This can only help BYU, because they'll have guys whose careers are 20-25.

 

[CycloneNorth]

I definitely think it helps in terms of maturity and in sports like football where having a 24 year old football player is a big difference over having a 21 or 22 year old. Not sure how it effects a more skill oriented sport like basketball.

 

[VeloClone]

They did mention during the broadcast that the minimum age for a mission was 19 and they changed it to 18. This can only help BYU, because they'll have guys whose careers are 20-25.

I think having older players who are there for 4 continuous years is going to do a lot for BYU football.

 

[CoKane]

But do you think the required mission trips are good for their student athletes? I understand its part of their honor code and system and religion, which is totally respectable. However, yesterday they kept talking about how players will play for a year, then go away for 2 years on their mission trips. Wouldn't it be sorta screwy to play as a freshman, then come back two years later. You'd think itd mess with development and make recruiting hard trying to gage when players will be gone and such. Obviously, BYU has been good for awhile now so its not an issue but I'm curious to see if anyone knows more about this and how it affects NCAA rules and such. I dont know, I was completely unaware of that until yesterday to be honest. Are these trips optional or mandatory? Even if your not mormon?

Do they lose 2 years of eligibility when they do that? I wouldn't want to commit there if I only got to play 2 seasons.

 

[MNCyGuy]

I thought they said during the game that the LDS elders had dropped the minimum age of the mission, so now these kids can go do their mission between HS and Freshman year and then play 4 straight.

 

[Doc]

Mika needs to show some serious immaturity, because if they get him back next year along with the rest of their returnees -- Top 15-20 team for sure.

 

[Clonefan32]

I also wondered how that would effect things. So if a guy enrolls at BYU on an athletic scholarship, then leaves for two years, does he remain enrolled in school? How would that play in to the 5 to play 4 rule? Also, surely they can't remain on scholarship during that time, as that would put the roster down to 10 or so guys a year. So are they paying for their mission out of pocket?

I also think it would be a difficult task recruiting-wise to keep straight what scholarships are obligated during which years. However, I think age-wise it may help quite a bit. Having matured players at the peak of their athleticism can't hurt.

 

[Judoka]

The sum total of this post...for the amount I GAF...is that Fred might want to invest in a cheap LDS connected intern to scout some possible transfers?

We actually lost a wrestler to Sanderson and Penn State via that exact method. Guy was here, went on a mission, came back to Penn State.

 

[mitten1975]

I think the idea of doing one year of basketball and then going on a mission trip causes the person to get a taste of basketball or whatever sport, and then have two years of maturity with the added bonus of knowing what he needs to do to excel in his sport. The only disadvantage it would have would be for the pros. I believe the folks that make these rules have no concern whatsoever for the young man's professional career-life, but rather believe BYU is more important, and the young man's involvement in the religion takes precedent over any professional career. I think like any set of rules, there are advantages and disadvantages.

 

[Judoka]

Do they lose 2 years of eligibility when they do that? I wouldn't want to commit there if I only got to play 2 seasons.

There is a special exception to the 5 years to play 4 rule for people who go on missions.

 

[CoKane]

I think the idea of doing one year of basketball and then going on a mission trip causes the person to get a taste of basketball or whatever sport, and then have two years of maturity with the added bonus of knowing what he needs to do to excel in his sport. The only disadvantage it would have would be for the pros. I believe the folks that make these rules have no concern whatsoever for the young man's professional career-life, but rather believe BYU is more important, and the young man's involvement in the religion takes precedent over any professional career. I think like any set of rules, there are advantages and disadvantages.

Not really a slam on BYU, but other then Jimmer, could you name a player that went to the NBA from BYU? BYU is normally good, but they also don't send tons of guys to the draft.

 

[GMackey32]

Not really a slam on BYU, but other then Jimmer, could you name a player that went to the NBA from BYU? BYU is normally good, but they also don't send tons of guys to the draft.

Easy. Shawn Bradley.

 

[simply1]

Not really a slam on BYU, but other then Jimmer, could you name a player that went to the NBA from BYU? BYU is normally good, but they also don't send tons of guys to the draft.

Danny Ainge.

 

[cysox2]

What is a mission? Can someone give me an example or two? I really have no idea. Right now I'm picturing tom cruise hanging from a retractable cable.

 

[aauummm]

Not really a slam on BYU, but other then Jimmer, could you name a player that went to the NBA from BYU? BYU is normally good, but they also don't send tons of guys to the draft.

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