The Madness begins

The NCAA tournament field hasn't even been announced yet, and Cinderella has already struck... Or maybe her name was Michelle, or Betty.

Either way, a potential No.1 seed just got derailed thanks to some pretty girl and a Brigham Young forward who was a little too forward.

Brandon Davies torpedoed the greatest season in the history of BYU basketball for violating the school's honor code by having premarital sex, but as bad as some universities have gotten in their quest for a championship, I've got to hand it to the administration of Brigham Young.

March is probably going to end in a big disappointment for the other 11 players on the Cougar basketball team, but the school is doing the right thing.

Of all the schools in the nation, it can be argued that BYU demands more of its student athletes - as well as other students and faculty - than any other institution. There have been cries from some that suspending Davies from the team for something that wasn't illegal is more of a punishment to the team than to him, but this situation should be celebrated as an example of a school that is willing to stand up for its beliefs in the face of losing the unparalleled notoriety of one of its teams as a result of its actions.

At far too many schools, kids are allowed to get away with far greater indiscretions with barely a slap on the wrist. Quarterbacks screaming at coaches and not showing up to summer workouts receive no penalty. Underage drinking is met with a stern warning and maybe sitting out a few plays.

Even when such actions cross the line of youthful exuberance and venture into the realm of outright criminal, there is often far too much leniency shown. I'm all for giving people a break and that kids will be kids, but the light punishments usually seem to be more for the benefit of whatever team the athlete happens to be on than for the actual good of the offender. In actuality, Davies is lucky to even be allowed back in school as any violation of the honor code is grounds for dismissal from the university. By those standards, I guess his immediate and indefinite suspension from the team is BYU's version of trying to go easy on someone.

Everything from premarital sex, to drinking, to consuming caffeine is off limits at BYU and while it may be strict, everyone knows what they're signing up for.

Schools like Duke and Notre Dame might tout their rigorous academic requirements, but that still pales in comparison to the commitment that everyone at BYU must show simply to have an opportunity to be associated with the school.

Faced with the biggest scandal - if you can even call it that - it's had in years, BYU probably could have gotten away with letting Davies slip by. After all, he didn't break any laws and the only reason that anyone even found out about his actions was that he came clean about everything. His remorse could have easily been construed to show that he realizes and respects the rules enough to be given a break, but BYU is bright enough to see the big picture.

Brigham Young has always and likely will always be more about the Mormon faith that governs the school than any successful sports team could ever be. I'm sure that school administrators love seeing the Cougars at No. 3 in the rankings and are excited about Jimmer Fridette and his National Player of the Year campaign, but they also have enough sense to keep their priorities in line despite round-the-clock coverage from ESPN.

I applaud everyone involved with the situation for keeping their hard-line approach. Davies' absence from the team will probably kill the Cougars' title hopes and probably get them knocked out of the tournament a game or two earlier, but nothing will be able to tarnish the good name of BYU.

I feel for Davies' teammates who are going to suffer at his expense and I even feel for Davies since he is enduring grief on a national level for doing something that thousands of other college kids are probably doing right now with no repercussion.

But I also have respect for the rules. All of those players knew what the moral price of admission was to be able to attend their school and BYU should be commended for making it known that the principles that have guided their institution 136 years are superior to a basketball team having a good season.

If a group of guys can compete for a national title with no booze, soda or "extracirricular" activities, more power to them. Just don't try it at BYU because they don't screw around... literally.