Mormon Athletes Testify

[_xolotl]

One more thing ttribe:

It has been my experience that LDS athletes do indeed "exercise" while on their mission. Their coaches demand it, allowances are made for it, and it is expected. Maybe not in every single case, but often enough to give one pause when this does not occur.

Not true. Exceptions are not made so that an LDS athlete can exercise. All missionaries are permitted 30 minutes a day of exercise time which occurs in the morning. If they want to wake up earlier than 6:30 they can do that and exercise a little longer so long as their companion is willing. They also have a preparation day where they have a decent amount of free time where they can do w/e, but that is one day a week.

Regardless of whether the missionary is on a scholarship or not, they are bound by the same rules. Having served a mission with a high volume of LDS athletes on scholarships, they had no special exceptions nor did the other 4 surrounding missions. Not only that, but the general authority overseeing the entire region of missions made it clear that no missionaries regardless of previous backgrounds be permitted extra time to practice past professions, talents, or hobbies etc out of the allotted free time. Whatever information you were privy to was the exception, but not a normal occurrence.

[_Hoops]

No, it's just that we have already had that conversation.

I was teasing you.

And, sorry, I don't remember the conversation but I'll try and remember what you do. Can't make any promises - and given that I want to strangle my accountant, I can't promise that if I do remember it won't come out with some vitriol.

[_Hoops]

Whatever information you were privy to was the exception, but not a normal occurrence.

That could be. My experience was with a dozen or so missionaries. At the time, I never gave it a second thought as I couldn't tell an LDS from a cpa.

Regardless, my point remains. Please address that.

[_ttribe]

I was teasing you.

And, sorry, I don't remember the conversation but I'll try and remember what you do. Can't make any promises - and given that I want to strangle my accountant, I can't promise that if I do remember it won't come out with some vitriol.

Fortunately, I'm not a tax accountant.

[_ttribe]

It would seem that BYU's position is that missions are important, but not important enough to lose football games.

Really it would seem that your beef is with the NCAA for making the accommodation at all because, were the current rule not in place, BYU would be making the exact sacrifice you so desperately wish for. Would that be more "fair" in your mind?

[_Hoops]

It would seem that BYU's position is that missions are important, but not important enough to lose football games.

Really it would seem that your beef is with the NCAA for making the accommodation at all because, were the current rule not in place, BYU would be making the exact sacrifice you so desperately wish for. Would that be more "fair" in your mind?

The rule was in place. BYU petitioned the NCAA for the exemption - citing religious discrimination, etc. playing the ever popular lawsuit card with a side salad of religious discrimination followed by your choice from the dessert (sp?) cart of everyone's against us persecution pie or gettin' yer as@ kicked every saturday cake.

Hence the negotiations the occured regarding BYU admissions.

Which brings us clear around to the original question. If LDS missions are so critical, why did the BYU petition the NCAA for an exmption that practically only applies to them? why should BYU request that the other NCAA participants be put at a disadvantage?

Again, it seems that missions are only important insofar as they don't impact athletic events.

[_ttribe]

Which brings us clear around to the original question. If LDS missions are so critical, why did the BYU petition the NCAA for an exmption that practically only applies to them? why should BYU request that the other NCAA participants be put at a disadvantage?

Seriously, take it up with the NCAA. If it's really that much of a disadvantage, surely you'll be able to find a way around the First Amendment. In the meantime, you might want to do a better job of coming up with actual evidence of a disadvantage instead of this theoretical one you keep leaning on. Until BYU is even getting a sniff of the type of success you'd think this "advantage" allows, your evidence will be sorely lacking.

Again, it seems that missions are only important insofar as they don't impact athletic events.

And again, you're full of crap, but then some things never change. I don't know why I have to keep saying this - if the NCAA rule changed back (i.e. no exemption), LDS student athletes would STILL go on missions.

[_Hoops]

Seriously, take it up with the NCAA. If it's really that much of a disadvantage, surely you'll be able to find a way around the First Amendment.

First amendment? Seriously? The rest of the NCAA must support your religous practices to satisfy first amendment requirements? Please.

In the meantime, you might want to do a better job of coming up with actual evidence of a disadvantage instead of this theoretical one you keep leaning on.

The evidence is quite clear. LDS athletes have the advantage of competing when their minds and bodies are more mature. No matter how much training an athlete does, there is still an advantage to the 26 year old athlete versus the 22 year old athlete. There is no dispute here.

Until BYU is even getting a sniff of the type of success you'd think this "advantage" allows, your evidence will be sorely lacking.

Your logic is faulty, in your zeal to defend BYU at its expense. the individual BYU athlete who has the opportunity to train a more mature body has an advantage.

And again, you're full of crap, but then some things never change. I don't know why I have to keep saying this - if the NCAA rule changed back (i.e. no exemption), LDS student athletes would STILL go on missions.

YOU (meaning BYU) asked for the exemption. YOU made the appeal. YOU threatened the lawsuit. YOU wanted the rule changed. YOU were able to leave things as they were - i.e. LDS athletes would lose two years of eligibility due to their missions. YOU chose not to. And YOU would lose millions in football/basketball revenue.

But let's examine how this might work. Let's say the NCAA decreed tomorrow that no more religous exemptions will be allowed. What do you suppose BYU will do? Sit there? not cry persecution? not cry foul? Please. The end is coming, the saints are on the run... and on and on.

But none of that is the point. It is your hypocrisy. You claim that missions are a sacred, holy work - and maybe it is - but it's not so holy and sacred that you would lose football games (and the revenue) to perform it. Because, again, that's exactly what was happening until YOU made the petition for you specific allowance.

[_ttribe]

But none of that is the point. It is your hypocrisy. You claim that missions are a sacred, holy work - and maybe it is - but it's not so holy and sacred that you would lose football games (and the revenue) to perform it. Because, again, that's exactly what was happening until YOU made the petition for you specific allowance.

Then complain to the NCAA. Make a case of it.

[_Hoops]

But none of that is the point. It is your hypocrisy. You claim that missions are a sacred, holy work - and maybe it is - but it's not so holy and sacred that you would lose football games (and the revenue) to perform it. Because, again, that's exactly what was happening until YOU made the petition for you specific allowance.

Then complain to the NCAA. Make a case of it.

The NCAA has no purview over your hypocrisy. Only you do.