I love the focus of Y's podcast with Elder Clark Gilbert (who famously brought math into general conference!) about the "BYU Way" of navigating the mission of BYU to focus on discipleship, faith, and the complete individual, while also producing remarkable results on the playing field/court. I love how BYU tries to demonstrate its commitment by using talented students to produce stories that matter to other schools, playing their fight song, handing out ice cream to visitors, and organizing service projects at away games. Elder Gilbert describes in the Y's guys podcast the importance of fit with each student, student athlete, faculty, and I daresay, supporter. In my own words, I think we see other universities doing many things and think, "oh boy, we have to do that or we are doomed!" not realizing there is may be a much more powerful, differentiated way to succeed. In all the population of well-prepared student athletes, Gilbert posits, there are undoubtedly different levels of student, athlete and faculty fit with BYU. 

In my own words or way of explaining it:

Abide. Some students and athletes come and agree to "abide" the standards, so they may be a "good" fit but may have trouble hanging on and not always feel great about being at BYU but perhaps grudingly "keep the rules."

Align. The "better" fit individuals may be others who choose BYU and "align" with the culture and feel very comfortable here, or choose to significantly adjust their lives in meaningful ways they appreciate. 

Amplify. The "best" fit student athletes seem to be those who want to come and "support of or contributing to" the mission of BYU and its purpose in providing a differentiated experience in higher education. They just love it, get it, and unabashedly embrace it. They come to help make it better. 

This isn't a precise spectrum, but it certainly seems familiar with the way that I consider individuals seeking employment with one of my teams. You want the right fit. Any CEO, President, Coach, will tell you the same. 

Let's be really clear here, BYU and frankly most other teams won't succeed by simply becoming a pay for play sports program. It's unsustainable and doesn't drive results. Look at all the failed models over time that have just focused on star ratings of athletes, big name coaches, now NIL payroll, etc. and they never meet expectations. Why? Because successful organizations involve human beings who are natively wired to seek a higher purpose, and when selfishness, pride and greed become the central purpose, unity and harmony are impossible. For years the Yankees boasted the highest payroll, and underperformed expectations. They lost their top spot in the mid-2010s and they are now in the world series for the first time since 2009.  University of Kentucky culture of "one and done" (which is far rarer than many on CB seem to assume) consistently underperformed expectations. Hence, Calipari is now at Arkansas. 

The most important aspect of organizational success is what unites and harmonizes individuals to do their best. At BYU, there is a different way of organizing for success than at other schools that will include attracting the right student athletes, many of whom will be paid for the contribution they make to delighting fans, attracting sponsorships, and generating athletic department and surrounding business revenue. But for student athletes who are the "best" fit, payment will only be one of the factors, not the only factor — as it should be. The best teams and organizations assemble the talent that amplify its purpose and focus. 

Think about it in your own life, how many of you have taken roles, or chosen to live in a specific place, or pursued an opportunity or educational program solely for economic impact? Did you have other factors included in your decision? Did those factors include organizational culture, neighborhood, family needs, stepping stone to other prospective opportunities. We seem to think that these student athletes are only for the money. Some, maybe, but they aren't the right fit and likely won't foster a solid team environment. Let's give these young people some credit, shall we, that they are intelligent beings with a divine spark. Many gravitate to causes and purposes beyond themselves, and I submit all are capable of it. 

I love in his recent interview with Rich Eisen where Jake Retzlaff described his gratitude for being at BYU where he has learned to live his faith better by being around students who are trying to become better, and where he, can, "keep the main thing the main thing," and not be distracted. Kevin Young has doubled down on the mission of BYU where a high level student athlete understands our faith-based mission, want to come to amplify it, and to avoid distractions so they can really achieve the goals they've worked so hard to reach. I understand Kanon Catchings didn't come to BYU despite its focus on faith and individual development, but because of it. I love how Kalani has unyieldingly focused on faith and discipleship among young men who happen to be football players. It acknowledges a deeper identity in them that stretches far beyond this moment and I would submit will lead to longer term, consistent, resilient success than a pay-for-play, one-and-done, mercenary culture. 

As BYU fans, we certainly don't need to be sanctimonious about our mission, nor should we be defensive about or embarassed by it. We also shouldn't, as Elder Gilbert so beautifully put, become like the people in 1 Samuel, who yearn to be like everyone else. We can be rabidly enthusiastic fans (I certainly am) — while also be stolidly supportive of BYU's commitment to be dignified in its approach, to be focused on the whole individual, and to seek those who amplify the mission and purpose of the university — which includes excellence in the classroom, lab and field of play. 

That's my take. Yours?