Yesterday, the Bears signed their 7th round supplementary draft pick, Harvey Unga to a 4-year contract. Unga holds his school's career rushing record in just three years and was all-conference 2 out of his 3 years in college. But, when I tell you that Unga was kicked out of school in April of his senior year you might presume that he: A) was involved in some campus sex scandal complete with an array of X-rated videos and rape allegations. B) accepted lavish gifts or cars from one of his 'boys' and committed NCAA violations, or C)robbed a convenient store with his warm-up suit still on like those morons at Tennessee. In today's sports world, it wouldn't be out of the ordinary if any one of the above circumstances were true and in turn you'd probably be thinking, "perfect, you might as well list him in the media guide as Curtis Enis." But Unga's story is a far cry from some thug who thought no one would notice his .27 BAC as he drove from a campus Halloween party. To notice this, it is imperative to understand where Harvey Unga attended college--Brigham Young University.
It's no secret that the rules at BYU are very strict as they perennially come in dead last on the Princeton Reviews "Places to Party List" and are first in the minds of many protective fathers as to where to send their daughter for four years as an 18 year old liberal with a foot tat. BYU's honor code consists of guidelines that must be followed by Brigham Young students in order to maintain in good standing at the University. These include rules against alcohol (no matter what age), drugs, and pre-marital sex. So essentially BYU is the antithesis to most college campuses across the country, especially for athletes. At most schools, big-time athletes embrace the scene of performing well in the weekend game, go to a campus bar where people know who you are, and get blind drunk off the charity of other students (fans) without ever really opening their wallets. This was not so much the case for Harvey Unger.
Growing up in Provo, Utah--the location of BYU, Unger decided he wanted to be a cougar like his dad was in the early 80's. He was a hometown kid, an all-state football player, and seemingly a nice fit into BYU's successful football program. In Unger's first 3 years, he ran through the Mountain West and became first team All-MWC. Later in his Sophomore year, Unger started to date one of the girls on the basketball team and, as most college couples do, started locking their bedroom door. Eventually, Unger had proposed to this girl and she became his fiancee early in his Junior season. Eventually, these two happy cougars became pregnant with their first child. Because of the honor code, Unger's fiancee had to hide her pregnancy like punk bands hide from loose-fitting jeans. I am unsure as to when the Ungers got caught, whether a BYU official sppotted her in a Mimi Maternity outlet store outside Provo, or they just turned themselves in. But both students faced expulsion from the University and were forced to withdraw from the school.
So with the circus that is college athletics swirling around us and the stories of recruiting scandals,drugs, and alcohol becoming increasingly prevalent, Harvey Unger and his pregnant fiancee were virtually expelled from school for endorsing the "Miracle of Life" (I won't link the video they show in Sex Ed. in the 5th grade.) It's not like Unger rushed for 250 yards against Utah, drove to Vegas, picked up a cougar (no pun intended) exotic dancer named Jaydn, bought an expired condom from a vending machine at TGI Fridays, and knocked a girl up--this was his future wife.
Now I'm not condoning premarital sex or promoting it in any way. But, to deny two kids of a college education should warrant a legitimate reason. I understand that BYU has high moral standards and their honor code is taken very seriously. But everyone deserves a second chance, everyone of course except Cade McNown and Tele and Kasper from the movie KIDS. All I'm suggesting is that BYU lighten up a bit, don't turn your back on your star athlete and native son when he needs some help. You can do all that, you have your own television channel.
As for pick of the day, we picked up two parlay wins last night with the pitching performances of Zack Greinke and Gio Gonzalez, thanks Gio. Tonight, The Pulse likes the Red Sox covering the 1.5 spread against the Mariners and Ryan Rowland-Smith (look at this guy, he has to lose. HE'S 1-9!!!) at (-105).
Pick of the Day: Red Sox @ Mariners- REDSOX -1.5 (-105)
Record: (4-4-0)
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