In this episode of Beyond the Game, host Mike Lacey sits down with Jeff Strong, a former pitcher and key leader from the historic 1988 BYU baseball team. We dive deep into the records, the camaraderie, and how the "microcosm of sports" prepares us for the biggest challenges in life.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Powerhouse 1988 Squad: How this team led the nation in scoring and home runs, including a 33-run explosion in Colorado.

Legends of the Game: Memories of Mike Willis’s 38 home runs and Peter Kendrick’s incredible double-header performance.

The "Suicide Squeeze": A look back at the daring walk-off play that secured the conference championship against Hawaii.

Brotherhood and Loss: The lasting impact of coaches like Bobby Noel and how a shared athletic struggle creates bonds that last 40 years.

Faith and Growth: Jeff shares insights from his book, Torn, and explains why the religious community should be viewed more like a "gym" for growth rather than a "bomb shelter".

Leadership Lessons: Advice from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on using your judgment and "turning your keys" as a leader.

About Our Guest: Jeff Strong is a former BYU baseball standout and "senior statesman" of the 1988 team. Beyond his athletic career, he has served as a mission president and is the author of Torn, a book exploring faith, community, and personal agency.

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In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Lacey welcomes one of the greatest legends in BYU sports history: Ty Detmer. The 1990 Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback joins the show to reflect on his storied career. From his multi-sport roots in Texas to the iconic 1990 upset of Miami.

Ty opens up about the life of a "coach’s son" and how the mentorship of figures like LaVell Edwards and Norm Chow shaped his own transition into coaching. He also provides a candid look at his time in the NFL, sharing what he learned from coaching rooms that featured greats like Brett Favre, Andy Reid, and Jon Gruden.

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In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Lacey sits down with BYU offensive tackle Ethan Thomas. A highly touted recruit from Fort Collins, Ethan stands 6'8" and 310 lbs, but his journey hasn't been without its trials . After a devastating ACL tear during bowl game practice, Ethan shares the mental and physical hurdles of starting over from scratch.

In this episode, we discuss:

The "Gentle Giant" Origins: How a "baby giraffe" in 7th grade basketball turned a tough-love moment from his father into an elite work ethic.

The Injury That Changed Everything: Ethan walks us through the "GT Counter" play where he felt the dreaded pop and how he handled the immediate aftermath .

The Science of Recovery: A look inside the high-tech rehab world at BYU, from Kaiser hydraulic squats to working with the director of mental performance.

Process vs. Results: Why Ethan believes that focusing on the "thankless" daily work of an offensive lineman is the only way to reach the top of the depth chart.

Family Roots: The influence of his parents—both former NCAA athletes—in helping him navigate the pressures of high-level college football.

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