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.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Lacey sits down with renowned broadcaster and play-by-play announcer Pete Souza. Pete brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective on the "holiday" that is March Madness.

The conversation dives deep into the heart of the NCAA tournament, the shifting landscape of college athletics, and why BYU’s entry into the Big 12 has fundamentally changed the game for the Cougars.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Magic of March: Pete reflects on growing up near Villanova and how the tournament taught him that "anything is possible" in sports and in life.

Cinderella and the NIL Era: Can the "little guys" still compete? Pete and Mike discuss how the transfer portal and NIL are reshaping the underdog narrative.

The Big 12 Powerhouse: Why the Big 12 is currently the "second best league in the country" and what it means for BYU to finally have a seat at the table.

The Marriott Center Experience: Pete shares his firsthand account of broadcasting from Provo and why the energy in the building is truly "special".

A New Chapter for BYU Basketball: Comparing the coaching styles of Mark Pope and Kevin Young, and why the program is perfectly positioned for the future.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After a year of grueling rehab, BYU soccer star Ellie Walbruch is back on the pitch and playing with more joy than ever. In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Lacey and Ellie dive into the incredible "underdog" story of the BYU women’s soccer team and their unforgettable run through the Big 12.

From the "infamous pop" of an ACL injury to the pure adrenaline of silencing a home crowd as an 8th seed, Ellie shares the lessons in confidence and resilience she learned along the way.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Lacey catches up with his former BYU roommate and 13-year NBA veteran Fred Roberts. One of the true greats from BYU’s past, Fred’s career spanned eras from Danny Ainge to Mike Smith before he embarked on a prolific pro journey with teams like the Celtics, Bucks, and Bucks .

The conversation begins with a candid look at a difficult week for the BYU community, marked by the passing of Patty Edwards, Richie Saunders' injury, and the departure of Parker Kingston, before diving into the humor and history of Fred’s basketball life .

In this episode, we discuss:

The Journeyman Life: What it really looks like to play 13 years at the highest level, moving across eight different NBA cities.

NBA Icons: Fred shares what it was like to be "clobbered" by Dr. J (Julius Erving) during a dunk attempt and the lessons learned from facing the league's most aggressive stars .

A Roommate Reunion: Hilarious stories from Mike and Fred’s days at BYU, including a memorable (and embarrassing) duet on a player piano at the Wilkinson Center .

Life Beyond the Pros: How Fred has transitioned from the spotlight of the NBA to finding fulfillment in family and personal growth.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Lacey is joined by BYU guard Dawson Baker. Known for his lethal three-point shooting and ability to penetrate defenses, Dawson has faced a challenging road marked by injury and a transition from UC Irvine to the Big 12 stage. Dawson opens up about the mental toll of being sidelined, his transformative mission to Micronesia, and the mature perspective he brings to his future in Provo.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Injury Struggle: Dawson shares the "worst thing about sports", watching opportunities pass by from the bench, and how he’s shifting his mindset to prepare for what's next.

Lessons from Micronesia: A deep dive into Dawson’s mission experience, from sleeping on floors and eating fish and rice to learning that "there are blessings on the other side of hard".

The "Refiner’s Fire": What it was really like returning to college basketball after two years away, including the physical "fire" of working back into shape during Covid.

Changing the Shot: The surprising story of how Dawson completely rebuilt his shooting form after his mission, leading to a standout freshman year at UC Irvine.

NIL & Mature Decisions: Dawson discusses the impact of NIL on modern college athletes and how he’s marinating on his decision to return for another year.

Big 12 Atmosphere: Mike breaks down the impressive Big 12 football attendance numbers and reflects on how the BYU stadium environment has evolved since his playing days in the 1980s

Plus, Mike shares a personal connection to Dawson’s injury journey, reflecting on his own ACL tear and the difficulty of watching from the sidelines.

#byubasketball #byucougars #collegebasketball

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Lacey sits down with 10-year NBA veteran and Kansas Jayhawk legend Greg Dreiling. From playing behind 7’4” Rick Smits to his time with the Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers, Greg shares what it was really like to navigate a decade at the highest level of professional basketball.

Greg opens up about the "Fireman" mentality required to survive in the league, the legendary competitive spirit of Reggie Miller, and his deep roots in the game that continue today.

In this episode, we discuss:

The "Fireman" Mentality: Greg describes his role as an NBA pro—always being ready to "jump down the pole" and step up whenever a teammate was injured or the team needed a spark .

Inside the Indiana Pacers: What it was like playing behind Rick Smits and sharing the court with the legendary Reggie Miller.

Reggie Miller Stories: Greg reflects on Reggie’s incredible loyalty to Indiana and the "ice in his veins" that allowed him to keep shooting, even after a 1-for-11 first half .

Jayhawk Pride: Greg’s thoughts on the current Kansas team, their recent victory over #1 Arizona, and his memories of the legendary battles at Iowa State .

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.