To Play or Not To Play

A Letter to the Editor in Response to the Words of Michelle Peralta on Jimmer Fredette:
Let me begin by stating that I am aware of the phenomenon to which Mrs. Peralta alluded in her recent letter (of which “controversial” would be a shocking understatement). BYU Basketball, with a special emphasis on its most honored player, is one of the more significant issues on campus right now. As I write this, students are doubtless waiting in tents near the Marriot Center, or simply gearing up to “scream their brains out” at the game tomorrow. I hope to do some screaming myself, however, I will admit that I find those who dwell in tents to be slightly disconcerting. A friend commented that their excess of zeal made life difficult for those of us who, while desirous of joining in the fun, felt the need to do homework occasionally. I agreed.
However, Mrs. Peralta’s letter was not a commentary on excessive zeal. In fact, in spite of the recent hype, it did not even seem to be about Jimmer Fredette. As far as I can tell, her vitriol was aimed squarely at those who, like myself, find simple, perhaps even sub-intellectual, joy in a battle of skill at the Y. She asserts that those students who choose to spend their time watching basketball games on TV, waiting in line at the Marriot Center, relieving stress with a hearty “Ra, Ra, Ra-Ra-Ra!,” or high-fiving a friend over “last night’s game,” are the culprits. In short, she is not asking for moderation or even wishing that the current system of ticket-distribution were more conducive to a well-rounded life; she is promoting her own choice of lifestyle at the expense of one embraced by many BYU students.
Ms. Peralta has stated in other letters that her preferences tend toward the arts. The argument has been put forth that her preference for less sweat-inducing entertainments contribute to her disinclination for basketball. In general,though, BYU takes its “arts” quite seriously. Groups travel all over the world, representing BYU through dance and music. There are many wonderful events to attend on campus in honor of these things. The students themselves are very supportive of this. “Cinderella,” showing on the same weekend as “the big game,” has been sold out for some time now. Many other premier arts events have received the same response. The dance classes at BYU have more students from all over campus than any other department. I attend an organ class with 13 other students: there are only 12 organs in the organ lab. There is also no reason to suppose that arts and BYU basketball, badminton and even Jimmer Fredette, are mutually incompatible. At BYU, we are urged to seek a balanced life and education, to enjoy the best that we can find in whatever sphere our interests or circumstances may take us.
Finally, BYU students have a wonderful diversity of opinion, but most of us share a number of values. Most of us are doing our best to gain a good, rich, varied education and live our lives in accordance with the Gospel. We seek to apply the scriptures to our lives, however, taking small scriptural incidents out of context and using them to condemn the lifestyle choices of others is inappropriate. Mrs. Peralta is free to live as she chooses, but unless she feels actual enmity from basketball fans, she must allow others the same privilege. For more information, see http://magazine.byu.edu/?act=view&a=1964