Beyond the Game Podcast

NBA Champion Greg Kite: Bird, Jordan, and the Evolution of the Big Man

In this episode of Beyond the Game, host Mike Lacey reconnects with old college friend and BYU legend Greg Kite. From riding motorcycles in Provo to winning championships alongside Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, Greg shares behind-the-scenes stories from the Golden Era of the NBA and BYU’s historic 1981 Elite Eight run. In this episode, we discuss: The BYU Brotherhood: Memories of the training table at the Cannon Center and playing on the same campus as Danny Ainge, Jim McMahon, and Steve Young.   The 1981 Elite Eight: A deep dive into the buzzer-beater win over Notre Dame and the controversial "goaltending" non-call against Ralph Sampson and Virginia .   Life in the Paint: Greg’s role as an "enforcer" and the strategic use of fouls against greats like Bernard King and James Worthy.   The Changing Game: Why Greg prefers watching the college game today and how the "three-point explosion" and analytics have eliminated the mid-range game he grew up with .   Scouting the Future: Greg’s assessment of current BYU stars like AJ Dybantsa and the "premium" need for a dominant center in the modern Big 12 . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Jason Buck: Why the Outland Trophy Trumps the Heisman

Host Mike Lacey sits down with BYU legend Jason Buck. A man of intense passion and strong convictions, Jason shares how he overcame personal hardships and coaching politics to become the best interior lineman in college football and a Super Bowl champion. Choosing BYU Over the Giants: The spiritual prompting that led Jason to cancel his commitment to Texas and sign with BYU after a night of fasting and prayer. Overcoming Coaching Politics: The behind-the-scenes story of how LaVell Edwards overrode a position coach to ensure Jason got his chance to start. The Outland vs. The Heisman: Why Jason argues the Outland Trophy is a better representation of the "swath of football" than the Heisman. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Jeff Strong: BYU Baseball’s Legendary 1988 Season & Lessons Beyond the Diamond

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

Ty Detmer: The Heisman, The Pros, and the Power of Resilience

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

Shauna Rohbock: From the Soccer Pitch to Olympic Bobsledding

In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Lacey sits down with a true BYU legend, Shauna Rohbock. Widely considered one of the greatest athletes to ever wear a Cougar uniform, Shauna’s journey took her from breaking scoring records on the soccer field to standing on the Olympic podium as a silver medalist in the bobsled. Shauna shares the fascinating story of how a world-class soccer player found herself hurtling down an ice track at 90 miles per hour and why the "nervousness" of bobsled practice is unlike anything else in sports. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].