By Michael Bingham
BYU football players Marcus Whalen and Breyon Jones were suspended by BYU Wednesday, June 2, for violating the Honor Code.
“A review for violations of the Honor Code involving Breyon Jones and Marcus Whalen have concluded, resulting in time away from the university for both students,” said BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins.
As a result of the review by the Honor Code Office, Whalen and Jones were suspended until winter semester 2005, at which time they have the option of reapplying to BYU.
Both Whalen and Jones face criminal charges for allegedly robbing and beating a Provo man April 14. The date established for re-admittance to BYU depends upon the criminal proceedings. The most serious charge of second-degree felony robbery holds a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
It was reported that Whalen intended to finish his collegiate football career at Southern Utah University, a Division I-AA school.
However, due to NCAA rule 15.5.1.3, all transferring athletes are required to be in good standing with their former institution in order to play the following year. The success of Whalen”s transfer hinged upon the outcome of the Honor Code review.
The suspension brings an end to Whalen”s NCAA football career.
“The thing with him is that he is a senior and doesn”t have a redshirt year,” SUU Sports Information Director Neil Gardner said. “He doesn”t have a year to burn, so he would have to go to NAIA if he wanted to play.”
There has been no indication of whether Whalen has considered dropping to an NAIA school to continue playing football.
SUU would not comment directly on the matter concerning Whalen”s suspension, but Gardner said they will continue to be willing and supportive of ex-BYU players looking to play for them.
“We”ve been really happy with the BYU kids we”ve had,” Gardner said. “They”ve been good kids. They come here and have been great students and great players.”
As for Jones, the status of his career at BYU is uncertain.
It had been reported that Jones had interest in transferring to SUU along with Whalen, but Gardner denied that they had ever been contacted by the sophomore wide receiver.
“I don”t even know who he is,” Gardner said.
If Jones decides to wait out his suspension, it is possible that he could wear a Cougar uniform again by the 2005 season, his senior year.
“There haven”t been any team sanctions against him; it has all been based on the Honor Code at this point,” BYU Sports Information Director Jeff Reynolds said. “If he”s able to come back to school, then I am sure that they [the coaching staff] would look at him as far as being able to return to the team as well.”
