Of the approximate 25,000 students here at BYU, perhaps you've noticed a young man sporting a bright red U of U coat. Maybe you're thinking, 'Why would anyone in his right mind do such a foolish thing?' Is it to be contrary, to get a reaction? Is he even a BYU student? If so, why is he wearing that treacherous U of U jacket?
Well, I'm the guy who wears the jacket, and the answer is simple: My Utes' coat is a wonderfully warm contrast to the cold weather. So, why not wear something else? For the same reason college students eat Top Ramen and Easy Mac. I sometimes wonder, though, if the money I save by not buying a new coat is worth the inconvenience it causes me.
I'm a transfer student from Dixie State College. Before I decided to go to BYU, my father gave me a U of U coat. As I was moving up to Provo, I thought it wise not to wear it on campus. As the temperature has dropped, however, so has my previous resolution.
At first, wearing 'Big Red' didn't pose any major problems for me. A few people said in a sweet, sarcastic tone, 'Nice coat.' And I received some strange looks, as though I had 'Choose the Red' tattooed on my forehead. Even though the staring can be a bit awkward, I haven't been overly concerned about it.
Recently, however, some students have been boldly overt in voicing their displeasure toward my choice of winter apparel. Last week as I entered the Wilkinson Center and walked passed the club kiosks, someone sitting behind his table yelled out some, 'The Utes !' Then, perhaps to demonstrate his extensive vocabulary, he repeated himself word-for-word.
A similar incident occurred as I was entering the JFSB when a bad tempered student ordered me to, 'Take that jacket off!' This time I wasn't feeling very patient, so I told him to mind his own business. He brilliantly retorted by repeating himself verbatim and then added a much more insulting remark than the first. I'm sure his parents would be proud of his refined gifts of expression.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not a Utes fan. In fact, I was thrilled when BYU won the big football game in Salt Lake, but even if I did prefer the U, would it really matter? While discussing the subject with a friend, I learned of a student who transferred here from the U and brought her old allegiances with her. She decorated her apartment like a true Utes' fan (this was two seasons ago), and after we lost against the U, some disgruntled BYU students vandalized her apartment.
Such behavior is unacceptable, especially for BYU students who, regardless of their religious affiliations, are expected to live the principles of the BYU Honor Code: 'All who represent BYU...are to maintain the highest standards of honor, integrity, morality, and consideration of others in personal behavior.' In other words, we are to 'respect others.' While it's true that dress and grooming standards are an important part of the Honor Code, the more important points of Christlike conduct are often neglected. Being clean-shaven and dressing modestly is good, but going no further than outside appearances is reminiscent of whitewashed sepulchers full of filthy bones (Matt. 23: 27).
Despite the minor pitfalls, transferring to BYU from Dixie has been a great experience for me. Yet I'm disappointed that school pride is taken to such extreme measures, even though we are taught to avoid having 'any manner of -ites,' and be 'one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God' (4 Nephi 1: 17). And it's surprising and ironic that some BYU students have bitter feelings for the university that has educated nearly half of the current Twelve Apostles and all of the members of the First Presidency.
Then again, maybe I'm just being selfish by wearing my Utes jacket. Perhaps the righteous thing to do is to tough out the cold weather and stop wearing red until I turn blue.
Derk Olthof is a junior from St. George studying English.