Beyond the Game Podcast

Host Mike Lacey sits down with ESPN play-by-play broadcaster Pete Sousa for an candid, wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond the scoreboard.

Pete breaks down his behind-the-scenes experiences broadcasting at LaVell Edwards Stadium, the legendary story of LaVell Edwards' late-season voice memo to Kalani Sitake, internal administrative dynamics, and why BYU’s culture sets it apart in modern college football. The two also dive into the chaotic Big 12 landscape, major non-conference statement wins, Auburn’s neutral-site scheduling against Baylor, and why early-season football often looks so discombobulated.

Beyond the game, Pete opens up about his personal journey—sharing insights on his battle with addiction and recovery, how a career-ending heart condition redirected his life path, the perspective gained from getting married, and why "life is a locker room."

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Mike sits down for this episode of Beyond the Game with Rogue Media producer and former ESPN Radio host Zach Burke. In this far-reaching discussion, Mike and Zach break down the deep emotional connection fans have with college football, how team sports mirror real-life lessons, and why every single person has a story worth telling. Zach recounts the unforgettable night Robert Griffin III (RG3) won the Heisman Trophy. He shares emotional memories of calling his father after that moment. He dives into the night RG3 led Baylor to a historic victory over Oklahoma and why the "chip on the shoulder" mentality creates an undeniable bond between fanbases like Baylor and BYU. Plus, the two dive into a friendly debate over Pete Sousa's recent college football takes, analyze Baylor’s nail-biting season opener against Auburn, and share a powerful message on maintaining belief in yourself when the doubters speak the loudest.

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In this episode of Beyond the Game, host Mike Lacy sits down with former BYU defensive back, NFL veteran, and current author and pastor Dr. Derwin Gray. Growing up under the Friday Night Lights of Texas, Derwin admits that football wasn't just a sport—it was a god he actively worshipped for identity, worth, and love.

From his recruitment to Provo by LaVell Edwards to a life-altering transformation in an NFL training camp dorm room, Dr. Gray shares a vulnerable and inspiring look at stepping away from the idolatry of performance and stepping into unconditional grace. He also tackles the heavy realities of emotional trauma, why he rejects the term "colorblind" in favor of "color blessed," and his enduring love for his alma mater as the university's 2026 Distinguished Alumni of the Year.

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In this episode of Beyond the Game, host Mike Lacy catches up with former BYU quarterback, NFL alumnus, and collegiate coach Brandon Doman. Known as the ultimate "bridge" quarterback, Brandon looks back on navigating the historic transition from legendary coach LaVell Edwards to Gary Crowton and how a kid buried on the depth chart eventually led the Cougars to a breathtaking 12-0 start in 2001.

Brandon shares the vulnerable, raw story of almost walking away from BYU, the rule-bending road trip to a rival school, and how a hard-nosed negotiation with LaVell Edwards changed the trajectory of his life. He also drops a fascinating piece of football history, explaining how a unique mix of talent forced BYU to accidentally architect the modern shotgun read-option offense decades before it took over the NFL.

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In this episode of Beyond the Game, host Mike Lacy sits down with former BYU football player, academic All-American, and Oxford PhD Doctor Timothy 1Clark. Tim breaks down the ultimate sports paradox: how a bruising 1980s defensive end transitioned into a global thought leader on organizational culture and leadership.

Using the historic, national championship-winning run of the Indiana Hoosiers as a prime case study, Tim deconstructs how true team performance is built. They dive deep into why talent density is a flawed metric, how leaders can shift behavioral norms in a matter of days, and what it truly means to foster psychological safety in high-stakes environments.

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In this episode of Beyond the Game, host Mike Lacey reconnects with BYU basketball favorite Dalton Nixon. Dalton opens up about the extreme highs and lows of his basketball career—from the devastating heartbreak of how his high school career ended, to the bittersweet realities of playing for one of the greatest BYU squads in history that never got to compete in the NCAA tournament.

Now active in the coaching space, Dalton breaks down what it takes to survive the mental roller coaster of elite sports, the advice he has for freshmen stepping onto campus today, and how to stay anchored when the game doesn't go your way .

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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 .

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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.

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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.

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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.

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