Get ready for a heartwarming episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with Layne Batty, father of BYU defensive end Tyler Batty. From his authentic ranching lifestyle to the devastating early morning accident that nearly ended Tyler's football career, Layne shares intimate details of his son's remarkable journey back to the field.

The conversation reveals the powerful story behind Edwards Hands (https://edwardshands.org/), a nonprofit organization providing equine therapy for special needs individuals, inspired by Coach Ed Lamb's son Edward. Through personal stories of determination, faith, and the healing power of horses, Lane illustrates how maintaining authenticity and dedication to service creates lasting impact in the community. He also offers unique perspective on BYU's current football season and the transformative effects of NIL on student-athletes.

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Get ready for an exciting episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with Greg Wrubell, the beloved "Voice of the Cougars." From his early days as a Canadian student arriving at BYU in 1984 to becoming one of college sports' most respected broadcasters, Greg's journey showcases the evolution of BYU athletics across four different conferences. The conversation reveals fascinating insights into sports broadcasting, including Greg's "Three P's" philosophy of Passion, Preparation, and Presentation, his meticulous pre-game preparation routines, and the challenges of memorizing entire football rosters weekly.

Greg shares how he transitioned from student reporter to sideline reporter under legendary broadcaster Paul James, before taking over as the lead voice for both football and basketball. Through personal stories of working with coaching icons like LaVell Edwards, Greg illustrates how maintaining authenticity and dedication to craft creates lasting connections with fans across generations. He also offers unique perspective on BYU's transition to the Big 12 Conference and the evolving landscape of college athletics.

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Join us for a special Christmas devotional episode of Beyond the Game where host Mike Lacey and his wife Diana share their heartfelt holiday message and explore a fascinating scriptural connection.

Through a unique perspective bridging the Book of Mormon and Biblical accounts, they examine an intriguing possibility about the identity of the wise men who followed the star to Bethlehem. This thoughtful discussion weaves together prophecies from two continents, offering a fresh look at the traditional Christmas story while maintaining deep respect for diverse faith traditions.

As we share this special perspective on the Christmas story, we hope it brings added meaning to your holiday season. From all of us at Beyond the Game to you and yours, Merry Christmas!

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Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey welcomes Mel Farr, a beloved figure from BYU football's golden era. From his start as an equipment manager in 1977 to his pivotal role in the legendary 1980 Holiday Bowl, Mel's journey exemplifies the heart and spirit of BYU athletics!

Standing at just 5'4", Mel earned the respect of players like Jim McMahon through his unwavering determination and ability to stand up for himself. The conversation reveals compelling behind-the-scenes stories, including Mel's famous phone book-tearing tradition that became a team ritual, his iconic leap onto LaVell Edwards after the Miracle Bowl victory, and how his "never give up" mantra inspired one of college football's greatest comebacks.

Through stories of working with legendary figures like Floyd Johnson and the 1980 championship team, Mel illustrates how size and physical limitations never defined his impact on BYU football. His story has captured such attention that a screenplay about the 1980 Miracle Bowl, told through Mel's perspective, is currently in production. Drawing from his experiences managing equipment for stars like Jim McMahon and Clay Brown, Mel opens up about the special brotherhood of BYU football and how choosing to persist through challenges creates lasting impact beyond the game itself.

Vai Sikahema's article on Mel Farr: https://www.deseret.com/2019/8/05/20247856/vai-s-view-vai-s-view-story-of-team-manager-mel-farr-miracle-behind-byu-s-miracle-bowl/

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Get ready for an exciting episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with Val Hale, former BYU Athletic Director and author of the newly released book "Out of the Blue." From his early days as an intern in the sports information office during Jim McMahon's junior year to his transformative tenure as Athletic Director from 1999-2004, Val's journey showcases the evolution of BYU athletics from "plain vanilla" to a modern powerhouse.

The conversation reveals fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, including BYU's pursuit of Andy Reid as head football coach, the controversial "bibs" uniform experiment, and the strategic shift from royal to navy blue that revolutionized BYU's merchandise sales. Val shares how he helped oversee major facility developments including Miller Park, the Student Athlete Building, and the Indoor Practice Facility, while navigating the complex intersection of faith, academics, and big-time college athletics.

Drawing from his recently published memoir, Val opens up about the abrupt end to his BYU career and how choosing to be "better not bitter" opened doors to new opportunities, including roles as UVU Vice President and head of Utah's Office of Economic Development. Through stories of working with legendary figures like LaVell Edwards and Floyd Johnson, Val illustrates how maintaining perspective and positive relationships - even through challenging transitions - creates lasting impact beyond wins and losses.

Purchase Val's book "Out of the Blue" at: https://www.outofthebyublue.com/

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Get ready for an exciting episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with NFL Super Bowl champion head coach Brian Billick. From BYU tight end to engineering the Baltimore Ravens' first Super Bowl victory, Brian's journey showcases the power of teaching and mentorship in football.

The conversation explores his unique path through coaching, including pivotal moments learning from legends like Bill Walsh, Doug Scovil, and Denny Green. Brian shares fascinating insights about being part of both the NFL's highest-scoring offense with the 1998 Minnesota Vikings and the record-setting 2000 Ravens defense that allowed just 9 points per game - a record he believes will never be broken.

Drawing from his experiences writing Bill Walsh's legacy book "Finding the Winning Edge," Brian discusses how precise teaching and attention to detail, rather than just play-calling genius, create championship cultures. He reflects on the evolution of his coaching philosophy, from early lessons about work-life balance under Denny Green to his own approach emphasizing teaching fundamentals.

The conversation touches on his time at BYU, his transition through various coaching roles, and how mentors shaped his understanding of leadership. Through stories of quarterback development, defensive dominance, and organizational building, Brian illustrates how focused teaching and strong relationships form the foundation for sustained success!

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Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young. From eighth-string at BYU to Super Bowl MVP with the 49ers, Steve's journey exemplifies what he calls "the law of abundance" - choosing relationship-building over transactional living in both football and life.

The conversation centers on pivotal moments that shaped his perspective, including a powerful story about 49ers teammate Ronnie Lott responding to team conflict with unconditional support rather than confrontation. Steve shares how coaches like LaVell Edwards and Bill Walsh created cultures of fearless innovation and trust, while transforming potential breaking points into breakthrough moments.

Drawing from his recent book and life experiences, Steve connects his football journey to deeper principles about persistence and faith. He discusses how the same abundance mindset that helped him navigate from BYU's bench to NFL stardom now guides his approach to marriage, parenting, and mentoring current BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff.

Through stories of quarterback development, team dynamics, and personal growth, Steve illustrates how choosing abundance over transaction - whether on the field or in life - creates opportunities for lasting success and meaningful impact!

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Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with BYU basketball legend Scott Runia. When two apostles showed up at his Salt Lake City home to recruit him to BYU instead of his dream school Utah, it changed not just his basketball career but his entire life's trajectory.

Known for shooting 500 shots every day except Sundays, Scott's pure shooting touch and quiet competitiveness helped define BYU's golden era alongside Danny Ainge. His recruiting host role even included a memorable snowball incident that nearly derailed Ainge's commitment to BYU. Together with teammates like Ainge, Fred Roberts, and Steve Craig, they formed one of the most prolific scoring teams in BYU history - with all five starters reaching 1,000 career points despite playing before the three-point line.

While choosing basketball over a traditional mission initially left him feeling incomplete, Scott's path led to unexpected blessings - meeting his wife Tammy, a successful career at Merrill Lynch, and eventually serving as a Mission President in Australia. Through stories of epic games, legendary teammates, and life-changing decisions, Scott shares how following divine guidance - even when it leads away from our planned path - can result in a life of meaningful impact both on and off the court.

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Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with Robbie Bosco, the quarterback who led BYU to its historic 1984 National Championship. From deciding on BYU in the final hours of his recruitment to overcoming a serious shoulder injury that affected his NFL prospects, Robbie's story is one of determination and lasting impact.

Despite not being a member of the Church at the time, Bosco's personal values aligned perfectly with BYU's culture. His championship season would prove transformative for college football, sparking changes in bowl game matchups and national rankings, while weathering criticism from figures like Barry Switzer and Bryant Gumbel who questioned BYU's strength of schedule.

As BYU celebrates both 100 years of football and the 40th anniversary of the 1984 National Championship, Bosco offers unique perspectives on how that championship season changed college football, including the controversial reactions from figures like Barry Switzer and Bryant Gumbel. His insights on BYU's current success in the Big 12 and the changing landscape of college athletics through NIL and conference realignment demonstrate his continued passion for the program he helped build.

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Get ready for an exciting episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with BYU football defensive end Tyler Batty. From his early days working on his family's ranch in Payson to becoming a key player on BYU's defense, Tyler's journey is a testament to determination, resilience, and finding purpose beyond the game!

His path to football success wasn't without significant obstacles. A devastating ATV accident before his freshman year of high school left him with a severe brain injury that doctors said should have ended his football career. Against medical advice but driven by passion and determination, Tyler worked his way back to playing the sport he loved. Beyond his accomplishments on the field, Tyler has found a profound calling in continuing his family's legacy of service through equine therapy. Inspired by witnessing the transformative impact of horseback riding on Coach Ed Lamb's son Edward, who has autism, Tyler founded Edward's Hands - a non-profit organization providing free equine therapy services to individuals with special needs.

Throughout this episode, Mike and Tyler discuss the evolution of BYU's defense, the joy of playing football, and how his experiences - from ranch life to recovery to creating Edward's Hands - have shaped his perspective on what matters most. His story is one of perseverance, faith, and using personal trials to help others.

To learn more about Edward's Hands and how to support their mission of providing free equine therapy services, visit: https://edwardshands.org/

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