Beyond the Game Podcast

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with Josh Singh, former BYU defensive tackle who recently transferred to Vanderbilt to continue his football journey. Affectionately known as "Bear" since childhood - a nickname that's sparked the viral "#bearsighting" phenomenon among teammates - Josh shares how his path from Laie, Hawaii to Orem, Utah changed the trajectory ...

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacy sits down with BYU soccer standout Ellie Walbruch! Ellie shares her remarkable journey from national champion at UCLA to becoming a beacon of BYU soccer's special "light." Raised in a family where soccer wasn't just a game but a way of life, Ellie's unconventional path saw her training with boys' teams throughout high school—a decision...

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with BYU's Australian punter Sam Vander Haar. When backpacking through America in 2019, Sam met his future wife Hallie in San Diego, setting him on an unexpected path that would lead from swimming pool sales in Melbourne to becoming one of college football's most dynamic special teams weapons.

Known for his unorthodox between-the-legs pass...

In this exciting episode of Beyond the Game, we sit down with Faletau Satuala, BYU's promising young safety who made an immediate impact as a true freshman. Standing at 6'4", this Bountiful High School standout brings impressive size, athleticism, and ball-hawking skills to the Cougars' defense. Despite being recruited by powerhouse programs like USC, UCLA, and Tennessee, Faletau's journey to BYU came down to a...

Get ready for an exciting episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with BYU football standout Tanner Wall. Growing up in Arlington, Virginia as a lifelong BYU fan with deep family connections to the Church, Tanner's journey to Provo wasn't straightforward. Starting as an undersized walk-on wide receiver who weighed just 99 pounds as a high school freshman, he transformed himself into an Academic All-American ...

Get ready for one of our most unique episodes yet of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey kicks off Season 6 with Jeff Strong, former BYU baseball pitcher turned track coach and hurdles competitor. After playing for the Mighty Red Devils at Springville High School and pitching for BYU in the 1980s, Jeff's career took him through Procter & Gamble and around the world before becoming a mission president in Arkansas. At age 50, ...

Get ready for an exciting episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with former BYU quarterback Charlie Peterson. After serving a mission in Fiji and returning to compete for the starting quarterback position under coaches Norm Chow and LaVell Edwards, Charlie navigated the challenges of quarterback controversies while developing the "saltiness" needed to succeed. His football journey continued beyond BYU, t...

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with BYU football legend Jim McMahon. When his dad put the brakes on his dreams to play baseball at UNLV, it sent him on an unexpected path that changed everything. Behind those famous sunglasses was a football genius with a photographic memory who thrived in BYU's high-flying offense - which Jim still calls "the best offense I've ever played in," be...

Get ready for an exciting episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with Andrew Gentry, the 6'8" offensive lineman who recently transferred from Michigan to BYU. After committing to Virginia out of high school, Gentry's path took an unexpected turn when Bronco Mendenhall stepped down during his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Orem, Utah.

While serving faithfully as a miss...

Get ready for an exciting episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with former BYU tight end Byron Rex. From his Hawaiian roots to his memorable playing days at BYU, Byron shares how football became a vehicle for teaching eternal principles to his family, including his sons Isaac and Preston who followed in his footsteps at BYU.

Through honest stories about his highs and lows—including the unforgettable Hawaii ga...

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with BYU quarterback legend Gary Sheide. When LaVell Edwards recruited him from Antioch, California in the early 1970s, Gary had never heard of BYU or the LDS Church. His journey from a talented multi-sport athlete to becoming one of BYU's pioneering quarterbacks changed not just his football career but his entire life's trajectory. Known for...

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with BYU safety Raider Damuni. After major back surgery that nearly ended his football career just months before the 2023 season, Damuni returned to become a key playmaker in BYU's inaugural Big 12 campaign.

Through stories ranging from his father's influence as a former BYU player to his transformative mission in Oakland serving the To...

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with legendary NCAA basketball coach James Harrick. From his early days learning from John Wooden to leading UCLA to the 1995 National Championship, Coach Harrick shares how divine guidance shaped his remarkable coaching journey.

Starting as a high school English teacher who studied Wooden's every move, Harrick developed his own positive coaching p...

Get ready for an exciting episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with BYU's newest defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa. After three successful seasons at Utah, his surprising transfer to BYU was guided by more than just football - it was about finding the right environment for his future growth both on and off the field.

Known for his infectious smile off the field and tenacious play on it, Keanu brings a unique pers...

Get ready for an engaging episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with Marc Lyons, whose journey from BYU quarterback to beloved broadcaster spans over four decades of Cougar football history. From running the belly series offense in the late 1960s to becoming the trusted voice alongside Paul James in the broadcast booth, Marc's story weaves together the evolution of BYU football with personal tales of faith and...

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with Vic Tarleton, whose journey exemplifies the transformative power of community and service through football. From star quarterback at Rancho Cordova High School in California to cornerback at BYU in the 1990s, Vic's path demonstrates how diverse experiences shape character and create opportunities to impact others.

The conversation explores how ...

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://edwardshand...

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, inclu...

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 pr...