Beyond the Game Podcast
Diving into BYU athletes’ stories beyond the game! Having played fullback behind legendary quarterbacks such as Wilson, McMahon, and Young, Mike Lacey (1978-1981) witnessed numerous tales of comebacks, acts of courage, and the highs and lows of a team rising to national prominence. Notably, some of his former teammates like Andy Reid and Kyle Whittingham, continue to leave a lasting impact on the game. The purpose of each episode is to share the intriguing stories behind and beyond each team, game, and player. These stories are always meant to inspire and apply to each of our daily lives!
Episodes
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 ...
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 sto...
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...
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 brea...
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 playi...
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 Pol...
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 i...
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 trans...
In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Lacey sits down with a true BYU legend, Shauna Rohbock. Widely considered one of the greatest athletes to ever wear a Cougar uniform, Shauna’s journey took her from breaking scoring records on the soccer field to standing on the Olympic podium as a silver medalist in the bobsled.
Shauna shares the fascinating story of how a world-class soccer player found herself hurtling down an ice tr...
In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Lacey sits down with BYU offensive tackle Ethan Thomas. A highly touted recruit from Fort Collins, Ethan stands 6'8" and 310 lbs, but his journey hasn't been without its trials . After a devastating ACL tear during bowl game practice, Ethan shares the mental and physical hurdles of starting over from scratch.
In this episode, we discuss:
The "Gentle Giant" Origins: How a "baby giraffe" in ...
In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Lacey sits down with renowned broadcaster and play-by-play announcer Pete Souza. Pete brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective on the "holiday" that is March Madness.
The conversation dives deep into the heart of the NCAA tournament, the shifting landscape of college athletics, and why BYU’s entry into the Big 12 has fundamentally changed the game for the Cougars.
In th...
After a year of grueling rehab, BYU soccer star Ellie Walbruch is back on the pitch and playing with more joy than ever. In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Lacey and Ellie dive into the incredible "underdog" story of the BYU women’s soccer team and their unforgettable run through the Big 12.
From the "infamous pop" of an ACL injury to the pure adrenaline of silencing a home crowd as an 8th seed, Ellie shares the lesson...
In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Lacey catches up with his former BYU roommate and 13-year NBA veteran Fred Roberts. One of the true greats from BYU’s past, Fred’s career spanned eras from Danny Ainge to Mike Smith before he embarked on a prolific pro journey with teams like the Celtics, Bucks, and Bucks .
The conversation begins with a candid look at a difficult week for the BYU community, marked by the passin...
In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Lacey is joined by BYU guard Dawson Baker. Known for his lethal three-point shooting and ability to penetrate defenses, Dawson has faced a challenging road marked by injury and a transition from UC Irvine to the Big 12 stage. Dawson opens up about the mental toll of being sidelined, his transformative mission to Micronesia, and the mature perspective he brings to his future in Provo.
In thi...
In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Lacey sits down with 10-year NBA veteran and Kansas Jayhawk legend Greg Dreiling. From playing behind 7’4” Rick Smits to his time with the Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers, Greg shares what it was really like to navigate a decade at the highest level of professional basketball.
Greg opens up about the "Fireman" mentality required to survive in the league, the legendary c...
In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Lacey is joined by Drake Toll. Despite having no personal ties to BYU or being a member of the LDS faith, Drake has become one of the most passionate national voices for the Cougar fan base. Following a frustrating loss at Oklahoma State, Mike and Drake dive into a raw and necessary conversation about the state of sportsmanship in the Big 12.
In this episode, we discuss:
The Purpose of Spo...
In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Lacey is joined by a true titan of sports journalism, Howard Balzer. With a career spanning five decades and 45 Super Bowls, Howard shares a lifetime of "behind the scenes" stories from his time covering the St. Louis and Arizona Cardinals, the Rams, and his 23 years on the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee.
Howard reflects on the "omen" that started his career at Hofstra Univer...
In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Lacey sits down with one of the most exciting young talents in college basketball, BYU freshman center Xavion Staton. Despite not picking up a basketball until the 9th grade, Xavion’s rise has been meteoric—from a 7-foot wide receiver prospect in youth football to a Team USA invitee and Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year.
Xavion opens up about his journey to Provo, his unique li...
In this episode of Beyond the Game, host Mike Lacey sits down with former BYU star linebacker Markell Staffieri. A key part of the Bronco Mendenhall era, Mark shares incredible stories from his time in Provo and how his path almost led him into the coaching ranks alongside current DC Kelly Poppinga.
We dive into:
The "What If" Coaching Story: How a condo purchase in San Diego changed Markell’s life path—and opened the...
In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Lacey sits down with former BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff for an in-depth look at one of the most eventful years in college football. Jake opens up about his "rollercoaster" journey, from navigating off-field challenges at BYU to finding a new home and winning a conference championship at Tulane.
Plus, Mike breaks down the newly released Big 12 football schedule, including the highly antici...
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