Beyond the Game Podcast

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 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. Br...

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...

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 t...

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...

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 fastin...

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...

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...

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 h...

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"...

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...

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 s...

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...

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 bri...

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 l...

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 episod...

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 st...

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 t...

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 lif...

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 sch...

BYU safety Tanner Wall joins Beyond the Game for an inspiring conversation about football, faith, and finding purpose beyond the field From the joy of the Pop-Tarts Bowl to preparing for the NFL Combine, Tanner shares his journey as a walk-on turned leader, the culture inside the BYU program, and why brotherhood still matters in the transfer-portal era. Plus: ►What earning a spot on the Allstate G...

In this thoughtful holiday-season episode of Beyond the Game, host Mike Lacey welcomes Adam Eaton of The Sons of UCF for a wide-ranging, insightful conversation that goes far beyond the final score. Set against the backdrop of BYU’s matchup with UCF and the upcoming Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando, the discussion explores the unpredictable nature of football — and life — where the ball doesn’t always bo...

It's a Pop Tart Bowl preview episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey visits with Rod Mackenzie of GoJackets.com, part of the 247 Sports Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with BYU football walk-on Kila Keone. At just 18 years old, this remarkable young man has already overcome incredible odds - playing his senior year of high school at age 16, transferring schools to chase his quarterback's recruiting attention, and navigating the complex gray shirt process to finally land at his dre...

Get ready for a compelling episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with Joe Semanoff, former BYU fullback whose journey from Philadelphia walk-on to RB team captain exemplifies perseverance and leadership. After driving cross-country in an '88 Honda Accord with just a VHS highlight reel delivered by his sister, Joe earned his spot alongside legendary running backs Luke Staley, Harv...