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SALT LAKE CITY — The historic announcement made by President Thomas S. Monson that missionary age requirements have been changed left many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in shock.
That includes a number of elite, young LDS athletes who are committed to college athletic programs.
"My first reaction was wow," says Lone Peak senior guard Nick Emery who has committed to play basketball at BYU. "Is this really happening?"
The younger age requirement could dramatically impact the decisions made by these athletes about when they choose to serve a mission. Those decisions could also have an impact on the program with which they will each sign a letter of intent.
"I think that just gives people a lot more flexibility based on their individual circumstances," says East senior Parker Van Dyke who is committed to Utah. "If they are ready to go when they are 18, go ahead and go. If not then they wait until they are 19 if they like."
Van Dyke turns 18 soon but has not made a decision whether he will depart immediately following graduation or if he will play his freshman year at Utah before he begins serving a mission.
Lone Peak High basketball player Eric Mika, who is committed to BYU, shared his feeling via Twitter after learning of the change. He turns 18 in four months.
"Still can't quite wrap my head around life right now but i still know the overall plan is stayin the same #missionbound #thataintchangin"
One athlete that will leave for sure before enrolling in college is Lone Peak senior basketball player Nick Emery. In fact, he will leave earlier than planned. Emery had targeted June of 2013 for departure, but now he may graduate early and begin serving as early as April.
"It's a huge benefit," Emery says. "It's hard getting back in shape and having that mentality when you get back (from serving a mission). It takes a few months. I've seen it in players."
The extra months spent getting back in shape and working on his game will help a player like Emery have a greater impact his freshman year at BYU.
The announcement dramatically altered the plans for Emery's friend and teammate TJ Haws. He planned on playing one season at BYU before departing so he could fulfill a life-long dream and play on the same team as his older brother Tyler. Now he has a new option to consider.
"I was ready to stick to that plan and (the announcement) kinda threw me for a loop this morning," Haws says. "I really didn't know what to think but obviously now I have options and they are good options. It's going to take some time to think about what I really want to do."
There are a number of LDS athletes like Orem High junior Dalton Nixon who won't turn 19 until during or after their freshman year of college. It made the decision to play their freshman season before departing an easy one. Now that leaving at 18 is an option everything has changed for Nixon.
"I was really surprised and it changes the way I look at how I'm going to make plans for college," says Nixon who is already committed to BYU. "I think it's really appealing to be able to play four consecutive years. I think playing four straight years really helps you improve better as a player."
Former BYU star Jackson Emery agrees. He played one year with the Cougars before leaving to serve a mission. He would have left at age 18 if he had the option.
"I think it will help them in every way both physically and mentally," says Emery.
Today's news will affect many LDS athletes but what about the programs that the athletes are committed to join? How will coaches manage the changes that could occur in the current recruiting classes because a player that planned to enroll and play their freshman year may now depart earlier than planned for missionary service?
It will take time to sort out the details, especially for athletic programs at BYU where there are so many prospective missionaries that earn scholarships in different sports, especially football.
There are several other programs that will be affected by the changes. One of those programs is the University of Utah basketball team. Head coach Larry Krystkowiak has commitments from two players in the 2013 class, Parker Van Dyke and Brandon Miller, that have mission plans and three players currently in the program who have returned from serving missions. He sees the news as a positive for his program.
"At the end of the day this is just going to give us more freedom age-wise," he says. "I think now it's going to give us flexibility in dealing with some of our recruits."
For Krystkowiak, the thought of having a mature, hard working player in his program far outweighs the challenges of managing the scholarship of an LDS player who suddenly decides to leave and serve a mission.
"The key for us right now is just making sure we've got our years and our positions in line," he says. "When these kids come back that's when it gets to be a little more fun having a more mature ball player."
Just how much impact this change will have won't be known for several years. For now players like Nick Emery will take advantage of their new-found options and prepare for missionary service.
We're excited about the decision," he says. "It's great for us. We are excited to serve."
