‘Mormon Land’: Why LDS meetinghouses have basketball courts — the rise and fall of ‘church ball’
From its beginning as a display of “muscular Christianity” to the expensive era of BYU, NIL and AJ Dybantsa, the sport has held a vaunted place in the faith.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fans fill the stadium during the game between the BYU Cougars and the Arizona State Sun Devils in Provo in early January.
David is a managing editor at The Tribune, where he has worked since 1984. He oversees coverage ranging from local government and west-side issues to growth, development and housing. In addition, he directs religion reporting, co-hosts the award-winning “Mormon Land” podcast and writes the Mormon Land newsletter.
Hired in 1991 to cover Utah's various faiths, particularly Mormonism, Peggy has talked forgiveness with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, nearly fainted waiting for the Dalai Lama, fasted with Muslims during Ramadan — and has reported on 50 consecutive semiannual LDS General Conferences.