The following article appeared in the LDS Chuch News November 26, 2011 featuring two Provo Rotarians, legendary BYU football coach LaVell Edwards and UVU Athletic Director Mike Jacobsen.
Pioneer in leadership: Former BYU football coach honored
Life isn't about football games or victories but about relationships, former BYU football coach LaVell Edwards said after being honored by the BYU Management Society Utah Valley Chapter during the fourth annual Pioneer in Leadership Award Gala on Nov. 18.
"Looking back over the experiences I have had over the years ... we have had a lot of great events, and a lot of great times in our lives," Brother Edwards said. "But, rarely do I ever think about games — I often think about relationships. That has always been the most important part of whatever we do in life."
During the gala dinner, held in the Provo Marriott Hotel, organizers lauded Brother Edwards for his pioneer spirit of courage in adversity and integrity in leadership.
"The Pioneer in Leadership award is given not to people who cross the plains … but to people who have done a little extra, achieved a little more and perhaps have done things a little different," said Brad Mertz, president of the BYU Management Society Utah Valley Chapter. "Although I didn't have the privilege of playing football for Coach Edwards, he is my coach, and I believe he has been your coach …through [his] example of integrity, hard work and willingness to be and do things different."
Although Brother Edwards is well known nationally in the athletic world for his 29-year run as head coach of the BYU football team, it is his high morals and integrity seen in his associations with others both on and off the field that makes him stand out.
"LaVell is a man of God," the program for the event noted. "He has served in a wide variety of callings for the Church. ... He has made the difference in hundreds of people's lives. He lives what he believes."
During the event, Chad Lewis, who works in the BYU Athletics Department and is a former player for Brother Edwards, read some comments from other players about their former coach.
He quoted one player as saying, "The personal relationship with the players meant more than the game of football. He cared more about you, your wife, your family, as much as how you were doing on the field."
Another player said, "His aura always made me want to be better. When he came into the football office, we all wanted to sit up straighter. When he walked into the room even the hard-nosed guys gave him total respect."
Brother Lewis told a story about Tom Holmoe, athletic director for BYU, and his experience of coming to play football for Brother Edwards at BYU.? During a fall practice as a freshman, Brother Holmoe — who was then not a member of the Church — was having a rough time and so his father came to campus for a visit.
As Brother Holmoe's dad sat just inside the gate of the field to watch the practice, Brother Edwards walked up to him and called him by name. He then proceeded to spend the next 45 minutes speaking with the player's father.
After the practice, Brother Holmoe remembered his father telling him, "Tom, you aren't going anywhere. With a man like that, you are in good hands."
For many, Brother Edwards taught them the importance of being more than a football player, Brother Lewis said.
"As coach Edwards speaks of the players he coaches, he recognizes these players accomplishments, and their greatest achievements as they should be recognized," Brother Mertz said. "I've heard him say many times that these men are good husbands, they're good fathers, they are good men."
A letter from Gov. Gary Herbert said, "I applaud you not only for your success … as head coach at BYU, but for the example you set as a moral and ethical leader in both your profssional and private life. You have demonstrated dedication to others and service to your fellow man. Throughout the years you have been pulled in many directions, however, you have always let it be known, that Patti and your children have been, and always will be your highest priority."
Over the span of his coaching career Brother Edwards has been recognized with many awards and accomplishments, but it is his ability to build relationships that his associates remember the most.
"He is recognized throughout the U.S.," said Michael Jacobsen, a former player and director of athletics and associate vice president at Utah Valley University. "People know who he is and what he stands for. He has left a legacy and great example. People know him today for what he represents, but his legacy goes way beyond that. He is a friend and mentor."
For Brother Edwards, the relationships he has built over many years are what he still cherishes most.
"The individual is what counts," Brother Edwards said. "And that's what I thoroughly enjoy above anything else. People have asked me if I miss coaching. I have not missed the duties of the coach, but I have missed the relationships."
mholman@desnews.com
Tom Smart, Deseret News
LaVell and Patti Edwards as the Utah Valley Chapter awards LaVell Edwards with the Pioneer in Leadership Award because he has been a standard for moral and ethical leadership in his professional and personal life Friday, Nov. 18, 2011, in Provo, Utah.
"Looking back over the experiences I have had over the years ... we have had a lot of great events, and a lot of great times in our lives," Brother Edwards said. "But, rarely do I ever think about games — I often think about relationships. That has always been the most important part of whatever we do in life."
During the gala dinner, held in the Provo Marriott Hotel, organizers lauded Brother Edwards for his pioneer spirit of courage in adversity and integrity in leadership.
Tom Smart, Deseret News
Former player Michael Jacobsen and his wife, Alice, stand with LaVell and Patti Edwards during the fourth annual Pioneer in Leadership Award Gala sponsored by the BYU Management Society Utah Valley Chapter. Brother Edwards is this year's Pioneer in Leadership award recipient.
"The Pioneer in Leadership award is given not to people who cross the plains … but to people who have done a little extra, achieved a little more and perhaps have done things a little different," said Brad Mertz, president of the BYU Management Society Utah Valley Chapter. "Although I didn't have the privilege of playing football for Coach Edwards, he is my coach, and I believe he has been your coach …through [his] example of integrity, hard work and willingness to be and do things different."
Although Brother Edwards is well known nationally in the athletic world for his 29-year run as head coach of the BYU football team, it is his high morals and integrity seen in his associations with others both on and off the field that makes him stand out.
"LaVell is a man of God," the program for the event noted. "He has served in a wide variety of callings for the Church. ... He has made the difference in hundreds of people's lives. He lives what he believes."
During the event, Chad Lewis, who works in the BYU Athletics Department and is a former player for Brother Edwards, read some comments from other players about their former coach.
He quoted one player as saying, "The personal relationship with the players meant more than the game of football. He cared more about you, your wife, your family, as much as how you were doing on the field."
Another player said, "His aura always made me want to be better. When he came into the football office, we all wanted to sit up straighter. When he walked into the room even the hard-nosed guys gave him total respect."
Brother Lewis told a story about Tom Holmoe, athletic director for BYU, and his experience of coming to play football for Brother Edwards at BYU.? During a fall practice as a freshman, Brother Holmoe — who was then not a member of the Church — was having a rough time and so his father came to campus for a visit.
As Brother Holmoe's dad sat just inside the gate of the field to watch the practice, Brother Edwards walked up to him and called him by name. He then proceeded to spend the next 45 minutes speaking with the player's father.
After the practice, Brother Holmoe remembered his father telling him, "Tom, you aren't going anywhere. With a man like that, you are in good hands."
For many, Brother Edwards taught them the importance of being more than a football player, Brother Lewis said.
"As coach Edwards speaks of the players he coaches, he recognizes these players accomplishments, and their greatest achievements as they should be recognized," Brother Mertz said. "I've heard him say many times that these men are good husbands, they're good fathers, they are good men."
A letter from Gov. Gary Herbert said, "I applaud you not only for your success … as head coach at BYU, but for the example you set as a moral and ethical leader in both your profssional and private life. You have demonstrated dedication to others and service to your fellow man. Throughout the years you have been pulled in many directions, however, you have always let it be known, that Patti and your children have been, and always will be your highest priority."
Over the span of his coaching career Brother Edwards has been recognized with many awards and accomplishments, but it is his ability to build relationships that his associates remember the most.
"He is recognized throughout the U.S.," said Michael Jacobsen, a former player and director of athletics and associate vice president at Utah Valley University. "People know who he is and what he stands for. He has left a legacy and great example. People know him today for what he represents, but his legacy goes way beyond that. He is a friend and mentor."
For Brother Edwards, the relationships he has built over many years are what he still cherishes most.
"The individual is what counts," Brother Edwards said. "And that's what I thoroughly enjoy above anything else. People have asked me if I miss coaching. I have not missed the duties of the coach, but I have missed the relationships."
mholman@desnews.com
