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PROVO — The word "legend" gets thrown around about a lot of figures in the modern age, but former BYU coach and athletic administrator Elaine Michaelis more than qualifies.
BYU confirmed the passing Wednesday of the legendary women's volleyball coach, first-ballot AVCA Hall of Famer and athletic director for women's sports across a distinguished 44-year career at the age of 86.
Michaelis came to BYU at a time when female athletes weren't on scholarship and coaches performed in the job for little more than the love of the game and the players.
She rose up to become a leading voice for female coaches, particularly in women's volleyball, where she served as the chair of the AIAW volleyball committee and the volleyball rules committee.
She also was a member of the AIAW's executive committee and chair of the AIAW national ethics and eligibility committee during a four-decade career through May 22.
The former basketball, softball and volleyball coach participated in all three sports during her playing career at BYU from 1956-60, pitching a no-hitter and a one-hitter on the same day of a regional tournament at Colorado in 1959.
After graduating with a degree in physical education in 1960, she took a job coaching at the university, where she also coached field hockey.
Michaelis led the women's basketball team to a 48-34 from 1972-77, and enjoyed immeasurable success as head coach of the women's volleyball team during a 33-year career that included 18 conference titles, 26 AIAW and NCAA tournament appearances, and an AIAW national runner-up finish in 1972.
She also served as the director of women's intercollegiate athletics at BYU from 1995-2004, when the athletic department had separate leadership for its men's and women's programs. A year after her retirement, the Cougars named the volleyball court at the Smith Fieldhouse in her honor.
"Elaine Michaelis was an extraordinary coach, mentor, leader and friend," BYU senior associate athletic director Liz Darger said. "Her pioneering efforts to advance and elevate women's athletics at BYU laid a strong foundation and set in motion a legacy of excellence that continues to propel our programs forward.
"Elaine was a Christ-centered leader who dedicated her life to helping others realize their full divine potential. Her profound influence extended far beyond the BYU community, leaving a lasting impact on collegiate athletics as a whole."
Michaelis retired as the all-time leader in victories among female coaches in collegiate volleyball with 886 wins. She ranked second overall at the time, trailing only UCLA's Andy Banachowski. Only seven female coaches — all in softball — have won more games than Michaelis in any NCAA Division I sport.
"Elaine Michaelis was not only a pioneer in women's athletics at BYU, but a pioneer in women's athletics period," BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe said in a statement. "The successes today in women's sports at BYU would not be possible without Elaine's tremendous love, commitment and advocacy that she spent her life building and strengthening. On top of her legendary athletic accomplishments, Elaine was a beautiful person and dear friend to many."
Michaelis received the Bear River High School distinguished alumni award in 1988, a year after being inducted into the Utah Summer Games hall of fame and shortly before being inducted into the hall of fame of the Utah Network for Women and Girls in Sport in 1990. She earned three other local honors before being inducted into the BYU Athletics hall of fame in 2008, including the Dale Rex Memorial Award in 1994 given annually by the Cougar Club to the person who has contributed the most to amateur athletics in Utah.
