Doing just fine: Michaelis appreciates outpouring of support

PROVO — Elaine Michaelis appreciates all of the concern, but the first thing she wants everyone to know is, she's doing fine.

It wasn't until she was fired last September by Brigham Young University — the school she had worked for and represented for 44 years as a coach and athletic administrator — that Michaelis realized the impact her career made on so many people.

She's a pioneer of BYU women's sports and a veritable legend in collegiate volleyball circles, having led the Cougars to an 887-225-5 record in four decades at the helm. Michaelis retired from coaching in 2002 to devote all of her energy to what was her other full-time job — BYU women's athletic director.

But four months ago, she and the men's athletic director, Val Hale, were hastily and awkwardly dismissed because, the school explained, it wanted to combine its two athletic programs. Funny thing is, Michaelis would have bowed out gracefully, and retired before the announcement, had she been given the opportunity. Instead, she was abruptly terminated without warning.

Was that any way to say goodbye to Michaelis? Was that any way to treat a legend? Nobody seems to think so.

As proof of this, Michaelis has received hundreds of letters and dozens of phone calls from supporters since that time. Many of those people say they are angry with the university for the way they handled the situation, including donors who say they won't give money to the school any more because of it.

Mostly, they want to let Michaelis know how they feel about her.

"People have been wonderful. I had no idea that many people even knew me or cared. It's been a real blessing to me," Michaelis says. "People have really gone out of their way to make me feel respected, loved and appreciated."

Among those she has heard from include Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Deseret Book president and chief executive officer Sheri Dew. Many of her former players have been in touch with her as well.

Months later, those former players are still fuming over what happened to their coach. "I was totally disappointed in the way they handled it. I was surprised. Disgusted, really," said former Cougar All-America Michele Fellows Lewis. "I don't know why they decided to do it that way. They didn't even say thank you. I don't think there's anyone who has been committed to BYU more than Elaine Michaelis. She loves BYU and what it stands for. For them to kick her out the door, it brought tears to my eyes."