Deseret News | For LaVell and Patti Edwards, it's all about service

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For LaVell and Patti Edwards, it's all about service

Anonymous | 7:03 a.m. May 14, 2009

I had the pleasure of getting acquainted with LaVell Edwards after he retired from coaching. He could have been arrogant and aloof, but instead he was down to earth and just a great, but humble guy. He is a great teacher and has a big heart. He is a rare commodity.

Very Touching | 7:03 a.m. May 14, 2009

In a time when we see sports figures grab headlines for how selfish they are, it is reassuring that there are genuinely good people in every arena of life-- including sports.

Thanks Lavell for putting BYU on the map- and thanks Patti for the incredible support of players and wives that made BYU not only a good team- but showed an example of how each of them could be good people long after football was a part of their life.

Bear Laker | 7:25 a.m. May 14, 2009

Nice story, Dick. The Edwards are the best. I didn't know about your little boy. Thanks for sharing.

Comments continue below

Jacob | 8:13 a.m. May 14, 2009

It is because of stories like these that LaVell is one of three heroes in my life, along with my father and one other person.

God bless LaVell and Patty.

SoCalFan | 11:02 a.m. May 14, 2009

Great article Dick as usual. You are a class act yourself. Keep it up.

Good article | 12:06 p.m. May 14, 2009

We sure could use a lot more people like LaVell and Patti. And you too, Mr. Harmon.

Ute Fan | 1:15 p.m. May 14, 2009

I don't always agree with Dick Harmon but he hit a homerun with this article. I was a student at the University of Utah the year that Gary Schiedy(SP)beat my Utes and started many years of loosing football games to BYU. Even so, LaVell has always been a class act that has been tough to beat; literally. He is also impossible to dislike. Enough good things about LaVell and Patti cannot be said. I agree that sports and every profession need more people like the Edwards.

Todd | 3:05 p.m. May 14, 2009

Mr. Harmon thanks for the article. I have been impressed with Coach Edwards and his wife for at least 30 years. You could tell how he treated players, coaches, and officials during games that he was a class act. I'm glad he had a long successful career at BYU and hope coach is happy and continues to feel successful.

David in Spokane | 5:24 p.m. May 14, 2009

I don't care what anyone ever says or has said negatively about Dick Harmon, I've been saying it for years, he is first rate. Is he perfect? Heck, no. Does he make his share of mistakes? Of course, just like each of us. But you always knew his heart or intentions were always in the right place. Keep up the great work, Dick. Yours is the first column I always look for when I hit the DN site. Thanks for a wonderful article about wonderful people.

drbear | 8:23 p.m. May 14, 2009

When I was in the 3rd grade we had to write a letter to "someone famous". I wrote mine to Lavell. He took the time to write me back a personal letter and an autographed picture showing me that he did smile sometimes (because I had asked him why he never smiles). I have always been impressed that he took the time to answer the letter of a third grade boy when I am sure that he had a lot more important and pressing things to do.

Mike | 9:24 p.m. May 14, 2009

You hit a home run on this one Dick.

Coach E | 12:10 a.m. May 15, 2009

I don't often respond to articles, but I thought to briefly add my own experiences with Coach Edwards. I was an assistant women's basketball coach at BYU for 2 seasons and was our recruiting coordinator. Every time we would plan a visit, both our recruits and thier parents would ask about Coach Edwards. Coach Edwards helped us with recruiting so many times, even during his season, since that was our recruiting time. He did everything from allowing us to visit his practice, on the field, to arranging to sit down and meet with our recruits and thier parents. He also signed footballs if we needed them for gifts for family. He even made arrangements to visit a sick child with whom I had a friendship when he was at Primary Children's Hospital. Coach Edwards was not only a great ambassador for BYU, but a phenomenal ambassador for the church. Thanks for being such a great example in all that you did, and do, Coach.

Good old Times | 12:53 a.m. May 15, 2009

With efforts to motivate the Cougar faithful for the upcoming fireside season falling flat, why not try and remember the good old days. God Bless Coach Edwards.

Eugene | 5:01 a.m. May 15, 2009

I've had the honor to meet Coach Edwards twice and Patti once. These opportunities are special to me since they both treated me as a long time friend and not as a stranger. My favorite was having dinner with them in Salt Lake City last year. It was like being old friends and I was amazed about their currently active schedule. They seemed like awesome grandparents and it simply told me they are just simply wonderful people.

Thanks for the article!

Gregg | 7:58 a.m. May 15, 2009

Great article Dick. Coach Edwards will continue to generate memories for all of us. I ran into him one afternoon while picking out suits at Mr Mac's. My wife pushed me to go ahead and say Hi. My position was he is way to busy for that nonsense. Well I did it and it is a memory that will be embedded in my mind forever. It was the warmest response I have ever received from the most humble man I have met. It was the greatest 2 minute conversation I will probably ever get into.

Eric | 1:03 p.m. May 15, 2009

Dick, I read and enjoy your column regularly. This one struck 2 chords: my wife and I lost our oldest child, our only daughter, to leukemia in 1982. I didn't know about the tragedy in your life, and I empathize with your heartbreak.

The other chord relates to coach Edwards. What a great ambassador for BYU and the Church! In 1985, right after the 10-7 loss to Ohio St in the Citrus Bowl, I met him and Patti at a Fireside here in northern Calif. He was here to coach in the East-West Game. I'd been to 1 game/year since 1979 (couldn't go to more because of travel), and they'd won them all (incl. 80 Holiday Bowl, 83 vs UCLA, 84 vs Mich). He chuckled and said, "Next time we play Ohio State, I should send you a ticket!" They're sweet, classy people.

Yesterday, I met an atty at a business appt. When he learned I'd gone to BYU, he immediately mentioned his admiration for LaVell. He's a Penn St grad, so we had fun comparing notes re JoePa and LaVell. He certainly put BYU on the map!

Cody | 1:28 p.m. May 15, 2009

I appreciate the column. This struck a personal chord, because about 3 weeks ago I was hosted by LaVell and Patti at their home. I have never met more down to earth people. It's funny, Football was only mentioned in passing, and the focus was on me, my son, and my wife. It felt like I was at my grandparents home. They genuinely care. I think they will be remembered more for the kind of people they are than the football that was played.

Jeff | 2:23 p.m. May 15, 2009

Thanks for writing such a great column on a great man and his equally -- if not even greater -- wife. It was an honor for Sutherland to honor Patti and LaVell. We wish you all could have been there. If you go to Sutherland Institute's YouTube page, you can watch the tribute video we made for them. Elder Holland, along with Coach Mendenhall, are among those who pay tribute.

Thanks again, Dick.

Sherry Rowe | 7:46 a.m. May 17, 2009

Thank you for writing an excellent tribute to two of my favorite people. I have many special memories of them with our association at BYU-football and Provo High School. They have had a great impact on me and my family.

badlandscougar | 9:47 a.m. May 17, 2009

a great article from a great guy about a great coach. mr harmon you always have been my source for byu and other news. you're a class guy.

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