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Coach Michaelis Approaches 850 Wins Elaine Michaelis, BYU head women's volleyball coach, goes for her 850th win this weekend against San Diego State.
Sept. 20, 2000
By Brian Hintze
Now in her 39th year as BYU head volleyball coach, Elaine Michaelis is about to go where few volleyball coaches have gone before.
Michaelis needs two victories to reach 850 wins, second all time among NCAA volleyball coaches.
Those wins could come this weekend as BYU opens up the Mountain West Conference at home against UNLV and San Diego State.
"I don't ever think about those things. I am a here-and-now person. I just want to do the best that I can with the team that I have every year," Michaelis said.
Over the past 31 years, she has an overall record of 848-212-5. (BYU didn't keep records until 1969).
Michaelis has posted 26 consecutive 20-win seasons and 28 in 31 years.
Her conference record is a staggering 334-31, with a near 92 percent winning percentage.
She has never had a losing season.
She attributes her success and longevity to her players and her love of the game of volleyball.
"I really enjoy these young people. They are just a joy to be around. Also, I work with wonderful people at a wonderful school," Michaelis said.
Like a mother, Michaelis said she finds great joy in the success of her players.
Through her career, Michaelis has coached 18 players who have earned 49 All-American awards, three who were named National Player of the Year and four who have earned eight GTE Academic All-American awards.
She has earned the respect of her players and BYU's faculty as well as the coaching community.
Michaelis' peers have also recognized her for coaching excellence with 15 Conference Coach of the Year awards in three conferences, Tachikara Region Division I Coach of the Year in 1987 and NCAA District 7 Coach of the Year in 1996.
She has also been inducted into the Utah Summer Games Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame of the Utah Network of Women and Girl Sports, and was a recipient of the Dale Rex award for her outstanding contribution to amateur athletics in the state of Utah.
The list goes on and on.
Michaelis has amassed almost as many awards as she has wins.
Her work and accomplishments extend beyond the volleyball court.
In addition to volleyball she is the athletic director for women's sports at BYU.
She has coached basketball, softball and field hockey and authored two books on sports and special education.
Aside from her extensive accomplishments as a coach, Michaelis is driven by her love for the game.
Like most people who reach the top of their profession, there is a passion for what she does.
"I really love the game," Michaelis said.
That sums up Michaelis: she loves what she does and the people around her.
"She is just an outstanding person. She is probably a better person than she is a coach and that is saying something," said Brett Pyne, Director of Media Relations for the volleyball team. |
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