BYU NewsNet - Edwards and Others Honored

While growing up on a farm 10 miles north of BYU, young LaVell Edwards would sneak into the south end of Cougar stadium and watch the football games, hoping one day he would be involved with football.

"I never thought I would be coaching at the college level," Edwards said.

He did just that for 29 years as BYU's head football coach.

On Friday evening, Sept. 22, 2006, Edwards was inducted into the BYU Athletics Hall of Fame. Two years ago, Edwards was inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, but Edwards said Saturday night's induction was more meaningful to him.

"I think when it is done in your home where you work, it has more of a significant meaning," Edwards said.

Edwards took the reigns of the BYU football team in 1972. When he was hired, the Cougars had compiled 173 victories over the previous 49 seasons. By his retirement in 2000, Edwards recorded 257 wins, ranking him as the sixth all-time winningest coach in college football history.

Among his many memorable on-field moments, Edwards said the ones that stick out the most are the National Championship, the first bowl game, the first bowl victory (now dubbed the "Miracle Bowl") and the many victories against Utah, especially his first and last.

During the Edwards era, BYU seemed to always beat its in-state rival Utah. He compiled a 22-7 record against the Utes. Since his retirement, the Cougars have gone 1-4, including a four game losing streak.

Over the 29 seasons, Edwards coached four College Football Hall of Fame inductees, a Heisman Trophy winner, seven Sammy Baugh winners, two Outland Trophy winners, five Davey O'Brien Trophy winners, 34 All-Americans, including 10 consensus All-American performers, 11 conference player-of-the-year recipients and 24 Academic All-America player citations.

Five football seasons have passed since Edwards last coached, yet people still ask him if he misses coaching. He simply replies, "No." More than all the awards and accomplishments, there are more important things in life, including relationships, Edwards said.

"The one thing that has always been the most important thing in my life...has always been about relationships," Edwards said. "Everything I have ever tried to do and been involved in has always been about people and those you are working with."

Others inductees included:

* Jason Pyrah, men's track and field/cross country. Pyrah was a six-time All-American at BYU where he competed on the cross-country and track and field teams in 1987 and from 1991-1994. He won six WAC championship titles in the 800-and 1500-meters.

After finishing his career at BYU, Pyrah went on to a 10-year professional career. During his pro career, he ran in two summer Olympics and ran 30 sub-four-minute miles.

*Darren Elg, Men's gymnastics. As a freshman, Elg won the WAC title on the floor exercise and placed fifth on the high bar at the NCAA championships, earning him an All-America award.

After serving a mission, Elg returned to excellence. In 1993, he once again won a conference championship. Additionally, he had top five finishes in the parallel bars and high bar, earning him two more All-America citations.

In his senior season, Elg won the Nissen Award given annually to the nation's top gymnast. Moreover, he finished the season third in the all-around for his seventh All-America citation.

* Ethan Watts, Men's volleyball. Watts is the first men's volleyball player in the BYU Athletics Hall of Fame. He was named to the WIVA All-Freshman team. As a sophomore, he ranked second nationally in blocks per game and earned honorable mention All-American status. In his junior season, he lead the nation in hitting percentage and was a second team All-American. He earned first team All-American status as a senior, leading the nation in hitting percentage.

His volleyball career continued after college, playing in Italy and on the 1996 U.S. Olympic team.

* Charlene Johnson, Women's volleyball. Johnson accumulating many awards and accolades. They included WAC Freshman of the Year, All-WAC citations four times and received four All-America citations. She is also the only women's volleyball player in BYU history to earn All-Region status each of her four years at BYU.

After college, Johnson played professionally for two years in Switzerland and Italy. She also played for the U.S. National Team for five years, including a fourth-place finish at the 2000 Summer Olympics. She is currently is assistant coach at the University of Nebraska.