Elaine Michaelis, BYU Women’s Sports Pioneer, Dies At 86
Apr 2, 2025, 3:57 PM | Updated: 4:08 pm
Elaine Michaelis was a former coach and administrator for women's athletics at BYU. (File photo: Stuart Johnson, Deseret News)
(File photo: Stuart Johnson, Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah— Elaine Michaelis, one of the most influential figures in women’s sports at BYU, has passed away.
Michaelis passed away on Wednesday morning. She was 86 years old.
Cougar Nation mourns the loss of former BYU director of women’s intercollegiate athletics, legendary women’s volleyball coach, and first-ballot AVCA Hall of Famer Elaine Michaelis.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Michaelis family at this time. pic.twitter.com/1ft5HEWglc
— BYU Cougars (@BYUCougars) April 2, 2025
Elaine Michaelis passed away at the age of 86
Michaelis was a legendary head coach of the women’s volleyball program at BYU. She compiled a record of 886-225-5 during her 42 seasons as the head coach.
In 2005, BYU honored Michaelis by naming the Smith Fieldhouse court “Elaine Michaelis Court.” She’s one of the few individuals who have had their name placed on an athletic facility at BYU, joining the likes of legendary football coach LaVell Edwards.
Five years ago, Michaelis was inducted into the inaugural American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Hall of Fame. She was one of 23 individuals in the inaugural class.
While Michaelis had an incredible run as women’s volleyball coach, her impact on women’s athletics at BYU has been felt for decades.
Michaelis and former BYU women’s athletic director Lu Wallace pioneered success and opportunities for female athletes at BYU.
After retiring as head coach of the women’s volleyball program in 2002, Michaelis became the women’s athletic director at BYU, a role she held until September of 2004. The following year, BYU merged the athletic department under the direction of current athletic director Tom Holmoe.
Former athlete
Michaelis was a former athlete herself as a BYU student when teams were classified as “extramural” events. She tossed a no-hitter and a perfect game during a doubleheader in Colorado in 1959.
Shortly after her time as an athlete, she was immediately in charge of overseeing the extramural and intramural programs at BYU.
Along with coaching the women’s volleyball program, Michaelis also had stints as the women’s basketball, field hockey, and softball head coach.
Michaelis was at BYU when Title IX was signed into law in 1972. She and Wallace helped bring equality opportunities, from facilities, scholarships, travel accommodations, and overall commitment to female athletes at BYU.
On the 50th anniversary of Title IX, BYU celebrated the event with Michaelis as a keynote speaker.
Long after her career as a coach and administrator at BYU concluded, Michaelis was often seen at BYU women’s sporting events, such as volleyball and basketball.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
