The Many Sides of LaVell

Everyone who knew LaVell recognized that he had both a great sense of humor and a deep love for people. His sideline demeanor usually included a frown, but that was only, as he joked, because he had forgotten to tell his face to smile.

Even when he wasn’t trying LaVell could be funny. About once a month he’d pull a roll of stamps from his old desk in the Smith Fieldhouse and start making out checks to pay his bills. One particular day he responded to a request for a donation from Holy Cross hospital in Salt Lake City. About a week later, an envelope containing the check he had sent was returned by the hospital staff with an explanation that they were afraid “they couldn’t cash it.” Upon closer examination, LaVell had made the check out to the “Holy Ghost” by accident. And we had always wondered how he was able to control the weather…

Of course, not all of life, even with LaVell around, could be funny. One of the most tender moments we had over the years at the office was when John Farley was one of our graduate assistants.  Everyone liked him and enjoyed working with him. John was from Hawaii and had a contagious smile and enthusiasm.

One day we were told that had just been diagnosed with cancer.  LaVell called all the full-time coaches together to explain the situation. They all held the priesthood except for Coach French, who isn’t LDS.  Gathered in LaVell's office, including Coach French who was observing, they gave John a priesthood blessing. It was beautiful. Unfortunately, John left us far too soon be he often expressed how grateful he was to everyone involved that day and for the calming peace it helped bring to him.