Elaine Michaelis
April 18, 1938 — April 2, 2025
Elaine Michaelis, age 86, passed away peacefully in her sleep the morning of April 2, 2025 in Orem, Utah.
Elaine was born on April 18, 1938 in Tremonton Utah to Arthur Ralph and Leatha (Corbett) Michaelis. She was the second of three children. She attended Garland Elementary through the 8th grade and then Bear River High School from where she graduated in 1956.
Success in sports came naturally for Elaine. Living her teenage years during a time prior to women’s sports programs in high school, she honed her basketball skills by practicing with a group of six young men at her dad’s grain mill that the family called “the feed store” each day. Her younger brother would later recall, “She was better than any of us boys”. During her youth Elaine regularly joined her dad, who called her “darling daughter”, in making the 120-mile drive from Garland to attend BYU football and men’s basketball games. The basketball games took place in the Smith Fieldhouse on a court which in 2005 was named “Elaine Michaelis Court” in her honor.
She attended Brigham Young University from 1956 to 1962 where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical education.
Upon graduating from BYU, Elaine accepted a job teaching P.E. at South High School in Salt Lake City, Utah. Soon after, BYU called the high school and asked if they would be willing to accept an alternate P.E. teacher from BYU so the university could hire Elaine. South High agreed and Elaine’s contributions to BYU women’s athletics began.
Over the subsequent five decades, Elaine enjoyed a wonderful and rewarding career contributing to the success of BYU women’s athletics and women’s collegiate sports in general. A pioneer in women’s athletics, she served on many national committees.
As BYU’s women’s volleyball coach for 40 years, she retired as the all-time leader in victories among female coaches in collegiate volleyball at any level with 886 wins. Overall, her teams won 23 conference titles.
She was inducted into many halls of fame, including the Utah Sports Hall of Fame and the BYU Hall of Fame.
More important than winning, Elaine valued the character of her players and programs and the relationships she formed with athletes, fellow coaches and administrators.
Elaine had many interests outside of her role in college sports, but none more important to her than her family. “Aunt Elaine,” as she was known to her nieces and nephews, was a staple at family events where she took an active role in their lives.
Elaine also enjoyed spending time with and traveling with her lifelong dear friends, Lou Wallace and Mary Gay Hatch.
A faithful and lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elaine had a deep love and testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She served in various capacities in her local congregation. She also served on the Young Women’s General Board from 1971 to 1973 and the General Church Activities Committee from 1982 – 1986.
Elaine is survived by her younger brother Arthur Lynn (Carolyn) Michaelis and numerous multi-generations of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Max Corbett (Mary) Michaelis.
Funeral services will be Thursday, April 10, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lakeview 8th Ward building located at 155 W 1600 S Orem. Viewings will be Wednesday, April 9, from 6-8 p.m. at the same location and Thursday morning from 9:30 am to 10:30 am also at the church.
Interment will be at the Garland Utah Cemetery.
Condolences and a full obituary can be found at SundbergOlpinMortuary.com.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Arthur Ralph and Leatha Corbett Michaelis Endowed Volleyball Athletic Scholarship. Endowment number: 72613090