Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
HOLLADAY — Highland High School rugby coach Larry Gelwix was portrayed as a tough, yet compassionate mentor in the movie "Forever Strong." Now he's is getting ready for the sequel — but this time around the plot will be quite different.
At his home, Larry Gelwix has a trophy case filled with stories. Among the trophies and medals is one from this year's national rugby championship — his 20th with Highland High School.
Larry even has the plaque from Highland's first season back in 1975. "Little did we know what the future held for the Highland rugby team," he said.
Little did Larry, or his wife Kathy, know he'd coach the Rams for 36 years.
"The only way that he is going to retire is to be 6 feet under or move," Kathy said.
Moving it is. Back in February, Larry received a call to serve as mission president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"We opened that letter and we read ‘California Fresno Mission.' Now, I'll tell you something happened right there," Larry recalled. "The Lord wanted us in the California Fresno Mission and, you know, we both had that feeling: ‘That's where I want to go!'"
Larry and Kathy will leave June 26, following five days of intense training in the Provo's Missionary Training Center. They leave their Holladay home with a great deal of excitement and optimism, but will still carry a little bit of rugby in their veins.
"Oh, I think the situation is gonna be different," Larry said. "I don't know how many laps around the chapel I'll send the missionaries (on)."
Larry and Kathy will oversee roughly 200 missionaries in Fresno — coincidentally the same number of rugby players he coached every year.
So, as one door closes, another one will open. Instead of coaching great athletes, the two hope to inspire great missionaries.
"Our hearts, our minds, our energy, our intention will all be on the California Fresno Mission and inviting people to come to Christ," Larry said.
"We can't wait to meet them," he added, "shake their hands and tell them, ‘We are so glad to be here with you!'"
Larry and Kathy won't be the only ones from the Gelwix family serving a mission. They have a son currently serving in Canada.
Email: kaiken@ksl.com
