'One of the best people that I ever met': Remembering the late BYU patriarch Ralph Haws

PROVO — The patriarch of BYU basketball has died.

Ralph Haws, the grandfather of current BYU guard TJ Haws, BYU all-time leading scorer Tyler Haws, and the father of former BYU great Marty Haws, died Sunday night after health complications related to old age, as first reported on BYUtv.

A fixture courtside at BYU basketball games and nearly every practice until his health declined late in life, Ralph Haws was a passionate supporter of BYU athletics.

He was also a devoted father and family man.

In one of the most important acts of his Cougar career (and more importantly, life), TJ Haws named his first-born son — a 6-pound, 15-ounce baby — after his grandfather, Tyson Ralph Haws.

The baby was born to the younger Haws brother/son/grandson and his wife Lauren on Sunday, Feb. 2, at American Fork Hospital, just hours after his father nailed a game-winner to beat Saint Mary’s, 81-79 in Provo.

The game-winner that skyrocketed BYU’s season to its current status as the No. 15 team in the latest AP Top 25 was a cool moment. But Sunday was even more special, Haws later said on Twitter.

“Last night was truly amazing!” TJ Haws wrote shortly after his son’s birth. “But for Lauren and me, today was even better.”

A dedicated fan of BYU men’s basketball — Ralph Haws is remembered as a devout family man and passionate supporter of the Cougars. His son Marty, a 6-foot-2 guard from Midvale, played for the Cougars from 1984-90, set the initial program record of 123 games played during his four-year BYU career. A first-team All-Western Athletic Conference selection as a senior, Marty Haws ranks 24th in program history with 1,337 career points, seventh with 502 assists, and fourth with 182 steals.

His son Tyler is first all-time with 2,720 career points, second with 917 field goals, and first with 137 games played.

Younger brother TJ Haws is the catalyst and starting point guard for this year’s 24-7 Cougars. The BYU iron-man record-holder for most career starts, Haws just passed Danny Ainge’s mark of 4,258 minutes played for third all-time in BYU basketball history. He also ranks first with 131-straight starts, seventh with 1,886 career points, third with 241 3-pointers, second with 586 assists, eighth with 155 steals, and second in total starts — just six behind his older brother for the most all-time.

“Ralph is one of the best people that I ever met,” tweeted former BYU guard Jackson Emery, who also grew up near the Haws clan in Alpine. “Genuine and loving. The world will miss guys like Ralph. Much love and prayers to the Haws family at this time.”

Former BYU basketball standout Kevin Nixon also expressed his condolences to the Haws family.

"I loved Ralph and have and always will cherish our talks, his advice and our friendship," Nixon wrote on Twitter. "We knew this day was coming but it still hurts. He made it through the season, now he gets a front row seat for the postseason."

Ralph Haws' legacy extended beyond basketball, too.

"Grandpa Ralph was a cool cat and a good dude," said former Timpview offensive lineman Xavier Su'a-Fila, who currently plays for the Dallas Cowboys. "Rest easy! Love you all."

Added former Mountain Crest star Alex Kuresa, who went on to play at BYU, Snow College and Portland State: "We love you Papa Ralph. I wish my kids could have had more time to enjoy you here on earth, but I'm grateful to know that they’ll still be able to feel the same love I was always given by you.

"And that stats can still be kept from heaven."

In a similar Instagram post, Tyler Haws also praised "Grandpa Ralph" for his inspiration and teaching him the game that took him to a professional career in the United States, Canada and Europe.

"I have so many tender and special memories with my grandpa starting from a very young age," Haws wrote. "He has had such a profound impact on my life; it’s hard to picture life without him. He has blessed so many lives on his journey and developed such amazing relationships. Thank you Grandpa for all your love, kindness, support, example, and time you gave to me in your life. I love you. You’ll always be in my heart."

TJ Haws likely won’t be the last Ralph Haws progenitor to don a BYU uniform. Head coach Mark Pope even admitted as much.

“I’m excited to recruit his child,” Pope said prior to Tyson Ralph’s birth. “Because his child in the womb has experienced some really fun things and is going to be ready to go.”

Tyson Ralph Haws in a BYU uniform?

No one will argue with that.

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