░J░U░S░T░ ░I░N░: “𝙈𝙊𝙍𝙀 𝙏𝙃𝘼𝙉 𝙅𝙐𝙎𝙏 𝘼 𝙉𝘼𝙈𝙀” — Kalani Sitake Welcomes Baby Boy in Emotional Tribute to BYU Legend, Cougar Nation Deeply Moved 🍼💙
August 5, 2025 — Provo, Utah
In a moment that transcends sports and strikes at the heart of legacy, faith, and love, BYU Head Coach Kalani Sitake announced the birth of his new baby boy, and in doing so, offered a deeply emotional tribute to one of the most beloved figures in Cougar football history.
The name?
“LaVell Kealakai Sitake.”
A name that instantly sent waves of sentiment through Cougar Nation.
> “It’s more than just a name,” Kalani said, voice shaking with emotion during a press conference at the Student Athlete Building. “It’s a promise. A mantle. A legacy I pray my son will carry with the same humility, strength, and spirit as the man he’s named after.”
🕊 Honoring a Legend
The name “LaVell” is, of course, a powerful tribute to LaVell Edwards, the legendary BYU coach who transformed the Cougars into a national powerhouse and touched countless lives through his mentorship, leadership, and quiet wisdom.
Kalani, who once played under Edwards and later became the first Polynesian head coach in BYU history, often credits LaVell with shaping his philosophy—not only as a coach, but as a father and man.
> “When I was a young walk-on linebacker at BYU, LaVell saw something in me. He believed in me before I believed in myself,” Sitake reflected. “This name is a way of telling him, and the world, thank you.”
The child’s middle name, Kealakai, means “pathway of the sea” in Hawaiian—a nod to Kalani’s Polynesian heritage and a symbol of spiritual guidance, honoring both his ancestry and the journey of purpose he hopes for his son.
👶 Baby LaVell Arrives to a Wave of Support
Born at 3:14 a.m. at Utah Valley Hospital, baby LaVell weighed 7 lbs. 9 oz. Mother Timberly and the newborn are reportedly healthy, resting, and surrounded by love.
Within minutes of the announcement, tributes poured in across social media:
“I’m not crying, YOU’RE crying. What a beautiful name and moment.” – @CougarFaithful
“Kalani is the heart of BYU. Naming his son after LaVell is a full-circle moment.” – @BlueBlooded
“LaVell would be proud. That legacy lives on, not just in the stadium name, but now in the Sitake family.” – @BYUSportsFanatic
🏟 A Deeper Connection
Current BYU players reportedly wore special wristbands at practice today with the initials L.K.S. and the phrase “More Than Just a Name” written in marker—a spontaneous team tribute to their coach’s moment and the program’s roots.
Senior linebacker and team captain Isaiah Kaufusi said it best:
> “Coach always tells us we’re part of something bigger. Today, we all felt that. LaVell Edwards shaped BYU, and now that legacy is literally continuing through our coach’s family. It’s beautiful.”
💬 The Final Word
As Kalani Sitake stood at the podium, holding a framed photo of LaVell Edwards in one hand and a pair of baby Cougar booties in the other, he left the room with one powerful message:
> “LaVell once told me, ‘It’s not about wins and losses. It’s about lifting others.’
Today, my wife and I were lifted.
And today, my son carries a name I hope reminds us all who we are, and what we’re meant to become.”
From locker rooms to living rooms across Cougar Nation, one thing is certain: baby LaVell has already made history. 💙
