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Overview
The President of the United States Rugby Foundation, Brian Vizard, interviews Larry Gelwix, the legendary "Winningest Coach in America." Explore Gelwix's incredible 35-year coaching career at Highland High School, where he achieved a staggering 418-10 record and 20 national championships. Hear about the making of "Forever Strong," the film inspired by his coaching philosophy, and Gelwix's significant contributions to USA Rugby administration and youth rugby development. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in coaching excellence and the growth of American rugby.
Show Notes
0:53 - Larry, what we like to do with all of our honorees is we like to get a little bit background on their upbringing. So tell us about your upbringing. Where did you grow up? What sports did you play as a kid and in high school?
2:27 - Now, you were a pretty good football player in high school and wrestler in high school. Did you get any looks from any colleges in those sports?
4:29 - Now, what made you go to BYU? What were the deciding factors to attend there?
6:40 - From BYU, accepted a position as a teacher at a seminary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, which was close to Highland High School. You became an assistant coach for the varsity football team and also coached wrestling there in the winter. What inspired you to become a coach, and why did you select Highland?
10:19 - Larry, did the Highland Rugby team enjoy immediate success or were there some bumps in those early years?
12:06 - For those who don't know, you built a dynasty at Highland. Highland was the Utah state champ 36 years in a row. You also won 20 USA Rugby national high school championship titles. What was your key to successes through all those years?
20:38 - Most rugby enthusiasts know that the movie forever strong was about you and the Highland program. How did that opportunity come about? Did you get a call from someone in Hollywood, walk us throughout that whole process and what your role was in making a movie?
27:38 - Speaking of the players, were there any current or former players in the movie?
33:21 - You mentioned no regrets as one of the team mottos. Another salute to you was the 2012 Emmy award winning documentary Larry Gelwix's No Regrets. What did that documentary focus on? Was it about you there?
34:37 - Of all those 20 national championship teams, is there one or two that stand out a little bit more than the rest?
37:08 - You took the Highland team to new Zealand and Tonga. What tours provided you with the fondest memories? And how valuable were these tours for your players and coaches?
45:28 - After your coaching career at Highlander, maybe during you refereed and you also had some administrative posts with Utah and the Pacific coast, what were some of those responsibilities you had there?
47:34 - Now, though you've retired from active coaching, you still communicate with your former players and others on a fairly regular basis. What are these communications consist of, and when did this tradition start?
51:13 - Larry, you've been around a rugby for a long time. Of all your rugby memories and accomplishments, are there one or two that stand above the rest?
55:06 - What does it mean to you to be inducted in the US Rugby Hall of Fame?
Wrap Up
The episode covered Larry Gelwix, known as the "Winningest Coach in America" for his extraordinary career at Highland High School. His record of 418 wins and 10 losses over 35 years, along with 20 national championships, established him as a rugby coaching legend. Beyond his coaching success, Gelwix made significant contributions to USA Rugby administration and youth rugby development, leaving an indelible mark on the sport in America.
