When approached for the first time to give a Byu devotion, Kalani Sitake was not sure about it.
But one of his heroes quickly helped do it fully on board and behind the microphone.
“At the beginning, I hesitated a little to (speak), then they said:” Well, Laverm (Edwards) did it“Said Sitake to journalists on Tuesday afternoon. “And I said,” Ok, if you want me to do it, then just say that Lavell did it and I will do it. “… that’s why I go to some of the events there, because Laverll started it and it was a large part of that. I want to be and I want to do exactly like him, and he did it in the right way.
Sitake addressed nearly 8,000 participants in the Marriott Center on Tuesday morning as a speaker assigned to the devotion of the weekly campus of Byu, where he shared A message of love and the plan of God for his children.
“I really enjoyed it,” said Sitake. “It was really cool for me to review things and think about what I wanted to say to students. I’m so relieved now that it’s over with it, I was so nervous about it. I was so nervous, but I was excited for the opportunity.
“It was very fun, however, and I appreciate all the students who arise, our whole team is there and all our staff. It was really cool for me to have my family and the team there. »»
Sitake joins Edwards as only cougar football coaches in the history of the program to be tabuated as a devotion speaker. Edwards spoke twice – once as an active coach in 1976and still in 2001 After his retirement.
He also spoke at the general conference in the middle of the BYU national championship season in 1984.
Other notable sports figures byu to speak in a framework of devotion to the campus include the sports director Tom Holmoe 2006associate ad chad lewis in 2014 and the chief coach of the female golf course Carrie Roberts 2019among others.
“I think it was great to just be able to show a little vulnerability in whom I am, and that I also have difficulties,” said Sitake. “I hope that (the public) can perhaps connect to what I had to say. I hope I have done a job well enough by the teacher so that people can apply it to their own life.
“It was an honor, and I appreciated the experience, then after that, I felt even better, but I mean, it was pleasant to be able to talk about God, football, the wonderful expiation that is in my life and that I can be just who I am really cool for me.”
Sitake Safety byu Tanner wall and wide receiver Chase Roberts To give the opening and closing prayers to devotion.
“Chase and I were super grateful to be part of this experience today, Kalani being the devotional speaker,” said Wall. “It was excited.
“(University) The vice-president (Keith) Vorkink told us that it was probably the biggest crowd they had for devotion this year, so I am happy that the whole cougar nation presented itself to listen to Coach today and hear his message and his stories. I loved all the things he shared. »»
While Roberts was preparing to pray, technical difficulties led to the deactivation of the microphone, delaying the blessing for a few moments – with which Sitake had fun with his star receiver.
“The microphone came out in pursuit, and I just said to him,” It’s adversity. You have to understand it ” he said, laughing. “I was ready for the fact that prayer, but honestly, seeing all the coaches with my family, seeing all the players right in front of me, it was really cool.
“I am so grateful that I can train these guys and I can be with them and work alongside them. It was a really cool experience. I hope everyone will have the opportunity to (make a devotion). Maybe you can volunteer so that you never come back to me again.
