Change people's lives at home and around the world
January 2018
Six-foot-ten-inch Jake Langlois had no idea that he would one day play professional volleyball. Growing up, he spent more time on the soccer pitch and the golf course than the volleyball court. But when he grew six inches the summer before his freshman year at BYU, he decided he’d try out for a “tall sport” and walked on to the BYU men’s volleyball team.
His first positions on the team were team manager, ball boy, and scorekeeper. He witnessed many other team managers give up. He says, “Having zero expectations helped me stay positive,” so he stuck it out. Finally, having never played a professional match in his life, he made the team.
Proving himself to be an asset to the BYU team, he earned the Brent and Cheri Andrus Athletic Scholarship. During his time on the BYU men’s volleyball team, he helped lead the team to three conference titles and two national championship matches. As a senior in the 2016–17 season, Langlois ranked sixth in the nation for aces, received MPSF All-Academic accolades, and was named AVCA First-Team All-American and All-MPSF First Team. He finished with the second most aces in BYU history—95.
Besides being a natural volleyball campion, Langlois is also a natural leader. “He does a good job helping to lead the team with positivity,” teammate Leo W. Durkin says. “He’s just super assertive and a dominant force out there. He’s a guy you can really trust when you’re out on the court.”
Langlois now plays professional volleyball for Team USA.
Read more of his story at BYU Magazine.
“Our men’s and women’s basketball teams have been very successful, and this new facility will certainly enhance both programs,” says Tom Holmoe, BYU’s athletic director. “We would like to express our appreciation to the BYU administration, the board of trustees, and the many donors who have made this project a reality - particularly Ruth and Rex Maughan who made a generous lead gift.”
For Isaac Rex, the reality of playing football for BYU was better than anything he’d ever imagined.
Last year was kind of a tale of two seasons. The first was a very joyful and rewarding experience with our student-athletes, coaches, and teams playing so well. And the other was the cancellation of our spring season.” –Tom Holmoe, BYU Athletic Director
