BYU Director of Sports Medicine Gaye Merrill Passes Away

PROVO -- Longtime BYU athletic trainer Gaye Merrill passed away Monday evening following a valiant fight with cancer. During her nearly 30 years at BYU, Merrill was involved in both teaching and clinical work. Although she enjoyed being in the classroom, her first love was helping the hundreds of BYU student-athletes she served through the years.

“We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague Gaye Merrill,” said BYU director of athletics Tom Holmoe. “We will miss her and the wonderful contributions she made to our department, our teams and especially the lives of our student-athletes.”

Merrill received a bachelor's degree from BYU in 1978 and went on to receive a master's degree in athletic training from Indiana University the following year. She got her first job as an assistant athletic trainer at Pittsburgh State University, where she worked for two years before being hired by BYU in 1981.

While at BYU, Merrill served in a variety of capacities. In addition to serving as an athletic trainer for numerous sports, she worked as the undergraduate athletic training curriculum director from 1995-2000. Merrill was also involved in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, serving on the Salt Lake Organizing Committee as the athletes medical care coordinator.

In 2005, Merrill was named the BYU Director of Sports Medicine. In addition to running the Sports Medicine Department, Merrill continued to serve as athletic trainer for several sports including women's volleyball and gymnastics. In fall 2009, BYU President Cecil O. Samuelson announced that Merrill had earned the faculty rank of clinical professor.

Merrill was an active member of several professional organizations including the Utah Athletic Trainers Association, Rocky Mountain Athletic Trainers Association and the National Athletic Trainers Association. Over her distinguished career she was the recipient of numerous awards including the NATA Trainer Service Award (2004), the NATA 25 Year Award (2002), the RMATA Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award (2009) and the UATA Collegiate Athletic Trainer Award (2001). In addition, her staff was named the 2008 Mountain West Conference Sports Medicine Staff of the Year.

A native of Blackfoot, Idaho, Merrill traveled all over the world serving as athletic trainer for many organizations including the U.S. National Swimming Team. She loved to participate in outdoor sports, ride horses and read.

Shortly after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, the women’s volleyball team showed their support for Merrill by wearing a pink bracelet for the season with the phrase “Be Tough” printed on it. In response to the gesture Merrill commented, “I was very touched. It’s humbling because you want to be a good role model and a good influence on the people you work with. I hope I have been able to be that for them.”

Gaye Merrill was certainly a great role model and influence for all she came in contact with through the years. She will be missed.

Click here to read her obituary in the Deseret News.

Click here to read her blog.