The University of Utah volleyball team no doubt missed the presence of Emillie Toone on the court last season.
But the Latter-day Saints Athletes Association at the Salt Lake University Institute of Religion didn't have to manage without its president, someone faculty adviser Terry Baker refers to as a "spiritual giant."
Toone, a 6-foot-7 all-Mountain West Conference first-team selection in 2006, was second in the country in blocks during her junior season. But a knee injury kept the American Fork High product on the sidelines in 2007. The recovery has coincided with her first year as president of the LDSAA, an organization that exists to meet the spiritual and social needs of athletes at the University of Utah.
Baker, a former Utah athlete and current faculty member at the university institute, started the organization in 2004. According to Baker, the organization provides a fellowship for athletes, promotes social and spiritual activities, and serves as a mentor program for young LDS athletes.
"We want parents to know that when their kids choose to come to the University of Utah, their kids are going to be taken care of spiritually," Baker said.
Toone is the organization's third president, following football players Cody Sorenson and Jim Christensen. Her current committee includes Kevin Freestone (football), Clint Mower (football), Brent Hawker (cheer squad), McKay Badger (tennis) and Kate Robison (volleyball).
"I don't really consider myself a president because these guys are so supportive," she said.
The organization has about 110 members. Football players represent roughly half, according to Baker, and 32 returned missionaries are in the LDSAA.
Toone said her duties include activity planning, a few meetings and a lot of communication. The activities range from corn mazes to firesides, and they're meant to enhance what Toone calls the "big community" of Utah athletics.
"We want (athletes) to come to the institute and get away from school and the stress of the sport," she said. "Our institute is amazing, and it's helped me to get to know more athletes, not just LDS athletes ... and get to be better friends with each team."
As far as her own athletic career is concerned, Toone, an exercise and sports science major, said she'll be back to full strength later this month. The 2003 Deseret Morning News first-team high school all-state selection can then begin preparing for her college senior season without limitations.
Her efforts off the court this past year, however, have been rewarding.
"Even though we're not a church school, we have one of the greatest institutes in the world, and it's great to be a part of that," she said.
E-mail: ashill@desnews.com