Cleveland Heights Celebrates Hometown Hero

Laila Edwards boasts two NCAA national championships, an IIHF World Championship title, and a fresh Olympic gold medal. Soon, the Cleveland Heights Community Center ice rink, where she first laced up her skates, will display a banner in her honor in the rafters.

Edwards made history in 2023 as the first Black woman to play for the United States women’s national hockey team. Christopher Kendel, assistant commissioner of parks and recreation for Cleveland Heights, confirms plans to raise the banner. “There are other ideas we want to do within the rink to honor her accomplishments, and we’ve been having that conversation with her dad,” Kendel states. “We want to get some replicas of her Team USA jersey and her jersey at Wisconsin, as she has played in three national championships with Wisconsin, winning two of them.”

From Local Rink to Global Stage

A Cleveland Heights native, Edwards honed her skills playing against boys at the community center rink. At age 13, she moved to Rochester, New York, to attend Bishop Kearney High School and pursue competitive hockey. She later joined the University of Wisconsin, where the 6-foot-1 senior forward contributed to two national titles.

As the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics approached, Edwards’ profile soared. She played a pivotal role in the U.S. team’s overtime comeback victory over Canada, securing gold by assisting Hilary Knight on the game-tying goal late in the third period.

Kelce Brothers Spotlight the Oversight

Two fellow Cleveland Heights natives—Jason Kelce, former Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman, and Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs tight end—highlighted the missing recognition during a recent episode of their “New Heights” podcast. Wearing Team USA jerseys, they noted Edwards’ lack of banners compared to past local champions.

“Best athlete out of Cleveland Heights,” Jason remarked, echoing Edwards’ comments on Kylie Kelce’s podcast “Not Gonna Lie.” Travis added with a grin, “I’m just gonna say, Laila, I’ve got two banners up in the Cleveland Heights hockey rink. I’m not sure how many banners you have.” His banners stem from youth hockey tournament wins, but Edwards now claims her own—and more.

Travis praised her potential: “I’ll tell you what, man, she has a f—ing shot.” The brothers also commended her humility, a hallmark of Heights upbringing. “Shoutout to Laila one more time for bringing home some gold not only for the USA but for the old Heights, baby,” Travis said. “Because you know how proud we all are once you grow up in the Heights.”

Community Pride and Future Honors

The Cleveland Heights Community Center hosted two viewing parties for Edwards and Team USA: one for the opening game against Finland and another for the gold-medal clincher over Canada. “We couldn’t be prouder,” Kendel shares. The mayor has expressed plans to roll out the red carpet for Edwards and her family when the time is right.

Edwards frequently returns to the center, holding a monthly gym membership for workouts during school breaks. Kendel jokes about upgrading her to a lifetime “golden membership pass,” reserved for gold medal winners, with a laugh: “Well, you know, I would advocate for that! We should probably make it a golden membership pass. The only requirement is you have to be a gold medal winner.”