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Ryan S. clarke
multiple authors
Laila Edwards has two NCAA national championships, an IIHF World Championship title and a new Olympic gold medal. But there is no banner of his on the roof of the Cleveland Heights Community Center ice rink in Northeast Ohio, where he learned to play hockey.
That’s about to change.
A Cleveland Heights city official told ESPN that Edwards, who made hockey history as the first Black woman to play for the United States women’s national team in 2023, will have a banner installed on the roof of the community center rink in her honor.
“We want to make other considerations within the rink to honor his accomplishments and we are in conversation with his father,” said Christopher Kendell, assistant commissioner of parks and recreation for the city of Cleveland Heights. “We want to get his Team USA jerseys and some replicas of his jerseys in Wisconsin, because he has played in three national championships with Wisconsin, winning two of them.”
Edwards, a native of Cleveland Heights, grew up playing hockey against boys at the Cleveland Heights Community Center. At the age of 13, he left home to play hockey and enrolled at Bishop Kearney High School, a private school in Rochester, New York. He then signed with Wisconsin and, as a 6-foot-1 senior forward, helped the Badgers win two national championships.
As the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics approach, awareness of them has increased. He played an important role in sports United States comeback win against Canada in overtime to win gold medal.
Because most of his greatest moments have occurred far from Cleveland Heights, there has been no direct representation of his success inside the rink, especially in comparison to other athletes who have won hockey tournaments over the past 50-plus years.
Two other Cleveland Heights natives — and Edwards fans — took notice this week.
Layla Edwards wins gold medal…but does she have a AA banner at the Cleveland Heights hockey rink? ???😅
New episode out now!!!https://t.co/f7dboxtg4v pic.twitter.com/zZdHzWTV7T
– New Heights (@newheightshow) 25 February 2026
Jason Kelce, ex philadelphia eagles The offensive lineman and his brother travis kelsA kansas city chiefs The tight end made the observation while wearing a Team USA jersey during an episode of his “New Heights” podcast.
“The best athlete in Cleveland Heights,” the older Kelce brother said, referencing what Edwards said to his wife on Kylie Kelce’s podcast, “Not Gonna Lie,” during the Olympics.
Younger Kelsey had some ideas.
“Layla, I put up two banners at the Cleveland Heights hockey rink,” Travis said with a smile. “I’m not sure how many banners you have.”
Of course, the banners Travis Kelce mentioned were from when he played on two championship-winning youth hockey teams.
But now? Edwards will have a banner – and possibly more.
“I tell you what, man, he’s got a f–ing shot,” Travis Kelce said.
The Kelsey brothers talked about what it was like to spend time with Edwards and how her humility was a testament to her growing up in Cleveland Heights.
Travis Kelce said, “Hats off to Layla again for bringing home some gold not only for America but for Old Heights, baby.” “Because you know how proud we will all be when you grow up in the heights.”
Kendall said the Cleveland Heights Community Center hosted two viewing parties for people to watch Edwards and Team USA. The first was for Team USA’s opening game against Finland, and the second was for the gold medal win over Canada in which Edwards set up Hilary Knight for the game-tying goal late in the third period.
“We couldn’t be more proud,” Kendall said. “I know the mayor posted on social media that when the time is right, the city of Cleveland Heights wants to roll out the red carpet for Layla and her family. What will that look like? We don’t know yet. But, in the meantime, we’re going to design this banner, and we want to keep it for posterity, along with some other things we want to see come to fruition.”
Edwards is a frequent visitor to the community center. She purchased a monthly gym membership so she could use the center’s workout equipment during school breaks.
But now, with the creation of banners, will AdWords get a free lifetime subscription?
“Well, you know, I’ll advocate for it!” Kendall said laughing. “We should probably make it a gold membership pass. The only requirement is you have to be a gold medalist.”
