TULSA, Okla. - Amy Edwards had made the trip to Tulsa many times in her four years in Spokane but the trip Wednesday was a new experience. The Gonzaga University women's soccer head coach boarded the Southwest flight Wednesday, heading to Tulsa, Oklahoma via Denver, with a little more baggage.

Edwards, along with 20 players and five staff members, left bright and early and arrived in Edwards' hometown midday in preparation to play her alma mater, and the program she coached for four years, the University of Tulsa.

"There certainly was a large amount of excitement coming back to Tulsa," stated Edwards, who is in her fifth year at Gonzaga. "There was also a lot of anxiety heading into the trip; it being a long trip - five days - and having family and friends that want my time but now that we are here and settled in, the fun of what this trip is about has begun."

In her 15-year coaching career since leaving Tulsa in 1999, Edwards has not returned with a team until this weekend. Well, she and the University of Missouri women's soccer team drove through town twice during her tenure as associate head coach, but never played against Tulsa; each time stopping the bus outside her parent's house for a home cooked meal before hitting the road for their next opponent.

Edwards again had the bus maneuvering the neighborhood streets of Broken Arrow - a suburb of Tulsa - to her mom and dad's house for a delicious barbeque meal. On the way, she pointed out her childhood home, one associate head coach Derek Pittman hadn't ever seen in their friendship that spans nearly 20 years, and showed the team the open grass field she would head over to and practice soccer on while growing up.

She was overjoyed to be able to show her players where she grew up and for them to meet her family.

"Dinner was incredible," stated Edwards of the meal that consisted of barbeque chicken, brisket and ribs. "My parents couldn't say enough great things about the players; how polite and well-mannered they are and that meant a lot. I know our players' families but now they know more about me and got to meet mine."

After dinner was over and the players mingled in the kitchen, it was Edwards' father Lynn that spilled exciting news that seemed to open the team's eyes to how special and important Tulsa was to their coach and she to Tulsa. With each of the player's attention he told them that in a little over a week Edwards would be inducted into the Tulsa Athletic Hall of Fame.

A round of applause and cheers erupted to the secret that Edwards had kept.

The reminiscing and history lessons continued for the players Thursday with their first training session at Tulsa prior to their Friday match.

Edwards and Pittman, who also played and coached at Tulsa and is from Owasso, Oklahoma, a suburb of Tulsa, pointed out the fraternity house Pittman belonged to and the sorority house Edwards lived in. Pittman also showed them the football stadium, one he played on as a back-up kicker his final year. The players themselves found the Hall of Fame wall and showed Edwards where her picture will be after the induction ceremony next weekend.

"The past two days has been a really good opportunity for the players to learn more about us," Edwards said. "They didn't know Derek was a back-up punter his fifth year in college and he was able to tell them about that experience. They had no clue we were in a sorority and fraternity and we each pointed out the others house to them. We also got to show them how much TU has changed since we left."

As much as the players have enjoyed learning about their coaches, Edwards and Pittman both have enjoyed reconnecting with the past.

"I had an old coach come out to training today and it was awesome to see him," stated Edwards of the man who coached her as a youth and at Tulsa. "That is where the fun comes in."

Edwards also saw a picture of Dale McNamara, a former golf legend at Tulsa, which sparked a ton of emotion. The former coach, who won two national championships while at Tulsa and coached Nancy Lopez, was a pioneer in Title IX, and mentor for Edwards.

"Seeing the pictures of Dale brought back a lot," said Edwards. "She told me to never apologize for being a female athlete and a female coach and that I was going to make lots of mistakes early in my coaching career, but to not make them twice. She was my female coach role model and I wouldn't be where I am today without her words of advice. I admired her and wanted to emulate her."

With all the flashback of memories, Edwards knows that match time is right around the corner now and it is time to put her game face on. What she doesn't know is how she and Pittman will react to coaching against their alma mater for the first time.

"It is going to be a struggle to separate some feelings," explained Edwards of facing her former school. "Obviously I am a proud alum, proud of the university and the soccer program but I am here to coach Gonzaga and we are here to compete and win a soccer match. I feel that Derek and I can stay focused on what we are supposed to do and that is to lead the team. It is going to be fun to compete against Tulsa; they are a quality program."

She is thankful that Pittman, who she has known since he took his recruiting trip as a senior in high school to Tulsa nearly 20 years ago, will be by her side in experiencing the day.

"We have a bond that not a lot of people get or understand, or know the depth of it," said Edwards of Pittman who has coached with Edwards at Missouri and joined the Bulldog squad three years ago. "Even some of the players don't know how close we are and that we come from the same place and same background. Friday will be a special moment."

No matter the outcome on Friday, Edwards and Pittman will cherish the memories made this weekend and are thankful Tulsa is part of their past and present.

"Tulsa is a big part of our lives," stated Edwards, who all together spent 11 years of her life as a player, assistant coach or head coach at Tulsa. "We are very excited and proud to share Tulsa with the players. Tulsa is a very special place and continues to be for a lot of college athletes. I am proud of that and proud of setting the foundation that it has built on."