Thank you Dan!!!! Dan was one of the best coaches I ever got to work with in my 15 years here at the newspaper. One of my favorite memories was in the secondseason of Dans tenure. 2010-2015: East Stroudsburg University (Assistant). Because of his devotion to the team as well as to them, girls loved playing the sport. The graduation of their senior class left positions to be filled on the diamond, but plans on putting the pieces together. That may not mean a thing to most, but to a sports department, it was verymuch appreciated. Admiral Perry Hummell was our chief meteorologist and ground man. Softball opening day begins on March 26. One time, Larry Wiser even had the football team rolling it off for us. As others have said above, I am PROUD to call Dan Shofestall a friend. Every game was a strategy session on how to find a weakness in either team. The girls that took advantage of the time were the ones that showed it on the field. La Plume, Pa. - Keystone College head softball coach Alison Ritter knows all about sacrifices, whether it is laying down the sign for one of her players to execute a sacrifice bunt, congratulating one of her players on bringing home a run with a sacrifice fly, or recognizing the sacrifices her players make day-in and day-out as members of an NCAA They mercy ruled 16 out of 18 opponents in the regular plus one more in the playoffs. Im proud to call you my friend!!! Collegiately, Ford played two years at Division II Millersville University from 2017 to 2018, competing in 46 contests with two home runs for the Marauders. Shewas a three-time Louisville Slugger/NFCAAtlantic All-Region Team honoree, earning First Team accolades as a designated player in her freshman year before garnering Third Team accolades at first base in her final two seasons in addition to being named to the CAC All-Conference Team all four seasons. A native of Throop, Pennsylvania, Ford graduated from Mid Valley High School in 2016, where she was a four-year starter on the basketball and softball teams and was team captain of the softball program since her junior year and earned an Outstanding Teammate Award for the Spartans. This (season) is a big opportunity for her, coach Cooper describes Pace being the lead-off hitter. Keystone Softball Mid year tournament available to all Spring & Summer teams. I know as a dad. Carlisle (10-4, 8-2 Keystone) put the game out of reach in the third inning when the Herd batted around, sending 12 batters to the plate and scoring seven runs on six hits, two walks, and two . I consider it a blessing that he coached my daughter! In typical Dan Shofestall fashion, when I mentioned wanting to do an article and wanting quotes, he was a bit hesitant, not wanting to miss anyone who he felt should be recognized. We would have to set up pumps to get the water off of the tarp. Thanks for all youve done and will continue to do. Jay was the first C-L football player I met in July of 1973, his sister Jane was in 7th grade and Suzanne was a Senior cheerleader. This only goes to show the deep commitment to the kids that is so prevalent among coaches, volunteers and media throughout this area.). /*! he and I grew up together through grade and high school. Mariah Ford - Head Softball Coach - Keystone College Athletics On a side note, most people dont know that Dan is a closet Notre Dame fan. League wide player stats recorded and displayed on website. Dans passion for coaching and his commitment to youth was refreshing. Best of luck in your retirementIm sure Ill see around the fields!! We went to Weaver Park and had our own little fun scrimmage. Evans is married to fellow Keystone Hall of Famer, Chris Homer '01. It is impossible to describe the countless hours in this labor of love that this fine man has given to his players and their families, his assistant coaches, opposing coaches, Clarion Little League and the Bobcats Softball program in general. In 2014 we lost many of the players from the previous season, and most of the team had played little ball if any at all. An example: When the The Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association (PaHSSBCA) announced their 2022 All-State Team several weeks ago, Dan had three players, Noel Anthony, Kylee Beers and Jordan Best selected. "That drives us to do exactly what it is that we need to do to make sure that we get to the places where we have been in the past.". But the greatest feeling was when after working on the field all day and being dead tired my players would tell me how nice the field looked and thanked me for it. I cannot thing of any kinder more compassionate human being. Played at 3 Fields: Mondauk Park in Upper Dublin, Whistlestop Park in Colmar, Fellowship Park in Lansdale and Keith Valley Middle School in Horsham. Kelly graduated and eighteen seasons later, I was still coaching with Dan. Star players like infielder Kennedy Kerr and pitcher Lily Cassell have moved on from the program. But of all of the things Im sorting through, the most precious things to me are the old press clippings of the teams and players Ive had the privilege to coach over these years. I feel the same way about Randy Leadbetter, Joe Ferguson, and Dave Beers. chris mattison. I guess those emotions, in a strange sort of way, kind of illustratemy admiration for a man who I once saw as a coach, but who I now consider a dear friend. Hes a Christian who truly cares about people. Happy retirementyou deserve it!, Longtime Clarion-Limestone Athletic Director And Former Baseball Coach Brad Frazier. We wish Dan all the best, good health and relaxation in his retirement. On 4/21, the Keystone Oaks varsity softball team lost their home conference game against South Park (PA) by a score of 5-0. I told him I would help. When I think of Clarion softball, I think of Dan Shofestall. Keystone names Kettel coach - NEPA Sports Nation Berger Named Next Wilkes Women's Basketball Head Coach - Wilkes Heck, its not like Ive never done it before and yet, Im sitting here with a lump in my throat, a tear in my eye and a smile on my face as I attempt to sort through a myriad of memories of Dan that keep popping into my brain. Discover your dream home among our modern houses, penthouses and. "We are motivated, driven and working more than before, because we know what it is like to not reach that final destination," she said. This is the unseen part that few saw. Ive probably coached close to 600 games starting many years ago. Another thing about Dan is how promptly he responds when I need quotes and/or stats from him for big articles about his players. During my 6 seasons as Head Softball Coach at Moniteau (2011-2016) there was always that competitive nature and upmost respect when we played Clarion Area Softball. I have known Dan for a very long time before coaching against each other. Clarion Area Softball Coach Dan Shofestall retired recently, closing out a stellar thirty-plus year career that spanned parts of five decades, patrolling the diamonds, including Little League Baseball, Little League All-Stars and for the past fifteen years with the Bobcats. Please contact Alyssa to start your daughter's private lessons. Longtime Clarion News Sports Editor Ryan Pugh. As fate would have it, we ended up winning a district title, which at that time, I believe had been a twenty-one or twenty-five year wait for the Clarion area. Each player he has coached during his tenure becomes part of his family. Photographer Mary Perry has posted a new gallery Seton LaSalle @ Keystone Oaks containing 112 photos. When the schedule was released it was always a game I looked at to see when we played them. Keystone starts off their season in Murrells, South Carolina as they go on the road to take on St. James. The rivalry between Sorce and Burns was great! Longtime Oil City Derrick Sports Editor Ed Brannon. I think that is why Dan focused so much on details of the game. I have many fond memories of Weaver Park. A native of Throop, Pennsylvania, Ford graduated from Mid Valley High School in 201, Most recently, Ford has been the director of facility operations at Riverfront Sports Complex in Scranton and the head coach for the Riverfront girl's travel softball team in addition to serving as the junior high coach at Mid Valley. I was Athletic Director at the time and recommended the hiring of Coach Dan, having known what he had done in Little League and talked with others about his developmental player philosophy. Each team I have coached have been special in different ways. For 18 years you have navigated a very successful program worthy of acknowledgement and celebration. Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) Report, Sports Information (Logo/Brand Guidelines), Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). !. The firstbase umpire said to me that we were looking pretty good. His contribution to the sport of softball in our area and the positive impact he had on the lives of his players cant be overstated. Nellie told some great stories to the kids and audience about his teammate and Pirate great Roberto Clemente. 2 Seasons: Spring (mid April til late June) & Fall (mid August til late October). The time Dan spent not only on the experienced players,but the players needing extra time were taken into consideration and were given coaching needed to improve skills. I think that it is definitely one of those moments where I still cant express how important this job is to me and Keystone. Player age is based on age as of December 31. A great coach is hard to find, and impossible to forget. This is going to be a second year and transition. Keystone softball: Doug Cooper announces retirement; Wildcats look for new coach. Clarion Area Softball Coach Dan Shofestall retired recently, closing out a stellar thirty-plus year career that spanned parts of five decades, patrolling the diamonds, including Little League Baseball, Little League All-Stars and for the past fifteen years with the Bobcats. They werent just players to him, they were people he cared about, and continues to care about after they leave school. It is the home of our softball team, but it was also where I spent much time in my early years of coaching. There are a lot of Little League and High School Girls softball players who benefited from your association. Go to the Announcements Page for Details!!! In 2017, Ritter successfully donated a kidney to help save a friend's life. For someone who has spent nearly his entire adult life sitting at a computer and typing in words fora living, youd think Id have some idea of how to convey my thoughts and feelings about Dan Shofestall stepping down as Clarion High Schools softball coach. I went to watch Clarion-Limestone and Clarion play a game at Clarion County Park one afternoon. Coach Dan ticked every box. The kids I coached in Little League now have kids playing there. He is knowledgeable of the game, but always is looking to be better.
Who Is Eric On Doubling Down With The Derricos,
List Of Funerals At York Crematorium,
Orrin And Orson West Biological Parents,
Does Silver Or Gold Look Better On Me Quiz,
Articles K