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Show rmmr - Darrin Henry is Pleasant Grove's New Baseball Coach , n 1-1 " ,. ., : Coach Darrin Henry wants to develop a Viking Baseball Club that would provide clinics for young players and opportunities for coaches of all age teams to get to know each other and work on basic fundamental elements of the game. During the early part of June of this year, a decision was made that could change the way baseball is managed in Pleasant Grove. This city is no stranger to professional Scouts that find their way to our many diamonds and dugouts that have generated thousands of hours of enjoyment and recreation for kids, parents and fans. Now, with the high school's decision to install a new head baseball coach, all those hours of preparation and enjoyment could mean a little more. Meet Darrin Henry, the Viking's newest head baseball coach. Darrin is no stranger to Pleasant Grove. He is the son of the Vikings' winningest wrestling coach, Darold Henry and his wife, Belle. Darrin has participated in athletics for PG since he was a youngster. Darrin wrestled varsity at the 138 lb. weight as a freshman and took fifth at State that year. As a sophomore, he wrestled at 155 weight and took first at State. In 1987, his junior year, he wrestled at 171 lbs and won first place for the second year in a row. He also was the starting catcher for the Viking's 1987 baseball team that won the State Baseball Championship. He had his sights set to win a State Title in wrestling as a senior and be the first wrestler at PG to win three championships in a row, but fortune was not his friend. He blew his knee out playing football that took him out of wrestling and baseball during his last year in high school. Upon graduation, Darrin continued his education and eventually made it back to PGHS as an assistant baseball coach under Ryan Hall. In 2009, he transferred to American Fork High School to be an assistant baseball coach for the Cavemen and in the spring of 20 10 , he took advantage of an opportunity to return to PG and is now working very hard to prepare for his first season of Viking Baseball. Once he accepted the offer, Darrin started working on improvements to the High School's baseball facility. He has improved the backstop area, bleachers and viewing area for fans down both foul lines. Community support to do the work has been great, plus he has had five Eagle projects helping with various aspects of the facility's upgrades. Upon reviewing all facilities within the State, USA Baseball ranked Pleasant Grove's facility 3 in the State. Darrin commented, "Pleasant Grove and its citizens are awesome!" Among other things, the mission statement of Pleasant Grove's Recreation Department states, "...provide excellence in recreation, education and fitness opportunities for all children and adults to engage in wholesome, lifetime sports, recreational and leisure activities, promoting physical fitness, conditioning and healthy habits..." With that statement, Coach Henry has a vision of working with the city's baseball organization that would create an atmosphere of growth and improvement between the Viking baseball team and every child that signs up to play baseball through the city's recreational leagues. Darrin wants to develop a Viking Baseball Club that would provide clinics for young players, opportunities for coaches of all age teams to get to know each other and work on basic fundamental elements of the game. Damn's dad said this about his son, "He loves kids and is doing what he likes. He doesn't want to lose any players to neighboring schools. Darrin has a passion for coaching and definitely has the full package to be successful." Darrin has also received support form passed coaches in helping to improve and strengthen the team. Darrin wants to thank all the parents that will have sons on the team because of all the time and effort it takes to be part of the program. He promises that there will be open communication and he will work to make it a positive experience. "The players will be held accountable for their actions." He continued, "I want them to have a 3.0 GPA in qrder to play, and they will be required to do service in the community." Damn's philosophy is to 1. Teach them to play competitively, 2. Compete for region championships and 3. Compete for state championships. "By workouts in the weight room, Fall Ball, and other assigned activities, I want these young men to get bigger, better and faster together," he commented. Utah County seems to be a regular supplier of baseball players to colleges and beyond throughout the nation. With a coach that has Damn's vision and excitement about Pleasant Grove and the development of our kid's abilities to compete, plus teaching them the importance of being fit, conditioning and healthy habits, success will be just around the corner. What great memories our children could develop about growing up, right here, under the shadow of Mt. Timpanogos. I remember my summers were a combination of climbing the "G", playing baseball, Strawberry Days, fireworks on July 4, picnics up the canyon and, of course, playing baseball some more! As an adult (well, sometimes at least!) I look back and compare my memories with those of my children's. I think I had more fun! In fact, I'm not sure I've completely grown up yet. But to have the chance to rub shoulders with older players and coaches, I can see where the goal of playing for the Vikings would be a major driver to younger athletes as they improve and progress through the program. Nate Johnston, Pleasant Grove High School's athletic director said, "We are excited to have Darrin back at PG and are looking forward to seeing him become a mentor and friend to his players and watch the program gain in prominence in both region and state competitions." Darrin married the former Joy Warner in 1993 and have four children at home, three boys, Payton, Brooks and Mason and one girl, Gabby. To have a map that has the roads and trails already plotted out for you makes decisions easier upon reaching a crossroad. However, fresh eyes and new information can create an environment of better ways to achieve success. In this case, both as a team and as individuals. Darrin has that vision and is excited to lead the Vikings, |