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Show - N E W S Spanish Fork A12 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008 Covering what matters most Coach Gardner: Officer: From GARDNER • A l See HALES • A l school resource officer," Hales said. "I was one of the first officers to have the opportunity to do a lot of different things." Reflecting on changes that he's seen in his 23 years in police work, Hales said, "Frankly, what I've noticed through the years is that people used to be able to solve their own problems, and now they're calling the police for everything. That's one of the things that society has changed. It seems like neighbors can't get along — people used to work things out, now they just call the police." Hales said that the high point of his career was working in major crimes. "The most rewarding point was when I was working in sex crimes. A lot of times in police work you've working with negatives, and when I was working in sex crimes I was able to help a child, and that was very rewarding." He continued, "I saw a lot of sad situations where children got hurt — it was very rewarding to help children through that." Hales mentioned that the most frustrating part of police work is traffic. "It's probably the number one complaint that's brought to the department. Everyone wants it enforced — just not on themselves. In all my 23 years of doing this, people have gotten madder at me over tickets than anything else." Hales said. "I'd like to thank the city and the police department for allowing me to be part of it. They've been really good to me, and one thing I'd like to express is my gratitude for being there. Sometimes things change and you have to move on, but I appreciate everything the city has done for me and my family," Hales said. After 19 years with SFPD, Hales is moving on to a new opportunity. "It's been an honor to work here," Hale said "it's hard to leave." the young boy and those lessons have benefited him for many years. As a seven-year-old, Gardner became fascinated with the game of baseball. Besides practicing by his lonesome, tossing a ball against a cement wall before retrieving it, his real passion for the game grew when he and others were allowed to shag fly-balls for the Central Utah Baseball League. It was a competitive baseball league throughout Utah and legendary sports and recreation director Jack Swenson participated as a player. "We watched them play on the weekends," said Gardner. "But while they were taking batting practice, some of us kids would go out and chaseflyballs, and it made it kind of something special. I would just cut through the fields across the (SF) river and I was there. I even rode my horse down Courtesy photo once in awhile, tied it up to a tree, COACHING MOMENT: Steve Gardner coaches one of his players during a crossed over the river, went and game against Utah. caught some fly balls, then ran back, got on the horse and went the gridiron. Interestingly, he used coaching. His first coaching jobs back home." a cross-country ski boot (which were held at a junior high school in Coach Gardner's father instilled was legal back then) for kickoffs Ogden where he was named head in him the importance of pursuing and field goals. He also practiced baseball and football coach. Shortly dreams with a relentless work booting the ball with his bare foot. after, he took over as head baseball ethic. In baseball, he was the Dons' third coach at Bonneville High and was "If (baseball) is your livelihood baseman/pitcher and earned the there from 1974-1982. In that time frame, hefinisheda Master's degree you have to work as hard as you team's MVP in 1966. can," said the UV Coach. "In After high school, he played from BYU and soon decided to baseball, you can hit the ball college baseball for the Weber State make the jump to junior college. He perfect every time and go 0-4, Wildcats where he also was named took over the reigns as head coach but work ethic is very important team MVP in '68 and '69. He later for Snow College in 1983. While because you keep going back to try was drafted and taken by the Astros there, he won 20 or more games and be perfect to play well. My dad organization and competed as a five times and took home two always said, lIf you don't want to professional ballplayer. Gardner conference titles. He even served be a farmer, you better be good at enjoyed seasons in class A, AA and as the Badgers athletic director, but something else, so you better get AAA baseball. He won a batting the best thing that happened to him after it and be good at it, or you're title in 1971 with a .343 batting in Ephraim was when he met his gonna haul hay a iot of times.'" average and was selected to the sweetheart who has since played a As a result of the early life Western Carolina League all-star big role in his coaching career. lessons, he became a great athlete team during the same year. "Debi 's been everything for excelling as a three-sport star in After one season in triple A, me," said Gardner. "She's been baseball, basketball and football. Gardner decided to hang it up and my backup, my pinch-hitter, my He even held kicking duties on pursue teaching and a career in designated hitter a lot, a big part of why I've been successful. When I've felt bad or down, she always built me up and she has kept me level headed. She's made it special for everybody and has been a great person forme." Mrs. Gardner has undoubtedly been the Wolverines biggest fan and cheerleader. She even went out of her way many times to prepare sacks of snack foods for all players to enjoy between doubleheaders. As the UVSC junior college skipper, Gardner has guided the Wolverines to three SWAC Southern Division titles and two Region 18 crowns. He has also taken his teams' to the title game of the Region 18 Tourney five times. Gardner's '93 team won the school's first ever region title when they knocked off Southern Idaho. In recent years, Utah Valley made the transition to D-1 competition. It has been a challenging transformation but Coach believes that his players will have long-lasting memories of playing top notch opponents. Landmark wins in the D-l process include a first ever win over crosstown rival BYU in '05 and two enormous wins over nationally respected programs. UVSC knocked off Oregon State in '04 when they were ranked in the top 25 and topped that off a year later when they stole a game from then #16 ASU Sun Devils in Tempe, Ariz. Having been a native and alum from Spanish Fork, coach has benefited from the city's baseball tradition in more ways than one, yet he has always given back to the community. "The thing with coaching is you get to be involved with so many good people," said Gardner. "Good parents, fans, coaches and players. Number one, you surround yourself with good people. You want good players but you have to have good people because they represent you, your program and the community. If you have that, you're going to be a winner." WE'VE GOT THE CASH FIRE DEPARTMENT AND FINANCING! CELEBRATES 1OO YEARS SPANISH FORK VOLUNTEER F150 Drive one. All citizens invited to view a parade on Main and join us afterwards at Sports Park to celebrate this wonderful service! Parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nay 10, 2008. Fire Trucks and other Emergency Respondent Vehicles will travel down Main Street from 900 North to the Sports Park. The Best Selling Truck on the Planet! 0 % financing or up to $5,000 customer cash* A commemoration Ceremony will follow after the parade at the Sports Park Football Field at about 10:45 a.m. Super Duty What: Happy Birthday 100 Year Commemoration and Thank you. Who: Music by the Tuckett Brothers Quartet, special thanks and presentation by the Mayor and City Council, and remarks by current Fire Chief, Brent Jarvis. 2534 North 200 East Spanish Fork 798-3553 *See dealer for details. O.A.C. Must finance through FMCC Not all customers will qualify. Come meet our firemen and say Happy Birthday and thank you! |