Rest in Peace, Coach
Written By Carrie Taylor Kemp

I can say with complete certainty that the amount of people I have met and grown to love was directly impacted by knowing Coach John Baggs. When Corey and I first started dating, I never predicted how his baseball life would eventually carve out a big part of my life as well. Not that I had ever gone out on the field, never traveled to Florida to watch the team play during Spring Break, and oftentimes, when I went to games, I would start chatting and realize that I hadn't yet looked at the scoreboard. But more than just the team, the Family, is ever-present, ever-expanding, and unbelievably important. Every time I attended their alumni banquet, I was blown away by the love, admiration and support that these men had for the game, for their coaches and for one another. Our wedding list included almost 90 people that are directly linked to baseball and/or our alma mater. Some of my favorite "action" shots from that day are of Corey and I being hoisted up (rather dangerously) by some of the guys. No matter which couple was being celebrated, you knew that at the end of the night, everyone there would be standing around in a circle, arms linked, swaying to "Piano Man." I also think of the lovely women that I never would have otherwise known that are so close to my heart--how lucky I am to have them, those who understand what this whole "baseball thing" is really about, because in reality, it's about so much more than just baseball. It's about the things that matter--family, commitment, tradition, support and love. And as the family expands--either with new alumni, or with children, we all come to understand the weight of house that Baggs built. It's a foundation that extends to his own family, too. I remember when he and Colleen asked Corey to be Josie's Godfather. She said, assuredly, that Corey was family, and that he would always be there to support Josie. Thank you to the Baggs for being a part of our family, too. You've instilled in so many of us incredibly valuable and treasured gifts. We'll miss you, Coach.