The Oakfield-Alabama community gathered at the high school Saturday afternoon to dedicate the varsity baseball field to long time teacher and baseball coach Dan Gilbert before the Hornet’s match-up with Lyndonville.
Gilbert passed away in March after his battle with colon cancer.
He was memorialized by high school staff, former players and family during the dedication.
“I can think of no better way to celebrate Dan’s life and legacy than naming this field in his memory,” says Jeff Schlagenhauf, Athletic Director at Oakfield-Alabama Schools.
“The most important lessons he taught were give it all you have, do your best and be a little better tomorrow than you were today.”
Former player Brandon Hall, who played under Gilbert from 1999-2003, presented Gilbert’s wife Sue with a plaque in memory of the coach and teacher who touched so many in the community.
“Those of us that got to play for Coach Gilbert, he got the very best out of every single one of us,” says Hall.
“If you were a high caliber athlete, he could make you even better, lower caliber athlete, he could bring you right up, he focused harder and had more determination than the players actually out on the field. He gave his heart and soul to coaching, its what he loved to do.”
Coach Nathan Klos is now leading the Hornets in the 2017 season.
“It is with mixed emotions that I say I am the varsity baseball coach here at Oakfield-Alabama this year,” says Klos.
“On one hand, it’s a dream come true for me, on the other hand, Dan and I were supposed to coach these boys together this year. Dan was a great man who had an incredible impact on my life.”
Dan’s wife Sue says as a family they are honored and blessed to have been given the opportunity to have Dan’s legacy live on through the dedication of the field.
“Our hopes are that all who knew Dan will forever remember the passion he had for life, whether he was teaching his students, coaching his players or caring for our children, he stayed true to what he believed,” says Sue Gilbert.
“Dan’s belief was that every child had the potential to be great, he had a passion for helping each child through hard work, determination and having someone like Dan to believe in them.”
“With the dedication of this field, our hopes are that Dan’s legacy will not only be remembered, but will live on forever as others strive to help children realize their potential.”