{"id":287,"date":"2024-07-19T21:01:28","date_gmt":"2024-07-19T21:01:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/?page_id=287"},"modified":"2025-02-24T21:07:36","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T21:07:36","slug":"peach-stories","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/peach-stories\/","title":{"rendered":"Peach Stories"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"287\" class=\"elementor elementor-287\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-12a53910 elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"12a53910\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-46ceccb2\" data-id=\"46ceccb2\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e31942b elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"e31942b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<script>\r\njQuery(document).ready(function($) {\r\nvar delay = 100; setTimeout(function() {\r\n$('.elementor-tab-title').removeClass('elementor-active');\r\n $('.elementor-tab-content').css('display', 'none'); }, delay);\r\n});\r\n<\/script>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e11a1b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2e11a1b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Our Peach Orchard<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2975d29b elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2975d29b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5d4f95e7\" data-id=\"5d4f95e7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-187b663c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"187b663c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1707\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_3685-ChloeDraftPicture-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-301\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_3685-ChloeDraftPicture-scaled.jpg 1707w, https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_3685-ChloeDraftPicture-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_3685-ChloeDraftPicture-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_3685-ChloeDraftPicture-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_3685-ChloeDraftPicture-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_3685-ChloeDraftPicture-1365x2048.jpg 1365w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1707px) 100vw, 1707px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-35c86e7a\" data-id=\"35c86e7a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-7c376077 elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7c376077\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-3239db68\" data-id=\"3239db68\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22a25c9d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"22a25c9d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">CHLOE CHILDERS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59ae1f3b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"59ae1f3b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Chloe Childers founded the Peaches in 1991. She was 60 years old at the time, with a lifetime of play already behind her. From her early years in Kansas, where kickball after school was an obsession, to her education at the University of Kansas where she became a physical educator, and later when she allowed students in Newfoundland, Canada to teach her their beloved game of hockey, Chloe championed a sense of play as she taught and organized sports.<\/p><p>Well-established in Greeley, CO and with a successful teaching career under her belt, Chloe participated in the 1991 Colorado Senior Games as an individual athlete. She relates that after those games she \u201cbought the results book and I called every woman that had either gotten a gold or silver in any sport and asked them two questions. \u2018Are you planning to go to Nationals?\u2019 If they said yes, I said, \u2018Would you like to play on a softball team there too?\u2019\u201d Out of this effort, a senior women\u2019s softball team emerged that would soon be known as the Colorado Peaches.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-716ea76 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"716ea76\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4b44aa2\" data-id=\"4b44aa2\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-00b228e elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"00b228e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-f2fb657\" data-id=\"f2fb657\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c7d8ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"5c7d8ee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-9691\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-9691\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Read More<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-9691\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-9691\"><p class=\"\">Chloe navigated the Colorado Peaches through 21 years of play, including consecutive National Senior Games appearances between 1991 and 2009 and consecutive Huntsman World Senior Games appearances from 2007 through her retirement in 2012. She continued to excel as an individual athlete in other sports as well, winning multiple medals at Nationals in Doubles Table Tennis with Peach Pat Hutson and other partners.<\/p><p class=\"\">Beginning in 2004, Chloe, along with her husband and two friends, established pickleball in Greeley, CO. She enthusiastically fostered the development of the game at home while playing it competitively at the Huntsman World Senior Games. Her efforts culminated in back-to-back Doubles Pickleball gold medal wins in the 80-84 bracket in 2011 and 2012 with partners Mary Hill and Gigi Sartor, respectively. Chloe\u2019s total medal count including softball, table tennis, and pickleball stands at 18, but watch this space: she accomplished so much we may have missed something!<\/p><p class=\"\">Her sphere of influence and the care with which she tended her connections remains dynamic\u2014in this era of social media, the Huntsman Games re-posted a 2022 Greeley Tribune article about the Peaches. A follower named Sue Hume added this comment: \u201cMrs. Childers was my high school PE teacher. She came to our 50th reunion. An awesome lady and role model for young girls (and people of all ages) to be active!\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5ccda3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"a5ccda3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1731\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1731\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">PICKLEBALL PIONEER<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1731\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1731\"><p class=\"\"><strong>By KELLY RAGAN | The NoCo Optimist <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>PUBLISHED: April 15, 2017 at 11:09 p.m. | UPDATED: May 13, 2020 at 5:40 a.m. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>Chloe Childers would give anything to be able to play pickleball again. She dearly loves the last medal she won at the Huntsman World Senior Games when she was in her early 80s \u2013 it\u2019s the last time she was really able to play. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong> At 86, she can\u2019t play anymore, but she can\u2019t give it up, either. She helped bring pickleball to Greeley more than a decade ago, and she plans to help others learn how to play as long as she can. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong> Childers coaches a ladies-only beginners group at the Greeley Senior Activity Center, 1010 6th St., every Friday. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>Childers will stand up to show the ladies the strokes and then sit back in her chair. She\u2019ll watch them and correct what she sees. She always offers a tip of the day, too. \u201cI do more praising,\u201d Childers said. \u201cI think that\u2019s the best way to teach.\u201d <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong> In 2004, Childers, her late husband, Chuck, and two of their friends decided to start pickleball in Greeley. At the time, none of them knew how to play, and there were no instructors to teach them. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>But she did have a background that would help her. Childers spent many years teaching physical education. She taught for a while in Canada, when her husband was stationed there in the Air Force. Later she taught at Eaton High School and Greeley Central. She played all kinds of sports from tennis to softball to hockey and more. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>They got a couple books and learned the rules together. They took measurements of the courts at the Greeley Recreation Center and taped off the boundaries each time they wanted to play. Many of the pickleball players at the senior center used to be tennis players. Pickleball is easier on the shoulders and folks don\u2019t have to move around quite as much, so the transition often feels natural. It\u2019s easy for beginners to pick it up, too. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>Together, they practiced their strokes and got better. Then she got a lot better: She won dozens of medals at pickleball tournaments. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong> \u201cOf all the sports I\u2019ve played, pickleball is the most fun of all of them,\u201d Childers said. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>Recently, the rec center painted pickleball lines on the court. They\u2019re permanent now, a testament to how popular the sport has become. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>Christy, Childers\u2019s daughter, said she remembered when her mom was asked to coach pickleball while they were on a cruise. The cruise director didn\u2019t know how to play, so they put Childers in charge. She was a natural. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>\u201cIt\u2019s got to be hard for her not to play anymore, but she has such a love for teaching,\u201d Christy said. She knows her mom won\u2019t give it up, even if it is hard. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>Childers has pickle socks, pickle shirts and pickle ornaments to hang on a little tree. She has a pickleball paddle necklace. Friends bake her pickle-themed cakes. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong> Childers admitted she doesn\u2019t actually like pickles at all, but that makes it all the more fun. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>\u201cHaving fun is so important for your life,\u201d Childers said. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to stay bubbly to reach 86 years of age. Sports keep you bubbly.\u201d <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong> \u2013 Kelly Ragan writes features and covers health for The Greeley Tribune. Have a tip? Want to share your story? Call (970) 392-4424, email kragan@greeleytribune.com <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greeleytribune.com\/2017\/04\/15\/greeley-woman-who-helped-pioneer-pickleball-in-city-still-coaches\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.greeleytribune.com\/2017\/04\/15\/greeley-woman-who-helped-pioneer-pickleball-in-city-still-coaches\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1732\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1732\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">COMMUNITY LEADER<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1732\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1732\"><p class=\"\"><strong>Glass half full: After years of asking for it, Greeley residents are set to get new outdoor pickleball courts By Kelly Ragan <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong> This is kind of a big dill \u2013 Greeley is getting new pickleball courts. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>The City of Greeley is finishing up construction on new pickleball courts at Sherwood Park, 2820 13th St. Come May, the public (you fine people) will be able to use them. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>According to a news release from the city, a fresh new concrete slab has replaced the old asphalt tennis courts with eight new, individual pickleball courts. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>Construction crews will have to wait for warmer weather before the final topcoat can be applied, according to the release. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>Pickleball is a paddleball sport that sort of combines badminton, table tennis, and tennis. It\u2019s been gaining popularity in the community for years. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>More than a decade ago, Chloe Childers, winner of the Huntsman World Senior Games in her early 80s, helped bring pickleball to Greeley. For years, she taught a beginners group at the Greeley Senior Activity Center. Back then, Childers would take measurements of the courts at the Greeley Recreation Center and tape of the boundaries to play the game. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>A physical education teacher for many years, Childers told the Greeley Tribune in 2017 that pickleball was the most fun of all the sports she\u2019d played. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>According to the news release, residents have been requesting that Greeley\u2019s Culture, Parks and Recreation Department built outdoor pickleball courts \u2013 like Windsor did in 2016. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>In the spring of 2021, once the final topcoat has been applied and the surfacing has a chance to cure, residents are set to finally get their wish. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thenocooptimist.com\/news\/glass-half-full-after-years-of-asking-for-it-greeley-residents-are-set-to-finally-get-a-new-pickleball-court\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.thenocooptimist.com\/news\/glass-half-full-after-years-of-asking-for-it-greeley-residents-are-set-to-finally-get-a-new-pickleball-court<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-87b232e elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"87b232e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-96c2b57\" data-id=\"96c2b57\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f67ca5c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f67ca5c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"963\" height=\"1466\" src=\"https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/LaVerne1999.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-302\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/LaVerne1999.jpeg 963w, https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/LaVerne1999-197x300.jpeg 197w, https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/LaVerne1999-673x1024.jpeg 673w, https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/LaVerne1999-768x1169.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 963px) 100vw, 963px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0ccb4ed\" data-id=\"0ccb4ed\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-900ae8d elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"900ae8d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5177379\" data-id=\"5177379\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ae3f8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5ae3f8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">LAVERNE DRESSOR<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a16643c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a16643c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"\"><em>Photo By Jenny Sparks Greeley Tribune<\/em><\/p><p class=\"\">LaVerne Dressor put all she had into cultivating fun and community. In her 60s and beyond, this meant actively supporting softball teams and teammates, and playing with them up and down the Front Range. She and her twin, LaVaugn, were born in Denver and grew up in Fort Lupton, where LaVerne learned to play softball. She married a few years after graduating from high school, and while love of sports was an integral part of her family life, she didn\u2019t play softball again for a long time.<\/p><p id=\"yui_3_17_2_1_1721424195655_208\" class=\"\">LaVerne negotiated a new relationship with the game the year after her husband died. That year, as she prepared to retire from the Colorado Department of Transportation, she made a series of decisions that propelled her into renewed engagement with life and solidified her strong sense of support within community. She reached out to Chloe Childers about managing the women\u2019s softball team she was creating, soon to be named the Colorado Peaches. At the same time, LaVerne began managing another start-up: a co-ed team based in Greeley that competed against other Front Range teams. In an unusual twist, the player base for this co-ed team was predominantly women. \u201cVernie,\u201d as she was called by friends, had set her course.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2e59118 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2e59118\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5b0f807\" data-id=\"5b0f807\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-e5d3cd2 elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e5d3cd2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1fa6b34\" data-id=\"1fa6b34\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45c01cd elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"45c01cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-7311\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-7311\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Read More<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-7311\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-7311\"><p class=\"\">Through the 1990s and into the 2000s, Vernie dedicated herself to the player-manager role on these and other teams. She continued with her tap dancing, and pursued tennis, bowling, volleyball, and later pickleball. In 1999, the Colorado Peaches won gold at the National Senior Games, which were held that year in Orlando, Florida. Matt Schuman of the Greeley Tribune wrote an article about the team\u2019s experiences that captures Vernie\u2019s perspective: \u201c\u2018The thrill was just overwhelming,\u2019 said Dressor, the team captain. \u2018It was just something we worked so hard for. We had won the silver the last two times we competed, but couldn\u2019t quite get the gold.\u2019\u201d In 1999 they left no room for doubt, winning all five of their tournament games including a shutout against Virginia in the final.<\/p><p class=\"\">LaVerne retired from the Peaches in 2012, and in 2013 she and her teammates including Doris Brewster, Nellie Jo Girvan, Marge Rady, Bernice \u201cBea\u201d Thrall, and Chloe Childers were inducted into the Greeley Senior Softball Hall of Fame.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b466631 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"b466631\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1891\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1891\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">STILL SWINGIN'<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1891\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1891\"><p class=\"\"><strong>Still swingin\u2019 after all these years <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>By\u00a0HILLARY WHEAT\u00a0| <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>PUBLISHED:\u00a0April 27, 2003 at 1:04 a.m.\u00a0| UPDATED:\u00a0May 13, 2020 at 6:27 a.m. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>It\u2019s softball season again and this year the Greeley Division E 50-plus seniors are back on the field after a one-year hiatus. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>Last year, the team didn\u2019t have the minimum 13 players to field a team. This year, the team recruited new blood, including some male players who will help them compete with the other male-dominated teams. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>Texas Roadhouse is the sponsor of the team, which has nine women and four men spanning 3 decades in age. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>The team opened its season in Boulder on Wednesday and will be back in Greeley at the Island Grove fields next Wednesday. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>The team is led by Vernie Dressor, who has been managing since 1991, when the team began, and Bea Thrall, who is coaching for her third season. Thrall started with the team as a player back in 1991 but these days, her body is causing her too much pain to play. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>But she doesn\u2019t want to give up the game. Coaching allows her to remain a part of the team. Thrall considers her generation to be pioneers; staying active in sports is something that wasn\u2019t popular in her parents\u2019 generation. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>Thrall has been pioneering almost her whole life. In high school, she played softball on an all-male team. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>Later she joined a women\u2019s farm baseball league while living in Indiana. She found baseball to be easier than softball because the ball is smaller, easier to grip, and can be hit farther. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>But she stuck with softball her whole life and has gone to the National Senior Games three times with the Colorado Peaches team along with other members of the Texas Roadhouse: Chloe Childers, Nellie Girvan, Vernie Dressor and Doris Brewster.<\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greeleytribune.com\/2003\/04\/27\/still-swingin-after-all-these-years\/\"><strong>Greeley Travel Team Article<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>https:\/\/www.greeleytribune.com\/2003\/04\/27\/still-swingin-after-all-these-years\/<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1892\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1892\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">GREELEY SENIOR SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1892\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1892\"><p class=\"\"><strong>Greeley Senior Activity Center inducts 27 into Softball Hall of Fame <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>By\u00a0GREELEY TRIBUNE\u00a0|\u00a0citydesk@greeleytribune.com\u00a0| <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>PUBLISHED:\u00a0September 6, 2013 at 10:34 a.m.\u00a0| UPDATED:\u00a0May 13, 2020 at 2:11 a.m. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>The Greeley Senior Activity Center inducted 27 members into its Senior Softball Hall of Fame on Wednesday. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>The second annual Hall of Fame Ceremony was held in conjunction with the senior Softball Celebration, an event held at the end of the summer to recognize the volunteer managers and players for their dedication and hard work during the softball season, according to a news release from\u00a0Sheri Lobmeyer\u00a0at the Greeley Senior Center. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>The Senior Softball Hall of Fame was founded in 2012 to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond to make Greeley\u2019s Senior Softball Program successful, according to the release. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>The 27 individuals honored as Hall of Fame inductees for 2013 are:\u00a0John Blatnick,\u00a0Doris Brewster,\u00a0George Brewster,\u00a0Chloe Childers,\u00a0Frank Cribelli,\u00a0Laverne Dressor,\u00a0Tom Flores,\u00a0Nelli Jo Girvan,\u00a0Bill Goodwine,\u00a0Bill Honaker,\u00a0Jake Huwa,\u00a0Will Jones,\u00a0Dorothy Kaufman,\u00a0Wally Kaufman,\u00a0Don Krieger,\u00a0Bobby Lind,\u00a0Rob Lindley,\u00a0Dan Maloney,\u00a0Gene McKenna,\u00a0Marge Rady,\u00a0Ben Rohnke,\u00a0Jerry Rouse,\u00a0Clem Schuette,\u00a0Bill Sharpley,\u00a0Joe Slobojan,\u00a0Bernice Thrall\u00a0and\u00a0Alvin Weber. Inductees who have passed on were remembered during a separate portion of the ceremony with a family member or close friend accepting their award for them. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><strong>A softball profile is archived for each Hall of Fame member who is also commemorated on a plaque that proudly hangs at the Greeley Senior Activity Center. <\/strong><\/p><p class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greeleytribune.com\/2013\/09\/06\/greeley-senior-activity-center-inducts-27-into-Greeley%20Softball%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20softball-hall-of-fame\/\"><strong>Greeley Softball Hall of Fame<\/strong><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fieldofourown.com\/Greeley%20Senior%20Activity%20Center%20inducts%2027%20into%E2%80%A6%20LOCAL%20NEWS%20Greeley%20Senior%20Activity%20Center%20inducts%2027%20into%20Softball%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20%20%20%20%20%20%201%C2%A0of%C2%A02%20Front%20Row:%20Chloe%20Childers,%20Edna%20Huwa%20(Jake%20Huwa),%20Rob%20Lindley,%20Doris%20Brewster,%20Laverne%20Dressor,%20Mary%20Ann%20McKenna%20(Gene%20McKenna),%20Pat%20Honaker%20(Bill%20Honaker),%20Tom%20Flores;%20Second%20row:%20Juils%20Jorgenson%20(Bill%20Sharpley),%20Joe%20Slobojan,%20George%20Brewster,%20Marge%20Rady,%20Dean%20Goodwine%20(Bill%20Goodwine),%20Will%20Jones;%20Back%20Row:%20Clem%20Schuette,%20John%20Blatnick,%20Larry%20Price%20(Don%20Krieger),%20Frank%20Cribelli,%20Ben%20Rohnke.%20By%C2%A0GREELEY%20TRIBUNE%C2%A0%7C%C2%A0citydesk@greeleytribune.com%C2%A0%7C%20PUBLISHED:%C2%A0September%206,%202013%20at%2010:34%20a.m.%C2%A0%7C%20UPDATED:%C2%A0May%2013,%202020%20at%202:11%20a.m.%20The%20Greeley%20Senior%20Activity%20Center%20inducted%2027%20members%20into%20its%20Senior%20Softball%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20on%20Wednesday.%20The%20second%20annual%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20Ceremony%20was%20held%20in%20conjunction%20with%20the%20senior%20Softball%20Celebration,%20an%20event%20held%20at%20the%20end%20of%20the%20summer%20to%20recognize%20the%20volunteer%20managers%20and%20players%20for%20their%20dedication%20and%20hard%20work%20during%20the%20softball%20season,%20according%20to%20a%20news%20release%20from%C2%A0Sheri%20Lobmeyer%C2%A0at%20the%20Greeley%20Senior%20Center.%20The%20Senior%20Softball%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20was%20founded%20in%202012%20to%20recognize%20individuals%20who%20have%20gone%20above%20and%20beyond%20to%20make%20Greeley%E2%80%99s%20Senior%20Softball%20Program%20successful,%20according%20to%20the%20release.%20The%2027%20individuals%20honored%20as%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20inductees%20for%202013%20are:%C2%A0John%20Blatnick,%C2%A0Doris%20Brewster,%C2%A0George%20Brewster,%C2%A0Chloe%20Childers,%C2%A0Frank%20Cribelli,%C2%A0Laverne%20Dressor,%C2%A0Tom%20Flores,%C2%A0Nelli%20Jo%20Girvan,%C2%A0Bill%20Goodwine,%C2%A0Bill%20Honaker,%C2%A0Jake%20Huwa,%C2%A0Will%20Jones,%C2%A0Dorothy%20Kaufman,%C2%A0Wally%20Kaufman,%C2%A0Don%20Krieger,%C2%A0Bobby%20Lind,%C2%A0Rob%20Lindley,%C2%A0Dan%20Maloney,%C2%A0Gene%20McKenna,%C2%A0Marge%20Rady,%C2%A0Ben%20Rohnke,%C2%A0Jerry%20Rouse,%C2%A0Clem%20Schuette,%C2%A0Bill%20Sharpley,%C2%A0Joe%20Slobojan,%C2%A0Bernice%20Thrall%C2%A0and%C2%A0Alvin%20Weber.%20Inductees%20who%20have%20passed%20on%20were%20remembered%20during%20a%20separate%20portion%20of%20the%20ceremony%20with%20a%20family%20member%20or%20close%20friend%20accepting%20their%20award%20for%20them.%20A%20softball%20profile%20is%20archived%20for%20each%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20member%20who%20is%20also%20commemorated%20on%20a%20plaque%20that%20proudly%20hangs%20at%20the%20Greeley%20Senior%20Activity%20Center.\"><strong>https:\/\/www.greeleytribune.com\/2013\/09\/06\/greeley-senior-activity-center-inducts-27-into-Greeley Softball Hall of Fame softball-hall-of-fame\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4603cb1 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4603cb1\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4f3cd49\" data-id=\"4f3cd49\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-892a0b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"892a0b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"1146\" src=\"https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Raquel2010POpic.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-303\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Raquel2010POpic.jpg 750w, https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Raquel2010POpic-196x300.jpg 196w, https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Raquel2010POpic-670x1024.jpg 670w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-114ac3a\" data-id=\"114ac3a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-36f2955 elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"36f2955\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-cb8f31d\" data-id=\"cb8f31d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-523c5b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"523c5b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">RAQUEL BISHOP<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a14d4a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a14d4a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"\">Raquel Sanchez Bishop knows the quality of any situation depends upon the people in it. From her upbringing in Michigan as one of four vibrant sisters (and a persevering brother) to the early years raising her own family just north of Detroit, Raquel dedicated herself to working with groups and taking part in society. She coached her daughters in recreational basketball teams in the sixties and spent a decade at the John F. Kennedy School in Santiago de Queretaro teaching in a bilingual and multicultural environment about three hours northwest of Mexico City. When Mexico hosted the World Cup in 1986 Raquel was in the stadium in Queretaro with 38,500 other people to watch a knockout round game between Denmark and Spain\u2014just a few days later at Azteca stadium in Mexico City, Diego Maradona made soccer\u2019s legendary \u201cHand of God\u201d and \u201cGoal of the Century\u201d goals for Argentina.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6ac5fd0 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6ac5fd0\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2e1c321\" data-id=\"2e1c321\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-37cce8e elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"37cce8e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-9d7d550\" data-id=\"9d7d550\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eaeb68b elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"eaeb68b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2461\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2461\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Read More<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2461\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2461\"><p class=\"\">After returning to the United States, Raquel settled in Aurora and built family, work, church, volunteer, and recreational sports connections. Raquel says, \u201cI never played organized softball till I was an adult. You know, I had seven kids\u2014and I had so much to do.\u201d She joined the Peaches in 1992, bringing strength and accuracy to the team; she also played with Front Range co-ed and women\u2019s teams including the HealthSouth Rehabs, ASC Ladies, and Copy Cats. She bowled, hang-glided, ran 10k races, and completed her first sky-diving jump. In 2002, she carried the Olympic torch as it made its way through Colorado. She played on the Colorado Columbines women\u2019s basketball team with Peaches\u2019 teammates Joy Kaylor and Rosie Melichar, and in 2005 their 65+ team placed sixth at the National Senior Games in Pittsburgh.<\/p><p class=\"\">Recognized for her volunteer service in the Chapel Program at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center, Raquel says she \u201cbelieves everyone should be a volunteer.\u201d She participated in Meals on Wheels through the Aurora Interfaith Task Force and volunteered for many years with the Colorado Association of US Track and Field in their Membership Services division. When Chloe Childers, LaVerne Dressor, and other teammates retired from the Peaches in 2012 after 21 years together, Raquel stayed, played hard, and helped ground the situation so the Peaches could make it through the transition. In 2023, as the Peaches embarked on a new chapter in sponsorship and self-governance, the first meeting of the year was held in the top floor common room of Raquel\u2019s assisted living residence. Group-oriented as ever, Raquel welcomed everyone and vacuumed up afterward, comfortable in the work of improving each moment of growth.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0653330 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0653330\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3ee022c\" data-id=\"3ee022c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ffb93d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ffb93d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/GailKlock-1.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-305\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/GailKlock-1.png 1000w, https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/GailKlock-1-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/GailKlock-1-768x576.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ed15345\" data-id=\"ed15345\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-b99a735 elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b99a735\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-05ac02a\" data-id=\"05ac02a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf83080 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bf83080\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">GAIL KLOCK<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e3699e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4e3699e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"\">Gail Klock\u2019s considered approach helped guide elementary, high-school, college-age, and senior women and girls in their lives as athletes. She steadily navigated societal change through 50 years of coaching, encountering new opportunities, heavy bias, and disruptive challenges. She found ways to make decisions, commit herself responsibly, and create space to listen to and appreciate others.<\/p><p class=\"\">Gail was born in Wichita, KS and grew up in Pueblo, CO. The early death of a younger sibling changed her family in many ways and she and her two older brothers struggled but persevered. She graduated from high school in 1965 and went on to get her BS in Physical Education from CSU. Gail played on softball and basketball teams in college and in Wisconsin, where she had her first teaching job. When Title IX passed in 1972 she immediately pursued an MSPE degree from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro that allowed her to coach at the college level. Her master\u2019s thesis, completed in 1974, explored the lives of intercollegiate women\u2019s basketball coaches through data she collected state-wide in NC. She accepted consecutive coaching positions in women\u2019s athletic programs at Wake Forest, Springfield College, and Brown University. After four years at Brown, she returned to Colorado where she coached multiple women\u2019s sports at the Colorado School of Mines from the fall of 1980 through the spring of 1994.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8099d07 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8099d07\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-85f94d7\" data-id=\"85f94d7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-0151e2f elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0151e2f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-065c4b0\" data-id=\"065c4b0\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de56239 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"de56239\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2331\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2331\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Read More<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2331\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2331\"><p id=\"yui_3_17_2_1_1721424195655_245\" class=\"\">Seeking more time at home with her partner Lynn and their two children, Gail earned an elementary education certification and began teaching in JeffCo\u2019s gifted and talented program. She also coached varsity softball at Jefferson High School in Edgewater from 2009-2014 and the 2017-18 season. During these years she enjoyed playing senior basketball and contributing to oral and written histories through programs at the GLBT Community Center of Colorado. In 2015 she began coaching the Colorado Peaches.<\/p><p class=\"\">Gail brought a deep civility to every relationship with every player on the team, and underscored the victories of personal improvement and teamwork as central to the Peaches organization. She maintained her focus on coaching even as she weathered the return of an old cancer in 2019. She coached before and after a lengthy operation, while undergoing chemotherapy, and during her own hospice care. Although COVID altered how people were able to gather in 2020, she accepted the Masters Coach of the Year award (for 2019) from Sportswomen of Colorado and was inducted into the Pueblo South High School Hall Of Fame. Gail\u2019s humor, gravitas, and humanity are still out there, held in deep personal connections she cherished and championed on the fields where she shared her unforgettable fortitude.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-344cc57 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"344cc57\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-5481\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-5481\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">PEACHES FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-5481\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-5481\"><p class=\"\">2017 Colorado Public Radio (includes an interview with Gail and Maggie)<\/p><p class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cpr.org\/show-segment\/the-women-of-the-colorado-peaches-softball-team-think-theyve-found-a-fountain-of-youth\/\">Peaches Fountain of Youth<\/a><\/p><p class=\"\">Colorado Public Radio<\/p><p class=\"\">The Women Of The Colorado Peaches Softball Team Think They\u2019ve Found A Fountain Of Youth By\u00a0Anthony Cotton<\/p><p class=\"\">September 15, 2017<\/p><p class=\"\">Today, at age 86, she&#8217;s the Peaches&#8217; elder stateswoman &#8212; but still plays a pretty good second base. That skill will come in handy when the team travels to Utah next month to play in the\u00a0Huntsman Games,\u00a0an international competition for seniors.<\/p><p class=\"\">Each of the players is over 50, but McCloskey says age disappears when you&#8217;re belting a pitch into the gap in left-center. &#8220;You&#8217;re never too old to play; and that play element is so, so important,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Being on a team &#8230; I could just go on and on &#8230; it&#8217;s just awesome.&#8221;<\/p><p class=\"\">McCloskey and the Peaches&#8217; coach, Gail Klock, spoke with Colorado Matters host Ryan Warner about the team and the upcoming Huntsman Games.<\/p><p class=\"\">Click on the link to hear Gail and Maggie talking about the Peaches. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cpr.org\/show-segment\/the-women-of-the-colorado-peaches-softball-team-think-theyve-found-a-fountain-of-youth\/\">https:\/\/www.cpr.org\/show-segment\/the-women-of-the-colorado-peaches-softball-team-Peaches Founthink-theyve-found-a-fountain-of-youth\/<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-5482\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-5482\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">SAVORING EVERY INNING<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-5482\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-5482\"><p class=\"\">2020 Mark Kiszla Denver Post<\/p><p class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.denverpost.com\/2020\/05\/16\/gail-klock-cancer-stricken-coach-colorado-peaches-kiszla\/\">Savoring Every Inning <\/a><\/p><p class=\"\">By\u00a0MARK KISZLA mkiszla@denverpost.com\u00a0The Denver Post PUBLISHED:\u00a0May 16, 2020 at 4:04 p.m.\u00a0| UPDATED:\u00a0May 16, 2020 at 4:10 p.m.<\/p><p class=\"\">Determined to make every last inning count, Gail Klock coaches softball while in hospice. The Colorado Peaches need Klock too much for their coach to hide under the covers, waiting for cancer take her away.<\/p><p class=\"\">Death can wait, while the Peaches hone their swings at batting practice. \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019m doing a very good job with this dying business and being at peace with it,\u201d said Klock, writing the playbook on how to squeeze joy from the end of life.<\/p><p class=\"\">From the time she fell in love with sports as a young girl in the 1950s, spring has smelled like sweet anticipation, even now, with the air heavy from sad farewells.<\/p><p class=\"\">At a ballpark near her Lakewood home, the outfield grass turns green as unbridled hope, while the infield dirt begs a shortstop to stab a ground ball in the hole. The Peaches, a women\u2019s softball team with 50-year-old rookies and seasoned veterans closing in on 90, take the field for practice, anxious as Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado or any major-leaguer itching to play ball again in the age of coronavirus.<\/p><p class=\"\">One of the great sports truths has been reinforced by this pandemic: When the sun is shining, none of us has time to waste.<\/p><p class=\"\">So as the sarcoma that began festering in Klock\u2019s hip has spread to her lungs and lymph nodes, recent words from her psychologist made perfect sense: \u201cYou don\u2019t have to be at peace with dying, Gail. You\u2019ve been a fighter all your life. Of course you\u2019re fighting it now.\u201d<\/p><p class=\"\">On May 31, donning masks that not only will protect them from the dangers of COVID-19 but also seem destined to absorb heartfelt tears, the Peaches will gather at Addenbrooke Park in suburban Denver, as Klock is presented a special lifetime achievement award from Sportswomen of Colorado.<\/p><p class=\"\">\u201cWe don\u2019t know how much time Gail has left,\u201d said Fran Simon, the youngest player in the Peaches lineup. \u201cWe hear her tell us, \u2018Look, I\u2019m not going to be (alive) for a tournament in October.\u2019 And that\u2019s really hard. But she also talks about going to batting practice next week, because she is a teacher and a coach to her core.\u201d<\/p><p class=\"\">During my lifetime covering sports, benefiting from a never-ending seminar taught by Hall of Fame coaches, I\u2019ve been blessed to sit at the knee of the late John Wooden at the Final Four. I\u2019ve been squeezed by a warm bear hug from NHL legend Scotty Bowman, far from a hockey rink, at a storied golf course in Scotland.<\/p><p class=\"\">Well, it seems to me Klock has also mastered the best magic trick performed by Wooden and Bowman. To become a truly great leader, a coach must first be a selfless servant, because all those victories ring hollow unless love for player development is devoid of ego and offered as a humble gift.<\/p><p class=\"\">\u201cI fell in love with sports as a kid, because I was good at them, even though a girl playing sports was so frowned upon at the time I sometimes felt a sense of shame, like it was inappropriate,\u201d said Klock, born on August 30, 1947, in Pueblo.<\/p><p class=\"\">Klock is too humble to say, so I will shout it from Mount Evans: She was born with a pioneer spirit as indomitable as the Rocky Mountains.<\/p><p class=\"\">Wanting the game in her hands, Klock gravitated to the pitcher\u2019s mound as a child, striking out boys on the playground. Undaunted by the prejudicial, restrictive social mores of the 1960s, she organized pick-up basketball games against girls from a cross-town school, despite being threatened with expulsion by a high-school principal who acted as if sweating was against state law for teenage girls.<\/p><p class=\"\">Upon graduation from Colorado State, Klock fought for female sports equality on the front line of Title IX battles, as a coach at Wake Forest, Brown and Colorado School of Mines, where she simultaneously led the volleyball, softball and basketball programs. Decades before \u201cModern Family\u201d became a popular TV show, Klock and her longtime partner raised two beautiful daughters, conceived through artificial insemination.<\/p><p class=\"\">Get the picture? Challenges make Klock feel alive. After doctors discovered sarcoma in her hip during the summer of 2011, she not only beat the snot out of the disease, but triumphantly laced up her sneakers again on the basketball court. \u201cWhen I got the little pin that declared I was cancer free for five years,\u201d Klock said, \u201cit meant more to me than any sports trophy I\u2019d ever won.\u201d<\/p><ul><li>The cancer, however, returned with a vengeance a year ago, refusing to be stopped this time. But quit?<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"\">No way.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-5483\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-5483\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">9 NEWS HONORARIUM<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-5483\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-5483\"><p class=\"\">2021 9 News 4 pm Honors Gail<\/p><p class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zAIPMYrRz8o\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zAIPMYrRz8o<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our Peach Orchard CHLOE CHILDERS Chloe Childers founded the Peaches in 1991. She was 60 years old at the time, with a lifetime of play already behind her. From her early years in Kansas, where kickball after school was an obsession, to her education at the University of Kansas where she became a physical educator, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-287","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/287","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=287"}],"version-history":[{"count":55,"href":"https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/287\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":543,"href":"https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/287\/revisions\/543"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/websitesmockup.com\/copeachessoftball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=287"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}