Willow Canyon Freshmen Baseball Coach Scott Hanelt passed away on April 15, 2007. He ran out of innings in his fight against the cancer that he was diagnozed with in August of 2006. Scott was an very important part of the program at Willow Canyon and will be missed by all. He is survivied by his wife Sarah and daughter Aubrey. 6
On December 12, 2006, Jim Phipps passed away. Coach Phipps was a legend here in Arizona and back in his native state of Illinios with over 55 years of devotion to the game he loved. Jim was an original member of the Arizona Baseball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame and the AzBCA's Coach of the Year Award is now called the Jim Phipps Memorial Coach of the Year Award, in his honor. The players of Jim's teams in Lake Havasu and his coaching friends will miss this great man. God Bless him and his family.
"Skip" Bryant, AzBCA Hall of Fame member, passed away on September 19, 2006. Skip was a valley sports writer and editor for nearly 50 years here in Arizona. He worked for the Mesa Tribune, Tempe Daily News, The Phoenix Gazette and finally the Arizona Republic. He was respected by coaches, players and fans. The AzBCA has lost the first sports reporter to be inducted into its hall of fame and a great friend. God Bless Skip and his family.
The AzBCA is very sad to to announce the passing of Hall of Fame member Gene Thompson last week here in Arizona. Gene was a long time scout in our area mostly for the San Francisco Giants and the San Padres. He was inducted into our Hall of Fame in 2005 for his long time service to the high school programs here in Arizona. The relationship that many of our coaches had with Gene was truely special. All of baseball has lost a very precious friend. God bless Gene and his family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of one of our Hall of Famers. Coach Skip Schifino passed away in early March of 2006. Skip was the head baseball coach at Arcadia High School for many years. He will be deeply missed.
It is sad to report that former Executive Director Jerry Miles has lost another family member. Jerry's son, Craig Miles, passed away on April 14, 2005. Craig played a big role in running the BCA website and helping with the BCA clinics every year, along with his wife Chrissy. We send our heart felt sympathy to the Miles Family.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Gordan Morgan Family. Gordon graduated from Will Rogers in 1953 (where he was All State in Baseball) he signed with the Chicago White Sox. Gordon won state championships in baseball, all at Rogers in 1968, 1973, 1978, and 1979 as well as a state runner-up in 1982. Gordon was chosen as the Oklahoma All-State Baseball Coach in 1978. In 1977 he co-founded the Oklahoma-California Baseball Series which later became the famous Sunbelt Classic Baseball Series. Gordon not only coached two years in the series, but became the Chairman of that organization. He served in many baseball organizations in many capacities from board member to the presidency. His love for baseball was second only to his beloved wife and children.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Rick Lorona Family, he passed away March 10, 2005. Rick was once the head coach at both Tolleson High School and Ray High School, and in his last coaching position served as an assistant at Marcos de Niza High School. He was an unique individual who did not care about the glory of being the top gun, running a program, he just wanted to help student-athletes get better. He was a true coach and will be missed by all who were lucky enough to be touched by this wonderful man.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Elaine Miles Family. Elaine passed away on January 7,2005. Elaine was the wife of the National High School Baseball Coaches Association's former executive director, Jerry Miles. The Miles were the co-founders of the BCA. Her contributions to high school baseball across the nation and the state of Arizona will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts and payers go out to the Doug Coletti Family. Doug was the former head coach at Sedona High School and was a member of the AzBCA.
Our thoughts and payers go out to the Fred Cota Family. Freddie passed away Thursday, December 11, 2003. Freddie was the person responsible for getting the Todd Stottlemeyer field built in Guadalupe, AZ. He was also the person who helped get the APS Baseball Clinic in Guadalupe started (January 2003). The people of Guadalupe, AZ and the AzBCA Board will miss him. He is in heaven now organizing another baseball game.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Joe Carbacio Family. Joe passed away December 28, 2002. Joe was inducted into the AzBCA Hall of Fame in January 2002. He has been a friend to all who have been involved in Arizona baseball. Joe coached at Phoenix College for many years and will be sincerely missed.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Richard (Dick) W. Case Family, the first Executive Director of USA Baseball. Mr. Case passed away in November 2002. Mr. Case dedicated his entire life to youth sports, amateur baseball, and the inclusion of our sport in the Olympic Games. Our thoughts and and prayers go out to the entire Case family.
Our thoughts and prayers also go out to the Carl Weatherton Family (Winslow, Arizona). Carl passed away March of 2001. He was inducted into our AzBCA Hall of Fame during our All-Star games in June 2001.
Our thoughts and prayers also go out to the Jack Kaiser Family (from Oak Pine, IL). Cancer claimed the life of Jack in March, 2000. His dedication and devotion to high school baseball always will be remembered. Not seeing him at the National Baseball Conventions in the front row will not be the same, but he will always be remembered him sitting there with paper and pen in hand.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Matt Leuck Family. Matt passed away in February of 1999 after losing his battle with cancer. Matt was a baseball coach at Mountain Pointe High School and our first Web master. He is sincerely missed.
