(Jeff Tucker/jefferywtucker.zenfolio.com)
Allan Dyer announced his decision to retire from coaching baseball at Cherokee Trail in a letter on Wednesday morning.
The longtime Cougars coach, who started the program in 2003, led them to two championships, including a Class 5A title last spring. In his announcement, Dyer wrote that he has “been extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to coach at CT and have the opportunity to build the program from scratch since we opened our doors in 2003.”
“I had a feeling before we won the title last year that I needed to be finished and spend more time at home,” Dyer wrote.
Dyer grew up in Colorado, and played baseball at Arapahoe High School before moving on to play at Northern Colorado.
He got his coaching start in Roswell, Georgia,
“When I returned to Colorado after spending ten great years in Georgia, I have been vested in trying to grow Colorado baseball and help where needed,” Dyer wrote.
In Colorado, he started the Colorado Dugout Club, a baseball coaches association, and said his “hope and vision was to bring more coaches together and promote our sport.”
In an email, ThunderRidge baseball coach Joe White, who grew up with Dyer in Colorado, wrote that, “So many high school coaches in this state have thrived because of Allan and his efforts with the Colorado Dugout Club. More importantly, so many players have thrived because of what he has accomplished with our club.”
It was just one of the many ways he was involved in promoting baseball in Colorado. Dyer also is involved with the Colorado Junior Team, and has served on the CHSAA baseball committee.
“Hosting playoffs for CHSAA being a part of various CHSAA committees has also been rewarding,” Dyer wrote. “My biggest regret to this day is that we still only play 19 games and that others do not share the same desire to make Colorado High School baseball more relevant.
“I believe there are great HS and club programs and coaches out there that do the right thing for kids and I hope that relationship continues to grow in respect for both.”
Said White: “He has helped put Colorado baseball on the national map.”
(Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)