Page 33 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2025 - Online Magazine

EXCEPTIONAL SENIORS

wins and losses, recognizing the profound opportunity to
shape young lives.
Although Dad had grown up in church, it wasn’t until
those early coaching years that his faith became deeply
personal. It was through the influence of two young
couples in the Sunday school class that he and my mom,
Kay, attended that he began to understand what it truly
meant to walk with Christ. As his faith deepened, so
did his purpose in coaching. No longer was it just about
developing good athletes—it was about developing good
people.

While at Monterey High School, a Fellowship of Christian
Athletes (FCA) huddle was established, and Dad was
asked to lead it. Many of the same students he coached
on the field were now part of FCA, but the environment
was different—more personal, more spiritual. Reflecting
on that time, he says:

“After we started the FCA huddle at MHS, I think I began
Leaders are always important in any venture, especially baseball. These four to realize how coaches have a unique relationship with
men run the Raider squad; Kal Segrist (coach), Ronnie Holly (co-captain), kids—and an opportunity and responsibility to share.”
John Dudley (co-captain) and Berl Huffman (head coach).
degree in education—extending his time in the baseball That realization began to transform the way he interacted
world, but with a new purpose. with his players. He recalls one bus ride after a game
when a player approached him—not to ask about the
His official baseball coaching career began under the game, but about something he and a few others had
mentorship of his own high school coach, Bobby Moegle. been reading in the Bible. That moment revealed how
For five years, he studied the game—and life—under his players saw him: not just as a coach, but as a spiritual
one of the best. When he stepped into the role of head leader.
baseball coach at rival Coronado High School, he brought
with him many of Coach Moegle’s principles: discipline, Baseball became more than a game—it became a
hard work, and high expectations. But he also forged platform. For over 35 years, the ballfield was Dad’s
his own identity as a coach—someone who saw beyond mission field, a place where he mentored, ministered, and

Dudley with grandson, Cooper and daughter, Carrie

Lubbock Senior Link 33