| Groth steps down... |
| Assistant Coach Doug Wren Head Coach Jon Groth Assistant Coach Hart Hering |
June 8, 2009
Tyler Junior College head baseball coach Jon Groth has informed the College that he intends to relinquish his duties
as head baseball coach, effective upon the completion of his duties for his 2008-09 contract. In a letter to Athletic
Director Dr. Tim Drain, Coach Groth said, "It has been my honor and privilege to serve as Instructor and Head
Baseball Coach for Tyler Junior College since June 1, 1992. I have been thankful for the opportunity and have
served those roles to the best of my ability since that time. It has recently become apparent to me that for
various reasons, it is best for me to step down from the role of Head Baseball Coach."
In a letter to his players, Coach Groth said, "For a number of years now, I have taken some inventory of where I
am as a man, husband, father, and coach. I continually ask the Lord to guide my steps. He is faithful in
providing guidance and peace as I've journeyed with Him. The decision to resign was not an easy one, but God has
given us a peace about this step of faith. I've recognized the need to step back for a "season" in my life and
evaluate the time I have with my family. I have children at 20, 18, 16, 14, 12 and 8 and I've sensed a greater
need than ever to be more available to them. I may coach again, I honestly don't know. If I do, the job I take
would need to be one that allows for me to be more a part of their lives than I was allowing myself to be as Head
Coach here at TJC. For now, I plan to remain at TJC as a full time professor in Kinesiology and possibly help
with some Athletic Administrative duties."
Assistant Coach, Doug Wren will be the acting interim Head Coach, and assistant coach Hart Hering will remain on
the coaching staff as well.
"Jon and I have had some serious and very meaningful conversations over the past weeks and months regarding
this decision," said Athletic Director Dr. Tim Drain. "He has spent a lot of time with his family, with me, and with
other TJC administrators in making this decision, and it is one he did not make in haste. People on this campus
and in this community know that Jon is a deeply driven Christian man who puts his whole heart and soul into all
that he does. Jon never let wins and losses be the barometer of success. He saw baseball coaching as an
educational opportunity to teach young men life skills in preparation for their futures after baseball. I have
always admired that quality in Jon. I will miss seeing #3 (Coach Groth) in uniform and in the TJC dugout, but I
am pleased that an opportunity arose in the Health and Kinesiology Department that will allow Jon to positively
influence more of our students at Tyler Junior College."
- 30 -
Tyler Junior College head baseball coach Jon Groth has informed the College that he intends to relinquish his duties
as head baseball coach, effective upon the completion of his duties for his 2008-09 contract. In a letter to Athletic
Director Dr. Tim Drain, Coach Groth said, "It has been my honor and privilege to serve as Instructor and Head
Baseball Coach for Tyler Junior College since June 1, 1992. I have been thankful for the opportunity and have
served those roles to the best of my ability since that time. It has recently become apparent to me that for
various reasons, it is best for me to step down from the role of Head Baseball Coach."
In a letter to his players, Coach Groth said, "For a number of years now, I have taken some inventory of where I
am as a man, husband, father, and coach. I continually ask the Lord to guide my steps. He is faithful in
providing guidance and peace as I've journeyed with Him. The decision to resign was not an easy one, but God has
given us a peace about this step of faith. I've recognized the need to step back for a "season" in my life and
evaluate the time I have with my family. I have children at 20, 18, 16, 14, 12 and 8 and I've sensed a greater
need than ever to be more available to them. I may coach again, I honestly don't know. If I do, the job I take
would need to be one that allows for me to be more a part of their lives than I was allowing myself to be as Head
Coach here at TJC. For now, I plan to remain at TJC as a full time professor in Kinesiology and possibly help
with some Athletic Administrative duties."
Assistant Coach, Doug Wren will be the acting interim Head Coach, and assistant coach Hart Hering will remain on
the coaching staff as well.
"Jon and I have had some serious and very meaningful conversations over the past weeks and months regarding
this decision," said Athletic Director Dr. Tim Drain. "He has spent a lot of time with his family, with me, and with
other TJC administrators in making this decision, and it is one he did not make in haste. People on this campus
and in this community know that Jon is a deeply driven Christian man who puts his whole heart and soul into all
that he does. Jon never let wins and losses be the barometer of success. He saw baseball coaching as an
educational opportunity to teach young men life skills in preparation for their futures after baseball. I have
always admired that quality in Jon. I will miss seeing #3 (Coach Groth) in uniform and in the TJC dugout, but I
am pleased that an opportunity arose in the Health and Kinesiology Department that will allow Jon to positively
influence more of our students at Tyler Junior College."
- 30 -
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