Shirlene Dovey Field named after legendary coach, teacher
Shirlene Dovey was honored at the first Lady Hawk softball game. The field was christened Shirlene Dovey Field. Coach Sharon Christensen stands in the background as Mrs. Dovey threw the first pitch of the game. (Photo courtesy of Brad Bentley)
The 2017 North Sanpete Lady Hawks softball team pose with legendary coach Shirlene Dovey during the season opener last week. The softball field has been named after Dovey. (Photo courtesy of Brad Bentley)
Shirlene Dovey Field named after legendary coach, teacher
MT. PLEASANT — Tuesday, March 14 was the home opener for the Lady Hawk softball team, but before the game began there were some other very important festivities. The new softball field was christened at the sports complex east of the high school, and was named Shirlene Dovey Field after a truly legendary woman at North Sanpete High School.
What Mrs. Dovey lacked in stature she more than made up for in grit, attitude, and character. Shirlene taught health, human physiology, and world geography for 35 years at North Sanpete High School. For many years, she was the only women’s sports coach at the high school and actually started the girls’ athletic program for the school.
Shirlene coached basketball, volleyball, and softball as well as also serving as the advisor for the drill team and cheerleaders. There wasn’t much that this dynamo couldn’t, or wouldn’t, do. When it’s said that “dynamite comes in small packages” they could have very well be speaking of Mrs. Dovey since she is able to walk under the volleyball net.
The accomplishments of Mrs. Dovey are long but some of her most cherished are her three children, Hank Dovey, Donna Miner, and Shirlene Rasmussen. As a coach she took second in state volleyball in 1992 and brought the state championship trophy to North Sanpete in 1994. She also coached her teams to numerous region titles.
When news of the honors being bestowed on Mrs. Dovey was announced, the accolades began to pour in. One former student proclaimed, “She was small in stature, but huge in spirit, discipline and fun. One of my favorite people.” Another said, “I’m a paramedic partly because of her. When we did first-aid/CPR in health class, she pulled me aside and told me I had a special ability and that I should do something with it.” And finally, “She is a gifted educator and truly cared about her students.”
The field was made possible in large part due to the contributions made by the wonderful people and businesses of the North Sanpete area and the high school will be honoring them at a Lady Hawk home game on March 21. They include Parish Construction and Property Management, Mikkelsen Construction, Terry R. Brotherson, Christensen Ready Mix, A to Z Glass, and North Sanpete Disposal.
There are so many things that help to make North Sanpete High a great school for our children. Teachers like Shirlene Dovey and contributors from the community help to make the school what it is. And to top the day off, North Sanpete defeated Emery in the inaugural game on the new field, 17-1 (see related story).
