Darrell Rosenow was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Rosenow and raised in the Clay Center-Green area. He was the Valedictorian of his graduating class of 1954 at Clay Center High School. Rosenow received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in agronomy from Kansas State University. In 1964, Darrell went to Texas A&M to work on his doctorate in agronomy.
While in college at Texas A&M, Darrell worked at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Lubbock, Texas. When he received his Ph.D. in 1970, Dr. Rosenow, known as ‘Doc’, was hired as a permanent worker at the experiment station. His work focused on enhancing “the growth of grain sorghum in developing areas of the world and for domestic use. His research and experimentation led to genetically enhanced grain sorghum that is used in agriculture domestically and as an international food that feeds 500 million people. “
When Doc wasn’t at work, he spent time with his wife, Beverly, and their three daughters, Becky, Kristi, and Sheri. Darrell’s love of softball began in Kansas, where he played on the Clay Center Co-Op / Community High School fast pitch softball team, as a pitcher, with his brother Don Rosenow (Clay Center) and others like Raymond Nelson (Riley). ), Lyle Pfaff (Leonardville), Joe Steiner (Manhattan), Lyle Walter (Riley), the late Dennis Grater (Clay Center) and the late Clair Johnson (Leonardville). The team won championships in 1958 and 1962, and other teams Doc played for won national titles in 1994 and 1996. In 2000, Doc was inducted into the Kansas Amateur Softball Association (ASA). His brother Don was listed as a player as well in 1990 and his father Ivan was listed as a softball manager in 2001.
This love of softball led Doc to coach Coronado (Lubbock, Texas) women’s summer team, Pony Express, in 1999. Doc donated money and spent many hours on the summer program and worked with the players, especially the pitcher, during the break. -season. “He went out of his way to help athletes succeed,” said Doc’s brother Don. “He was also a mentor and a great friend to JJ Johnson, the Coronado High School softball coach.”
When Darrell ‘Doc’ Rosenow died in October 2009, the Coronado softball family lost a man of great character and integrity who was dedicated and dedicated to the development of the girls softball program. Doc was nicknamed “Angel in the Outfield” and on February 22, 2011, the Coronado High School softball field was named DARRELL ‘DOC’ ROSENOW FIELD.
Don Rosenow threw the first ceremonial pitch on the field named after his brother, while everyone in attendance threw red balloons in honor of Doc.
The plaque on the softball field reads:
“Doc was a rare, selfless person, but above all an example of great character and integrity. He passed away after a sudden illness on October 10, 2009, but the lessons and memories he instilled in those around him will survive forever.
“Doc had a long career as a fast pitch softball player, specifically as a pitcher, in Texas and Kansas. He played in various national tournaments winning titles in 1994 and 1996. He is a member of the Kansas ASA Hall of Fame. His love of the game led him to start coaching Coronado’s summer team, Pony Express, in 1999. He continued to oversee the summer and fall teams for a decade. The girls he coached learned to live not only to be great athletes, but also to be great people.
“It was in his nature to help people and he dedicated his life’s work to enhancing the growth of grain sorghum in developing areas of the world and for home use. His research and experimentation has led to genetically improved grain sorghum being used in agriculture nationwide. ” and as an international food that feeds 500 million people.
“The Coronado Softball program would like to honor the life of this amazing man, not only for his accomplishments, but for the impact he had on the girls he coached and on anyone who had the privilege of meeting him. He will always be with us in the world. field and in our hearts, Doc is truly our “angel” in the field. “