Field dedicated to ‘Coach Geno’

The field was dedicated Sunday afternoon as “Coach Geno Field” on what would have been his 67th birthday. Himes died April 4, 2022, after a long battle with prostate cancer.

He would have been humbled and honored to have received the dedication, his family said.

Wendy Himes, his wife, said he coached sports and cared deeply for all players for over 30 years. He taught his sons, Shane and Brad Himes, the game of baseball and served as a basketball coach for his daughter, Angel Page. He also coached his many grandchildren and their friends.

“It would mean a lot to him with all the players showing up. It’s really awesome,” Wendy said, adding Himes loved to pray for his players. His favorite prayer, the Lord’s Prayer, was recited during the dedication ceremony.

Family and friends of Gene “Coach Geno” Himes cut the ribbon Sunday during a dedication ceremony at Hamilton Park renaming the baseball field in Himes’ honor.
Mirror photo by Matt Churella

Many of his former players, like Adrienne Harding of Altoona, said Coach Geno was like another father figure to them. Harding and Page are childhood friends and played basketball for Himes.

“He taught me to believe in myself,” Harding said. “He was the most wonderful man I knew. He would have done anything for me and my family.”

Last year, Toby Lynch, 14, of Greenwood, made a mitt in memory of Himes, which he said has brought his strength in life and good luck on the baseball field.

“He made me mentally strong as well as physically strong and he made sure I was fine at home and everything was fine on the field,” Lynch said. “He was a really good coach and a mentor.”

One of the life lessons Himes instilled in him was that “it’s not going to be easy, but it’s going to be worth it.”

The baseball field at Hamilton Park was dedicated Sunday in memory of Gene “Coach Geno” Himes on what would have been his 67th birthday. From left: Himes’ son, Shane Himes, wife, Wendy Himes, son, Brad Himes, and daughter Angel Page stand with the sign unveiled at the dedication ceremony.
Mirror photo by Matt Churella

“I use it every day in school. I still play baseball,” he said.

Another former player — Caleb Daugherty, 15, of Hollidaysburg — said Himes taught him to never give up. “If you get knocked down seven times, get back up eight,” Daugherty said of what he learned from Himes.

Central Blair Recreation Commission Executive Director Michael Hofer said he met Himes 15 years ago. He always had a smile on his face and loved other people, Hofer said.

“Gene was always willing to give back to his community, and if it was for kids, he was the first to step up,” he said.

Himes’ children said the field dedication meant a lot to their family.

Shane Himes said his father didn’t just teach the team he was coaching and would often invite other kids to attend their practices.

“It wasn’t about making one of our teams to be the best. He just wanted each kid no matter what team they were on to be the best that they could be,” he said.

Brad Himes said, “it means a lot to us” that they’re able to share their father’s stories and life lessons with future generations of baseball players by having the field dedicated to his name.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.