Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Cindy Morgan: Contributions On The Home Front

Editor’s Note — This is a behind the scenes look from the perspective of local coaches’ wives as part of a Mother’s Day tribute series. FARMINGTON — Cindy Morgan isn’t burdened with duties being a coach’s wife, on the contrary, when her husband takes her out to the ball game, she is literally having a ball.

Morgan has friends at work who have asked why does she continue to go to all of the Farmington football and softball games since she doesn’t have a kid playing.

“I don’t feel like it’s my duty, it’s a joy,” Morgan said.

Morgan’s husband, Farmington assistant football and softball coach, Steve Morgan, has been at it since 1984 when he began as a football coach.

“We’ve been doing this for a long time. He’s coaching a second generation,” Morgan said

Morgan has some advice for young women engaged to a future or current coach.

“Enjoy sports, that’s going to be your life,” Morgan said.

Morgan has been keeping the Farmington softball scorebook for several years. Steve is big on statistics and Morgan has been a faithful steward, tabulating strikes and hits from the press box while Steve coaches. She relishes the company of Liz Osnes, wife of Farmington head softball coach, Randy Osnes, who formerly coached the junior high football team.

“They get paranoid when they don’t see Cindy,” said Pam Center, mother of Farmington senior softball player, Kendra Center, referring to the value of having individual and team statistics available to the coaching staff.

“When my girls were little and I was working weekends, he had them keeping score,” Morgan said.

The couple have grown twin daughters, Amberlee and Chelsea, now 23. Chelsea is engaged with a wedding planned for December. Morgan fondly recalls both girls played softball for coach Osnes and their dad.

When the Cardinals come up on the wrong end of the scorebook, Morgan handles things by having a short visit with Steve.

“We discuss things that happened. I go to bed and he stays up for a long time,” Morgan said.

Liz Osnes said she purposely stays away from her husband, Randy, after a loss.

“Cindy and I take our time going home. I give him space for a while. Randy and Steve are both very close, they don’t like to lose,” Osnes said.

Morgan said Osnes is an amazing lady and great friend.

“She is always doing whatever she can to help the. team and coaches, running errands, focused on details, considerate of everyone,” Morgan said.

“We’ve made a lot of good friends through the years, getting to know these kids and their parents,” Morgan said.

Technology has eased the separation for spouses when teams travel. Morgan said cell phones are great on road trips for directions to fields, noting she has been called to turn around to get a forgotten item.

“Just having that contact ability is so reassuring,” Morgan said.

The Morgan children have always supported their father’s coaching career and participated.

“I love going to the games with them. They provide great company, especially when Steve is gone a lot,” Morgan said.

The

Morgans

share

in celebrating milestones with friends, family, fellow coaches, players and their parents, usually at a meal out. Their favorite place to gather is at King’s Pizza.