April 04, 2019 / By mobanmarket
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Lehi High School assistant coach Carla Grow passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 2 succumbing to injuries sustained after being struck by lightning on Sunday, Aug. 30.
“We lost a tremendous, selfless human being and she will be missed,” said head coach Tim Kennedy.
Everyone here on staff at the NFCA wishes to send our most heartfelt condolences to her family and those associated with the Lehi softball program during this difficult time.
Grow’s funeral was held on Sept. 5. A Go-Fund-Me account has been organized to help with memorial and funeral costs.
“We’re devastated, but we will have a stronger purpose as we embark on this upcoming season,” Kennedy said. “Carla will be in our minds.”
Grow, who helped the program win back-to-back state championships (20014 & 2015), also worked with the FFA and the Lehi Longhorn rodeo team, served as the school’s parking monitor and was well known for her service and involvement with her church. However, administrators said her greatest accomplishment was the updated softball field.
“She was here every morning at 6 a.m. helping contractors, picking up bricks for the dug out and making Home Depot runs,” Kennedy said. “It was her vision. She made this field the masterpiece it is.”
A personal touch on the softball field is Carla’s handprint, marked with initials C.G. in the dugout.
“I will miss her so much,” senior second baseman Abby Padilla said. “She was my coach, my neighbor and my friend. She was always here hours before each game – prepping the field for us. She had so much love for us and the sport.”
Lehi students tied purple ribbons to the backstop of the softball field to honor Grow.
“This is so surreal,” Student Advocate Kellie Jo Jones said. “Carla was so vibrant, and to think now she’s not…is very difficult.”
The Lehi High School Softball Team is planning their annual Pancake Fundraiser and Home Run Derby. The event will be held on Saturday, October 10th. The team plans to donate a bulk of the funds to the Grow family.
“Carla was more than just strategizing x’s and o’s.” Kennedy said. “The girls called her the team mom. She cared about them, but she was a fireball too. She once got thrown out of a game for arguing with the ref. It was awesome. She was passionate, and it showed.”
**information courtesy of KUTV
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