In a surprising move, Terry Harward has resigned as head coach of the East baseball team.
The coach has restored the school's team to a winning level and has decided to pursue other things in life.
"I've coached for 33 years. It was time to try something else," Harward said.
In some three decades of high school coaching, he managed some pretty impressive numbers, compiling 201 victories against 111 losses.
Harward coached Orem High School to the state title in the mid-1990s. He also spent time coaching at Hillcrest and Alta before taking over at East High six years ago.
During his tenure at the Salt Lake City school, Harward spearheaded the overall improvement in the program and its facilities. From 2001-06, his teams suffered only one losing season in region play, going 4-10 two years ago.
"It's been consistent over the last six years. We're proud of what we've done," he said of his team.
The veteran coach certainly understands that coaching will be tough to give up, especially when it comes to teaching the game.
"I'll miss the games but I loved practice — that's when you can really be a teacher," he said.
Passing on knowledge of America's pastime was enhanced when the school upgraded its baseball diamond. Harward says the improvements wouldn't have been possible without the help from the school administration and community fund raising.
East installed new dugouts, a new back stop and a refurbished infield. The improvements were long overdue, seeing as the old field was one of the worst in Class 4A.
Principal Robyn Roberts is keeping the search for the new coach in-house for now, but it could be expanded if they can't fill the position right away. Whoever the new coach turns out to be, they'll definitely have some big shoes to fill.
"He's put his heart and soul into baseball. Terry's been a real asset to East High," Roberts said. "Even though he's no longer a coach, he can still give back as a teacher."
Over the summer, Harward continued to stay close to the game by working on the grounds crew at Franklin Covey Field for the Salt Lake Bees.