ASH Baseball Field Dedication

Coach Don Boniol: Building A Legacy By: Ashlynn B., Media I Standing in the outfield for the first time, glove in hand, young Don Boniol eagerly awaits the ball to be thrown his way. Suddenly the ball comes flying towards him, and while missing it with his glove, the ball smacks against his bare hand. With his hand still throbbing from the sting of the ball, Boniol knew from that moment on that Baseball was the sport he loved.

Boniol coached at Alexandria Senior High from 1986 to 2004 leading the ASH baseball team to a total of 383 wins during his career. From a 47 game winning streak to two state championships in a row he created a legacy in ASH baseball many will never forget.

Despite all of Boniol’s success, his family has always been a priority. Before coaching at ASH he coached at Bolton, but began his work at ASH to be closer to his wife and kids.

His wife was a teacher and both of his sons played for ASH; Boniol began his legacy with the intentions of being closer to his family.

On the field Boniol stresses hard work and tireless dedication, his life at home; however, is surrounded by love and unconditional support. His wife and his two kids are always his priority over his career. Even with Boniol’s busy lifestyle, his wife Linda states, “we have always worked together for our family.”

While coaching at ASH, Boniol had a 77% winning percentage but credits everything to his players. “He put in just as much work as we did” states Daniel Tomlin, one of his former players. Boniol himself claims he “was never the best player, but I never stopped.”

This philosophy carried over to his coaching and “no matter if you were the best or the worst player on the team, you were still putting in the same amount of work” says Tomlin.

Boniol did not believe the talent of a few players would lead them to victories, rather the collaborative efforts of everyone on the team striving for the same goal to win.

Boniol practiced with his payler’s relentlessly with just a fraction of the facilities that the school has today. The field the players practed on “wasn’t even a real field, the right field was a garden for the 4-H club,” states Boniol. When Boniol became head coach he knew this had to change. After many seasons of work, Boniol was able to provide the ASH baseball program with the field they have today.

Now the school has the honor of dedicating the field to a man who truly made an impact not only ASH, but also on the players who were a part of his program.