By BRYAN GASKINS
Tribune sports editor
Kokomo — Brent Owens enjoyed a successful baseball career, playing at the high school, college and semi-pro levels. He enjoyed team and individual success at each stop.
Now, Owens is ready to embark on a new chapter in his baseball book as Taylor High School’s coach. The school board approved his selection last week.
“I feel very humbled, first of all, that I’m given the opportunity to do this. At the same time, I’m very excited because of the type of talent that is returning next season,” said Owens, who is the president of CFD Investments and Creative Financial Designs.
Owens is a former Taylor player. He earned All-Mid-Indiana Conference recognition in 1986-88 while playing for Indiana Hall of Fame coach George Phares.
“I would have never considered doing this for any other school,” he said. “[Applying for the position] was not in my thought process. When they said something to me, I really thought about it and prayed about it. I felt like eight doors needed to be opened before I would even consider applying. God opened those doors and now here I am.”
Owens noted Phares has been an invaluable resource for advice, adding his former coach’s support “has meant the world to me.”
The new Taylor skipper also thanked school officials and the board for giving him the opportunity and his wife, Kim, and their three children for their support.
Owens is no stranger to leading a squad. He is a former player/coach for the CFD Saints semi-pro team and more recently, he has coached a Taylor Southeast youth team. He believes his wide range of experiences will help as he makes the jump to varsity baseball.
“I think a lot of people, right off the bat, are going to look at me and say, ‘Hey, he has no varsity baseball experience’ and I respect people who have that opinion. But I think with me being around the CFD Saints for 14 years and playing college baseball for four years, I think I have the experience in what it takes on the field,” he said. “I’ll be honest, my biggest concern is dealing with some of the off-the-field stuff [such as IHSAA rules]. That is where I’m going to be learning stuff on the fly.”
Owens is grateful for a chance to remain involved in the sport he loves. He played at Anderson University and Indiana Wesleyan University, earning team MVP honors at IWU in 1992. He played semi-pro baseball in 1989-2002 and fastpitch softball in 2003-10 for CFD squads.
“Obviously, my day job is to run the CFD companies and I’m thankful that I have some great department heads who have said they are going to step up for me during the baseball season,” he said. “I’m excited to think that hopefully for the next 15, 20 years, or however long the Good Lord wants me to do it, that I will still be on the baseball field.”
Owens replaces Jeremy Luna, who had a 47-33 record over three seasons before stepping down to spend more time with his family. Owens thanked Luna for his support.
Owens joins a competitive Howard County scene. All five teams posted winning records in 2009, then matched that feat in 2010.
Taylor went 22-8 and won a Class 2A sectional title in Luna’s final season — and he left the cupboard well stocked. First-team All-MIC pick Spencer McQueary, second-team all-MIC pick Matt Brankle, Tyler Simmons, Brandon Cooprider, Calib Wininger, Shane Arnold, Ryan Goudy and Taran Knosp form a strong senior class and the junior and sophomore classes are solid as well.
“I believe the 2011 season will be a great way for me to start because there is a ton of talent coming back. There is a ton of senior leadership, and when you look at all three phases of the game, pitching, offense and defense, there is just an awful lot coming back including 16 of the 22 wins on the hill, 17 of the 28 homers and well over 200 hits,” Owens said.
