The Glenwood Springs Excessive Faculty Demons are set to usher in a brand new period for its athletic applications. The Demons have introduced two dynamic additions to their teaching workers: Jordan DeCrow as the brand new head coach for the women basketball crew and Parker Kennedy as the brand new monitor and area coach. These recent faces promise to deliver their distinctive experiences and vibrant power to the varsity’s wealthy athletic custom.
DeCrow takes the reins from Rhonda Moser, who just lately stepped down after practically 10 years as head coach and a complete of 12 years with the women basketball program. Moser’s dedication and impactful management led to a 175-103 profession file, 5 Western Slope League championships, and a memorable state last 4 look.
A Glenwood Springs alum, DeCrow’s journey is a homecoming. She performed school basketball at Luther School in Iowa and has been a Demons fan since childhood, due to her mom, Sandy DeCrow, who coached volleyball. For the previous 5 years, DeCrow has been an assistant coach underneath Moser and in addition serves because the assistant athletic director at GSHS.
New Glenwood Springs women basketball head coach Jordan DeCrow.Jordan DeCrow/Courtesy
“Being an assistant for Rhonda the previous 5 years, I’ve been capable of study a ton from her,” DeCrow stated. “I joined the workers proper out of school, so I used to be there for a yr earlier than COVID hit after which caught round ’til this yr when Rhonda determined to retire. I’m lucky sufficient to have the ability to step in and fill these footwear.”
Regardless of her taking part in profession being lower brief by an ACL damage, DeCrow discovered a brand new path in teaching.
“I performed in school for 2 years earlier than blowing up my ACL,” DeCrow stated. “My coach requested if I wished to step right into a pupil teaching position. So I used to be lucky for 2 years to be a pupil coach underneath school coaches.”
DeCrow is eager on sustaining the crew’s sturdy bonds and continuity.
“I informed the women in our first crew assembly that change is admittedly exhausting,” DeCrow stated. “There’s not going to be a ton of change with me having been right here and already understanding these women. We spent a whole lot of time outdoors of basketball, attending to know one another and simply bonding that approach.”
She appears to be like as much as Moser not solely as a mentor however as a buddy.
“I couldn’t ask for a greater position mannequin outdoors of basketball and one among my greatest mates,” DeCrow stated. “One factor that Rhonda might be the most effective at is rising relationships and actually attending to know every woman.”
On the monitor and area entrance, Parker Kennedy steps in to fill the footwear of Blake Risner, who’s retiring after a legendary 30-year profession. Risner’s tenure noticed the Demons clinch 11 4A Western Slope League Championships, leaving an enduring legacy.
Kennedy hails from Hood River, Oregon, the place he grew up in a fourth-generation farming household. His love for monitor and area started early, excelling within the decathlon and pole vault. He gained the Oregon State Championship in pole vault and performed a pivotal position in his highschool crew’s first state title.
A major setback in Kennedy’s athletic profession got here throughout a decathlon occasion.
“I had a traumatic accident throughout the javelin,” Kennedy stated. “I ended up falling onto the again finish of my javelin, and it went by my eyelid and about midway by my head into the entrance of my mind.”
Remarkably, Kennedy made a swift restoration and continued his athletic pursuits on the College of Washington.
Newly employed Glenwood Springs monitor and area head coach Parker Kennedy.Taylor Cramer/Put up Impartial
“Three months later, I began coaching as a decathlete at UW,” Kennedy stated. “I used to be coaching with an Olympian within the decathlon, Jeremy Taiwo. I discovered rather a lot from elite stage coaches and athletes.”
Following the tip of Kennedy’s collegiate profession in 2021, the embellished monitor and area athlete determined he wished to proceed to be concerned within the sport. Trying to find any alternatives, Kennedy made his approach to the Roaring Fork Valley final yr and stepped into an assistant teaching position for the Demons. Holding a grasp’s diploma in intercollegiate athletic management, Kennedy is obsessed with his new position.
“I’m wanting ahead to constructing the most effective program I can,” Kennedy stated. “I discovered rather a lot from Blake (Risner) and am motivated to proceed his legacy.”
Alongside the kickstart to his head teaching endeavors, Kennedy will even be educating particular training at GSHS subsequent yr.
