VIDEO: Clutch hitter for Peoria's children, spring training - Peoria Independent (2024)

When it comes to professional sports, there’s always going to be a time when somebody needs to step up and make that clutch play.

Rosalind Shanley, who has helped operate spring training over the years in Peoria, has often been this person.

Overseeing droves of volunteers at the Peoria Sports Complex every season as general manager of the Peoria Diamond Club is no small task.

It's a job that she recently stepped down from after a number of years.

But her fellow associates said the reliability she brought to her work and her grace under pressure was akin to that clutch hit in the ninth inning, pushing the team to victory.

Peoria Diamond Club President Steve Harvey said Shanley has been the face of the Diamond Club and is now retiring after 15 years with the organization.

Early in her involvement with the Diamond Club, she was the volunteer coordinator where she made her initial impact. Harvey said she was instrumental in putting together the phenomenal 400+ person volunteer team that work as the labor force for the Arizona home of the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners every season.

Harvey went on to say that all the volunteers have great respect for Shanley and think she is terrific.

“She showed her commitment to the Diamond Club a few years ago when the general manager at the time stepped down a week into spring training, the busiest time of year for the organization. But Roz stepped up, and ran the games. She knew everything. At that time, the board of directors said, ‘Let’s just get through spring training and then figure out what to do.’ She did such a good job that she was given the permanent general manager job, where she also excelled.” Harvey said.

“As Roz steps down, she is leaving the Diamond Club in far better shape than it ever was. She will be missed. She has made such an impact on the Diamond Club that the board recently created an endowment fund in her honor.”

For her service to the greater community Shanley has been named a Peoria Independent Hometown Hero in the Cheerleader category.

The Hometown Heroes Awards are a celebration of individuals who live, work or teach in the city, and Peoria businesses for their achievements and distinguished contributions to the community and beyond.

Shanley will be honored at an awards luncheon next month. The third annual Hometown Heroes luncheon will honor those nominated in 2023.

In addition to saving the city money by providing a labor force for spring training, Peoria Diamond Club is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting community programs that educate and enrich children’s lives, while enhancing their futures. Through partnerships, sponsorships, donations, and volunteer efforts, PDC raises funds for local youth charities and organizations.

Shanley has networked extensively in Peoria and said there is always a service, business or nonprofit that can help anyone with what they need, but those needs are great, especially the need to support children’s programs, which is increasing faster than money can be raised for them.

“Since we support youth charities, I have been privileged to be a conduit between the groups that need the most help and those who are willing to give it,” she said. “It’s all about relationships, from the city management teams to Peoria Unified School District to businesses and sponsors. I’ve been blessed in my job to be in a position to help others.”

She added that we are all here in service of each other.

“We all have our gifts and once you can figure yours out and apply it for the good of others, that’s happiness. A small act of kindness, even a smile or a hug, can make a huge difference in someone’s day. Why not do that to make life a little easier for all?”

Helping execute spring training games at Peoria Sports Complex is a cornerstone to the Diamond Club’s annual fundraising efforts, which allows them to provide grants to organizations and scholarships to students.

Mike Hyland, superintendent of sports complex operations, said the Red Shirt volunteers are an integral part of the Peoria stadium spring training experience. From the parking lot, to ticketing taking, ushering and more, the volunteers help enhance the experience of every guest that enters through the gates, Hyland said.

“Roz truly cares about people, everyone’s well-being, and that they are cared for,” he said. “The volunteers she leads, the co-workers she works alongside with, and the kids in the community are supported by the Diamond Club’s mission.”

Blake Englert, venues and recreation manager for Peoria’s parks and recreation department, has known Shanley for 15 years and said she has had a positive impact not only on the PDC, but on the Peoria community as a whole.

“It has always been clear that her motivation with the Diamond Club was wholly to contribute a positive impact on the community and celebrate those who volunteer their time to do that,” he said.

As Shanley moves into retirement, she is looking forward to doing more things she loves — activities like golfing, hiking and pickleball, among others.

Monte Ryan, a 13-year board member of the Peoria Diamond Club, said Shanley late in her career was active in spearheading an increase of sponsorships for the organization, which has driven more income for the charities they support.

“She has done a marvelous job in leading the organization and has been an incredible asset to our club,” Ryan said. “She has high character and ethics, and I couldn’t say enough in that regard. Plus she is a caring and conscientious person who has set the bar high.”

Get to know Shanley more here.

Philip Haldiman can be reached at phaldiman@iniusa.org, or on Twitter @philiphaldiman. We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.