Ashley Rogers has never forgotten the role her dad, Loring, played in her life.
From his untimely passing to the presentation of a signed softball at Copper Basin High School last week, Ashley has always credited her dad’s influence.
Ashley was a sophomore in high school in 2016 when she announced her plans to play for the University of Tennessee Lady Vols. Loring never got to see what Ashley would accomplish on, or off, the field.
In a tribute to her dad, Ashley wrote how, “It was just like any other Sunday.” While the family was getting dressed to go to church Loring had gone ahead to make coffee, pass out bulletins, and prepare each classroom for Sunday School. All were normal chores for Loring, who was remembered for his strong faith and Christ-like approach to life.
As the family was leaving, Ashley’s mom, Lynda, got a phone call. Loring said, “I think I’m having a heart attack.”
Loring died December 11, 2016, at 52 years old. Over 1,000 visitors would pack the visitation service.
Ashley wrote, “I did not see it then, but he was forming me into the person and athlete I am today.”
She talked about his lectures, his constant push to make her better. She remembered thinking, “I’m not going to miss these.” That would later change to “I would give so much just to be chewed out by him again...Sadly, I could not see it then, but he was my biggest supporter.”
That support gave her the foundation for her stellar, five year career with the Lady Vols.
Her honors read like a Who’s Who in college softball.
She was the National Fastpitch Coaches Assocaition Pitcher of the Year in 2023 and named to the association’s first team All American squad.
Honors in 2023 included Southeastern Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year and First Team All SEC. She was also an Academic All American.
Her final season saw her win 20 games for the third time in her career with a 0.92 ERA. She tossed 13 complete games with six shutouts.
Her honors in previous seasons are just as impressive.
The Lady Vols’ season ended in the semi-finals of the College World Series, having won 51 games and finishing sixth in the NCAS rankings.
Ashley spoke emotionally about Loring during the press conference following the Lady Vols’ semi-final loss.
“He was the biggest Tennessee fan,” she said of Loring as she talked about the pride she felt having had the opportunity to wear the orange and white. She told how Loring was laid to rest in a Tennessee orange shirt with a Power T on his headstone. “And that just says the most about what Tennessee has meant to me,” Ashley said.
The Lady Vols’ coach, Karen Weekly, recognized Ashley and Kiki Milloy as
“the leadership of the team” throughout the season.
During the press conference, Milloy said of Rogers, she has “so much poise and so much confidence.”
Last week, as Ashley was continuing her softball career in Florida, Loring Rogers’ dad, Claude Rogers, presented a softball from Ashley to Copper Basin High School Principal Holly Smith. Autographed by Ashley, it simply says, “Thank you, Dad,” and is signed by Ashley.
It will occupy a special place in the school’s trophy case.
This is not Ashley’s first contribution to her dad’s alma mater. She has visited to give members of the Lady Cougars softball team pointers, as she has not forgotten her dad’s contribution to Copper Basin.
Loring Rogers was an academic and athletic standout at Copper Basin, where he graduated at the top of his class in 1982.
Concentrating on math and science, he won the Algebra I and II and Geometry awards as well as honors in French II, American History and Physical Education.
Rogers’ basketball honors were just as impressive, earning placement on the Chattanooga Free Press All Tri-State first team, making regular appearances on all-tournament teams in district and region competitions, and Cougar honors as Most Improved, Best Offense, and Best Defense.
He served as president of the Beta Club and vice president of the Student Council.
The softball will serve to remind students, faculties and families alike to the mark he left on the school and on his daughter’s life.
(You can read Ashley’s complete tribute to her dad and her career at UT at extrainningsoftball.com and at UTsports.com).