By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

“Getting to Know” is a regular Portage Sports feature created to spotlight the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to become tomorrow’s leaders.

Today, we get to know Kent Roosevelt High School softball coach Luke Darrah, who is in his sixth season leading the Rough Riders’ program.

Q: Hometown?

A: Kent, Ohio.

LUKE DARRAH

Q: High school?

A: Kent Roosevelt High School. Class of 1976. Played baseball and basketball.

Q: College?

A: Kent State University.

Q: Current occupation?

A: Semi-retired. Owner of Repair That Glass Auto Glass and co-owner of Darrah’s All-Star Academy.

Q: What inspired you to become a coach?

A: I played and loved the game of fast-pitch softball.

Q: What makes being a coach at Kent Roosevelt special to you?

A: It is my dream job.

Q: Who has been your biggest influence?

A: Too many to mention, but Leroy Peoples is at the top. He was always honest and didn’t beat around the bush.

Q: Funny story nobody would believe from your playing days?

A: One at-bat at Firestone Stadium, I hit three home runs. Two were called foul (they weren’t) and the third was caught by the left fielder, who jumped over the fence.

Q: Funny story nobody would believe from your coaching career?

A: I forgot to reset my watch for daylight savings time. It is automatic now, but the one time I missed the bus and got there just before the first pitch.

Q: Favorite TV show?

A: The Andy Griffith Show or NCIS.

Q: Favorite movie?

A: The Godfather.

Q: Favorite musical artist?

A: Bruce Springsteen.

Q: Favorite food?

A: Chicken and ice cream.

Q: Best vacation?

A: Recent cruise with my wife, mother, aunts and siblings.

Q: Shoutout to former teammates?

A: Too long ago to remember.

Q: Favorite quote?

A: Leave the gun, take the cannolis.”

Q: Describe your coaching philosophy?

A: Old school and simple. If you teach fundamentals, you can’t go wrong. Too many coaches today want to teach fancy and it doesn’t work.

Q: Favorite restaurant?

A: Texas Road House.

Q: Favorite teacher from high school?

A: Mrs. Biggers (Health). I hated the class, but I loved the teacher.

Q: Advice you would give the younger version of yourself?

A: Do the things you didn’t want to do, but needed to do.

Q: Favorite coach from your playing days?

A: Leroy Peoples.

Q: Coaching resume?

A: Kent Roosevelt JV softball (1982-1991), Hoban varsity (1992-2002), Crestwood varsity (2010-17), Newton Falls varsity (2018) and Kent Roosevelt varsity (2019-present).

Q: Favorite sports team?

A: Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Guardians.

Q: Favorite athlete then?

A: Max Alvis.

Q: Favorite athlete now?

A: Nick Chubb.

Q: First job as a teenager?

A: Mowing lawns.

Q: Family member that always gave you the best advice?

A: My grandfather.

Q: Favorite candy?

A: Kit Kat bars.

Q: First car?

A: 1964 Dodge Dart.

Q: Best friend(s)?

A: My wife.

Q: Most memorable moment as a player?

A: National Men’s Fastpitch Tournament in Orlando, Fla., when our team took fourth place overall.

Q: Most memorable moment as a coach?

A: When a senior who didn’t play much, hit a grand slam to win her Senior Night game.