From Ann Tubbs, Denton, Texas
I have four memories of Dianne Baker to share:
Hearing Bake talk about her journey as an athlete coming to TWU. She spoke of her love for the university, the people who welcomed her and made her feel at home, and the opportunities TWU provided to help her build a satisfying and successful life. Bake spoke at a noon Rotary meeting in 2000 and there were very few dry eyes. A powerful story told by a dedicated TWU alum.
The great fun we had putting together a community-wide party in Pioneer Hall to celebrate Bake’s NCAA Silver Anniversary Award. Bobby Trevino and staff converted Kitty Magee Arena into a softball diamond complete with a pitcher’s mound. Bake had a great time celebrating and we had a great time honoring her.
Watching Bake work with young women – teaching them softball skills and life skills. What a legacy!
Enjoying the privilege of friendship with Bake. You are terrific! I wish you much happiness and many more successes!!!
From Sheila Sterling, Argyle, Texas
TWU Class of 2002 & 2004
(former first baseman and graduate assistant coach)
Imagine being a freshman and your only goal in life at this time is to impress Dianne Baker. Keep in mind that you think you are doing a fantastic job, while she however is not so impressed with you. You finally have a practice and you are getting some one-on-one time with Coach. Great. This is your time to show her what you are made of, but do you? Of course not.....this is what you do instead.
Coach is talking to you and you are intently listening to every word she is saying until, out of the corner of your eye, you see the other coaches throwing tennis balls at the catchers. At first you give a look and then continue to focus on Coach, but on your second glance, which was your first mistake, you see one of the tennis balls get caught in the catcher’s facemask, and well of course at this point you are no longer looking at Coach, but rather staring intently at the catchers and giggling. Being a freshman, you assume that Coach will not notice. Idiot, of course she will notice.
Coach calmly asks you, "Sheila, are listening to me?" and of course the reply was, "Yes."
Well with that being said, the next question from Coach was, "Then what did I say?"
At this point I had one of two options - to try and make something up or to own up to it. I went with choice two and just owned up to it and told her, "Coach, I have no idea what you said."
The next move by her is infamous: I soon got “the finger point at” and “the come here.” While she is yelling, keep in mind I am about six inches taller that her so she is looking up to me waving her finger in my face. She is asking if I would like to get on board with what she is doing and all I am worried about is that fact that she might kill me...the wonderful times we had. This was just the first of many close encounters.
From Jane Erwin, Denton, Texas
We’ve had great times together as fundraisers! Dianne is not only a great softball coach; she is a superb fundraiser, especially for Pioneer Athletics!
Dianne, you are well respected in the Denton community and we at TWU cherish you. You are truly a distinguished alumna among our 50,000 plus alumni of Texas Woman’s University. Enjoy that retirement—it is one of the best opportunities we have in life.
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