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These articles, the most
recent from the July 26, 2019, McMinnville
News-Register, and the oldest from the May 8, 1979, Oregonian, are about or include mention of Linfielder Larry Barnett. From Hillsboro and now a
McMinnville resident, he graduated from Linfield in 1968. At Hillsboro High he
played for coach Ad Rutschman, a Linfielder. At Linfield he played for another
Linfielder, Roy Helser. In the 1979 article note mention of Linfielder Larry
Hermo (coached baseball at Yamhill Carlton High 1962-1967).Not mentioned in any
of these articles is the connection to Yamhill of Linfielder Paul Durham. His
first job, for four years after graduating from Linfield in 1936, was teaching
and coaching at Yamhill High School.
Legacy of success
Jul 26, 2019
By LOGAN BRANDON of the
News-Register
YAMHILL – John Kuehnel longs to bring
a state championship to Yamhill-Carlton High School’s softball program.
Plain and simple.
For 22 years, Kuehnel has
managed the Tigers’ team to unrivaled, and equally important, consistent
success. Kuehnel’s softball team is one of few Y-C programs with sustained
levels of regular and postseason contention.
In recent years, the Tigers’
football, girls’ soccer, girls’ basketball, wrestling and track and field have
earned their share of triumphs, yet the softball group’s respectability dates
back two decades.
In Kuehnel’s 22 seasons,
he’s accumulated 380 wins, which places him ninth on Oregon’s all-time list.
The Tigers have qualified for the state playoffs 19 times, meaning Kuehnel’s
guidance has resulted in only three seasons without a postseason appearance.
It’s taken an enormous
amount of effort, says Kuehnel.
“I coach a lot these girls
from when they’re 11 years old on – it’s incredibly important to teach them
these skills early in their careers. It takes a commitment, but all of the most
successful programs have these talent pipelines,” he noted.
All the work is worth it, he
adds. He’s fully committed to his alma mater – to the school he’s been a part
of for most of his life.
That’s why adding a state
championship to Y-C’s trophy room remains his utmost priority.
“There have been only four
state final appearances in our school’s history. We’ve had a few more semifinal
appearances, but not very many. If we could become that fifth team, it’d make a
huge difference for this team, school and community,” noted Kuehnel.
John Kuehnel attended
Yamhill-Carlton High School as a standout baseball player for head coach Larry
Barnett. The same Larry Barnett, as Y-C’s athletic director, who later hired
Kuehnel to his softball manager position in the ‘90s.
Barnett remains the single
greatest sports influence and mentor in Kuehnel’s career. The two formed an
impressive working partnership in Kuehnel’s early years as a head coach,
leading to their lengthy friendship today.
In Yamhill County, many are
familiar with Barnett. He’s considered a softball savant, coaching
student-athletes from local high schools. His athletic imprint is left on many
championship-caliber programs, including Y-C’s.
Recently, Barnett suffered
complications in surgery related to a major heart attack. He’s currently
recovering at home, where Kuehnel often visits him.
Asked about his friendship
with Barnett, Kuehnel grew emotional. His respect for his mentor is clearly
evident as he searches for words.
“I love the guy to death,”
said Kuehnel. “I loved playing for him. He’s helped me so much over the years.
He’s always been a presence here – he works with all our hitters.
“I feel bad for the state
he’s in right now. But I’m hoping he comes back out of it. I’m confident he’ll
back in it,” he added.
Once Kuehnel was hired as a
softball coach by Barnett, he brought a variety of experience to the position.
As an accomplished high school and brief college player, Kuehnel later played
modified fast pitch and slow pitch until his daughters reached high school.
When his eldest daughter was
a sophomore, Kuehnel took over the program. The team was in desperate need of a
culture change.
“We had a pretty successful
first year, considering two years before we won only three games. When I took
over in ’97, we ended up going 17-7. It was quite a nice year,” he remembered.
In 1998, Kuehnel earned a
full-time job with the school district. He handles custodial, maintenance and
grounds work for the schools. His proximity to the high school proved a massive
benefit to the job, he discovered.
“It’s allowed me to work
around my coaching hours. It’s ideal for a guy like me who wants to devote
himself to coaching,” said Kuehnel.
Though his career has
occasionally proven stressful, any negative aspects are overridden by the
opportunity to work with children.
Kuehnel met with the
News-Register to reflect on his coaching career and his lofty plans for the
softball program.
N-R: What led you to coaching?
Kuehnel: I coached slow pitch and I coached since I was out of
high school.
When my old baseball coach,
Larry Barnett, contacted me about coaching, I couldn’t resist. I really admire
him and he got me into coaching. He’s been my baseball coach and my athletic
director, so it worked out for me.
I enjoy coaching. Even after
my daughters graduated, I continued doing it.
I really love bringing up
the younger groups to eventually play for the high school team. I’ve got a great
group at the middle school level, so I’m hoping every sticks it out.
N-R: What’s it mean to coach at your alma mater?
Kuehnel: I told Larry at the start that I wanted to give back. I
have a lot to give, so I’m going to give it back to the community I grew up in.
I wanted to give the kids
something that they would remember when they get out of high school.
That’s why it’s important we
gain that next level of success and reach the state finals. We’ve had a lot of
success, but school’s like Dayton have played in the last five championships.
We need to draw that level of interest in softball here.
We have a promising future
and I’m looking forward to it.
I keep telling our eighth
graders that we shouldn’t lose to Dayton anymore. That’s the mentality I want
them to take into their careers.
N-R: What are the most important lessons Larry Barnett taught
you?
Kuehnel: Perseverance. He always taught us to keep going.
He’s been great for me and
I’ll always appreciate his time as athletic director.
N-R: What advice would you give a new coach?
Kuehnel: You have to let things roll – you can’t take things
personally in high school softball. There are some pretty wacky parents out
there and the kids deal with it in different ways. You have to learn to relate
to them and understand where they’re coming from. You have to coach them any
way you can – it’s about understanding.
Longevity in coaching is
becoming less and less. Parents and players can be more disrespectful today –
and even some coaches don’t get it.
Us old coaches let it roll
off our backs, but the younger generations don’t want to deal with it. Coaches
quit because they don’t want to deal with crazy parents screaming at them all
the time.
N-R: What have been your proudest moments as a head coach?
Kuehnel: Getting kids to the next level. I’ve seen a lot of my
players play at the college level, and that’s definitely a source of pride.
It’s not because of my coaching – I can teach them the fundamentals and finer
skills, but they put in the work to make it.
Anyone that tells you a
certain coach can get you to college is lying to you. That coach can help you
along the way, but a coach cannot do it for you.
For me, I feel like I’m
doing my job if the kids are successful in high school and they have the
opportunity to move on to the next level. That’s what makes me feel like a
successful high school softball coach.
Barnett honored with court
bearing his name
Dec 11, 1999
By JOEY SPRINKLE of the
News-Register
YAMHILL - Larry Barnett,
former baseball and boys basketball coach at Yamhill-Carlton High, was honored
Friday as the school named the basketball court where he plied his trade in
honor of the coaching great.
"Larry Barnett
Court" was christened in Barnett fashion - with a victory. Minutes after
the ceremonies, the Tigers went out and rolled to an 81-60 victory over North
Marion.
As ironies would have it,
Walt Hamer, the head coach of North Marion, was Barnett's junior high coach.
"There's a lot of fond
memories here," Barnett said. "A lot of great people and great
memories."
Barnett coached the baseball
team from 1970-99. His 378-241 record played a big part in his election into
the Oregon Baseball Hall of Fame earlier this year.
Barnett took over the boys
freshman basketball team in 1970 and coached it for four years before being
named head varsity coach in 1970 and leading the Tigers to a 342-312 record
before retiring after the '98-'99 season. Barnett's Tigers went to the state playoffs
four times in the '90s, including the 1992 state championship.
Barnett said he had
opportunities to pursue other coaching vacancies over the years, but never felt
a sense to leave Yamhill-Carlton.
"I always said no.
There was no reason I could ever come up with to leave," he said.
Barnett continues to be
co-athletic director at the school. He said what little time has been freed up,
he would like to use to watch the Y-C girls team play some basketball.
"I didn't get a chance
to see the girls play much," Barnett said. "Just being around keeps
me feeling young. I enjoy still having a part in something here."
Barnett received a standing
ovation almost before emcee David Blanchard could finish his introduction.
Barnett was also given a
one-of-a-kind ring signifying his championship at Y-C. The Booster Club
unveiled a banner that reads, "Welcome to Larry Barnett Court."
Many former players - one
from as far away as Kansas City - were on hand to offer congratulations.
"It's such an honor to
have someone think of me in this way," Barnett said. "I just want to
say thank you."
Fact box:
Baseball coach: 1970-99
Record: 378-241
Basketball coach: 1974-98
Record: 342-312
State Basketball
Championship, 1992
3A Coach of the Year, 1992
Oregon Baseball Hall of
Fame, 1999
....
Barnett joins elite in high
school baseball coaches Hall of Fame
Oct 16, 1999
By STEVE FOX of the
News-Register
Former Yamhill-Carlton
baseball coach Larry Barnett is being inducted into the Oregon High School
Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Friday in Portland.
The ceremony will be held at
7:30 p.m. at the Airport Sheraton.
"Any time you get
included with a group of guys that includes Ad Rutschman, Perry Stubberfield,
Jack Dunn and Mel Krause, it's just overwhelming," Barnett said. "It's
a tremendous feeling to even be mentioned in the same breath."
Barnett, who lives in
McMinnville, compiled a 378-241 record in 27 years at Y-C. He also coached
basketball and served as athletic director. He officially retired last spring,
but is serving as co-athletic director on a part-time basis this year to smooth
the transition.
Barnett led the Tigers,
often the team with the smallest school enrollment in its league, to seven
league championships and 10 state tournament appearances. He was a varsity head
coach for 30 years before retiring.
"Y-C has always been a
real competitive baseball community," he said. "I wouldn't have
stayed there 27 years coaching if I didn't enjoy it. The players are all hard
working and the parents were always really supportive."
He joins former Linfield
College football and baseball coach Ad Rutschman and former Mac High coach
Perry Stubberfield in the hall of fame. Rutschman and Stubberfield are both
McMinnville residents as well.
Barnett played for Rutschman
at Hillsboro High School before attending Linfield College and playing under
coach Roy Helser.
"I know I wouldn't be
there if I hadn't played for and known Ad Rutschman," Barnett said.
"You can't help but take on a lot of his philosophies in dealing with
athletes and people in general.
"A lot of my success
came from there. You become a better ballplayer having played for him, and by
just knowing him, become a better person."
Barnett coached the Tigers
to the state championship game in 1973, but lost to South Umpqua. The game was
played in Portland's Civic Stadium.
Barnett has fond memories of
his days coaching in the Yawama League. Only the league champ advanced to the
state tournament, and his Tigers finished second to Sherwood his first three
years despite compiling a 36-6 league record.
His teams went on to win
seven of the next nine league titles. Later, Y-C was moved into the Tri-Valley
League, then the Val-Co League.
"We always seemed to
meet the eventual state champs along the way in the playoffs," Barnett
said. "We had a lot of success in the early '70s. Then it got a little
tougher when we got put in with Hood River and Gladstone in the Tri-Valley. The
Val-Co was equally tough."
Barnett will be accompanied
by his wife, Annette, his daughter, Keri, and his son, Brian, for the induction
ceremony. "A lot of sacrifices have to be made when you're part of a
coach's family," he said.
