Inductees

He spent 13 years as a policeman, spending days as a high school liaison, and one day the thought hit him: If his days were to be spent around students, why not become a teacher?

And so, at age 35 and with a wife and two children at home, Roger Lower traded in his badge for books, enrolling full-time in college in order to pursue a teaching degree – a degree that ultimately led to an incredible career coaching high school softball.

“I graduated in two years, so I guess I was on the 20-year plan,” Lower joked, “as I graduated from college when I was 37.”

Proving it is never too late to chase your dream, he went on to coach teams to a 508-145 record and three state championships, and it’s why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame proudly inducted Lower with the Class of 2020.

Specifically, 458 wins were at Blue Springs High School. That covered 20 seasons and five Final Fours, including a trio of Class 4 state championships (1996, 1999, 2008). The 2008 team finished 31-0, the only unbeaten record for any Class 4 state championship team in state history. Blue Springs’ 2007 team placed third and the 2011 team was a state runner-up.

In many ways, his teams embodied Blue Springs’ 2000 team, which soldiered through a 35-inning game against Truman High School in a state quarterfinal, with the pitchers combining for 66 strikeouts. (Truman won 1-0.)

“Our program only had one rule: DTRT – Do The Right Thing,” said Lower, who spent his final three seasons at Liberty North High School, where he earned win No. 500 in October 2019. “Whether that was on the field, in class, at home, or whenever. If you do that you have respect for those around you, parents, teammates, classmates, siblings, teachers and, whatever situation you find yourself in, you Do The Right Thing.”

In 1996, after a decade of various coaching roles at The Barstow School, Raytown High School and then Blue Springs, Blue Springs principal Ted Lewman and athletic director Tim Crone walked into his elementary class with an offer.

“They asked if I would like to be the varsity softball coach at Blue Springs,” Lower said. “Knowing that they had the All-Metro pitcher and catcher coming back, I jumped at the chance. Those two men changed my life.”

The 1996 team (25-2) became Kansas City’s first state championship softball team after a 4-0 win over Cor Jesu Academy. His first win (1-0) was against Winnetonka, which Blue Springs later beat 1-0 in the semifinals.

The Wildcats outscored opponents 129-35 and featured three All-State selections in pitcher Brandi Kessler (23-1, 0.44 ERA, 206 strikeouts), catcher Courtney Walter (24 RBI, didn’t allow a steal) and first baseman Holly Griffith (game-winning RBI in district final, sectional and semifinal).

“We had nine seniors that had heard all about how much better softball was in St. Louis and they were ready to show that they knew how to play the game,” Lower said.

The 1999 team (30-2) outscored opponents 180-28, yielding only one run in its final seven games. Lindsey Major (25-2, 0.23 ERA), Heather Maggard (25 RBI, 5-0 record, 0.21 ERA) were standouts along with Blair Smith, Rachelle Heath and Ashley Maybee.

And the 2008 team?

“The 2007 team lost in the state semifinals, had a team meeting immediately after the game and vowed to work harder than they ever had and not lose another game,” Lower said. “True to their word, they never lost another game.”

Then-seniors Lauren Eisenreich, Jocelyn Price, Amanda Self and Kaylea Smith led the way as Blue Springs outscored opponents 221-18. Price, Self, Mackenzie Sykes, Ashtin Stephens and Kelsey Kessler were First Team All-State.

Years later, he earned win No. 500 without telling anyone, because it was Liberty North’s senior night. Additionally, Lower was an assistant coach on five other Final Four teams in three other Blue Springs sports – baseball, boys basketball and girls basketball.

Looking back, Lower appreciates so many who made his career a success: His wife, Karen, and their three sons, Kyle, Kurt and Kory; and assistant coaches Denise Parker and Amanda Self.

“To the players and parents who have been part of the programs at Blue Springs and Liberty North: This award belongs to you,” Lower said. “Any successes we have had are because of the hard work and dedication of those players and parents. I appreciate all you have done and thank you for taking me on this wonderful ride.”