Daryl Cronk

To know Daryl was to know his love of baseball which was second only to his love of helping others. Daryl started his career playing at Belton High School in Belton, Missouri where he compiled numerous baseball records and was later inducted into the 2014 Athletics Hall of Fame. As a player at Pittsburg State University, he compiled numerous accolades and set university records for career victories and innings pitched. He was inducted into the Pitt State Hall of Fame in 2014. He went on to further his education at the University of Central Missouri where he was an Assistant Coach and helped the 2010 Mules Baseball Team to the Division II World Series. That team was later inducted into the Mules Hall of Fame. In 2011, he became the Head Coach at Avila University. While at Avila, he compiled over 250 wins, 2 Conference Championships, 3 NAIA National Tournament Appearances, five 30+ win seasons, and was a 2 time HAAC Coach of the Year. The 2012 team was later inducted into the Avila Athletics Hall of Fame. 

In December 2021, Daryl passed away unexpectedly leaving an incredible legacy. While Daryl’s baseball career was impressive, he is most remembered by how he lived his life. Daryl believed that the true mark of man’s character is how you spend the time between your birth and your death, your DASH. He spent his DASH making a positive impact on his community and in the lives of the young athletes he coached and mentored. 

The Daryl Cronk DASH Foundation will continue his legacy.