Welcome to our series, #WHYoming.
We are highlighting people from around our communities and asking them a few questions. We want to learn a little about them and see why they chose this great state to raise their families, start their businesses, or simply to ask — Why Wyoming?
For this week’s #WHYoming, I had a chance to talk with Blair Aimone, the first head softball coach for Green River High school. A Colorado native, Blair has lived in Green River since 2014, and she always saw the lack of high school softball as the one and only downside of living in Wyoming. Now, she is excited to see the high school program flourish as the athletes finally get their chance to represent their school.
Blair has been playing softball since she was 5 years old, and ultimately took her softball career to Chadron State College. While playing at Chadron, she earned multiple honors and was the team captain for three years. When she’s not on the field, she works as the Vice President and Senior Lender for State Bank in Green River and Rock Springs. After seven years in Sweetwater County, Blair calls this community home, without a doubt.
Blair, how did you get into coaching Green River High School’s first softball team?
Well I have always had a love and passion for softball since I was 5 years old. When we moved to Wyoming it saddened me that Wyoming didn’t have high school softball. I often told people that the only bad thing about Wyoming was no high school softball and if I ever had a little girl I would be sad for her. Well we ended up having a little girl, so when Wyoming finally sanctioned high school softball, I knew I wanted to be apart of it in some way.
When Green River High School posted the job for head softball coach, it took me almost 6 months to apply. I work full time and also found out we were expecting our second kid, but after coaching our 14U team I knew that I wanted to coach these girls in high school. I wanted to bring the competitive nature and the love of softball I had to Wyoming. These young athletes deserve it.
I also wanted to teach these ladies the fundamentals of the game and give these young women the same opportunities that softball has given me, and I wanted to give back to this amazing community that has been so wonderful to my family. So I applied and was fortunate enough to get an interview. Then I got the call from Mr. Beardsley that they wanted me to be the first head coach in GRHS history. I was very humbled and excited by this amazing opportunity.
What is your own history with the sport?
I started playing softball when I was 5 years old and then started playing competitively when I was 12. I was a catcher throughout my career. It’s the best position on the field. I absolutely loved it. I played softball for the Colorado Classics, Sterling Tigers, Western Nebraska Community College Cougars and the Chadron State Eagles. I have traveled all over the country to play softball from Florida to Vegas to Hawaii. I was a was a 4-year letter winner, 1st Team All-Conference Selection, Team Captain, Defensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player from 2002-2004 for Sterling High School.
I was fortunate enough to continue my softball career on a softball scholarship in college at Western Nebraska Community College where I was the Region 9 Freshman of the Year, 1st Team All-Conference, Academic All- Region & voted Who’s Who Among American Junior College Students. After a year at WNCC, I earned a softball scholarship to Chadron State College where I was Team Captain from 2007 to 2010, Nebraska NCAA Division II All- Star Team Honorable Mention, Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year, RMAC Honorable Mention All-Conference, RMAC Second Team All- Academic Selection, RMAC Softball Honor Roll & All-Nebraska Division II Honorable Mention. I have continued playing softball for fun on a slow pitch team out of Green River.
What are you most excited for this season?
I am most excited to see these young student athletes on the field. These girls have waited a long time to showcase their skills and represent their school and they finally get a chance this season. I can’t wait to see Wolves worn proudly on their jerseys.
When you’re not coaching, what do you do for a living?
I am the Vice President and Senior Lender for State Bank in Green River and Rock Springs.
What do you enjoy most about your jobs?
For banking, it’s interacting with our community and our customers. We have the best customers around and I love being able to help with their financial needs. For coaching, it’s being able to impact and spending time with my players. I love watching them grow and turn into not just successful athletes but successful students. This program not only teaches fundamentals but also lifelong skills these girls will take with them far beyond the softball diamond.
How did you end up in Green River?
My husband took a PE teaching and coaching job here back in 2014. After we moved, I was fortunate enough to get hired on as a Loan Officer with State Bank.
What do you appreciate most about our community?
I appreciate the small town atmosphere and the people. We have some amazing people in this community. I am from a small town in Colorado and I can’t tell you how amazing it is to have that same small town community feel that we do here. The Green River community has been so good to my family and we are so blessed to call Green River home.
What are some of your hobbies?
My hobbies include playing softball, going to Disneyland or World with my friends and family, spending time with my friends and family, golfing, floating the river, going to Colorado Rockies games, going to my families Feedyard, branding, and going to the lake.
If you could give one brief piece of advice, what would it be?
Live above your circumstances. Don’t let your circumstances get you down. Learn to live graciously within them, realizing the Lord Himself is with you. Learn the secret of prayer. Prayer is communicating. Every prayer that you pray will be answered. Sometimes that answer may be “Yes” and sometimes “No,” and sometimes it is “Wait,” but nevertheless it will be answered.
Where is your favorite place to hang out in Sweetwater County?
The Ball Fields. It’s a place where the stress of the day just goes away and for an hour I get to play softball!!!
Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?
Gina Carano.
What would you sing at karaoke?
The first song that comes to mind is ‘Friends in Low Places’ by Garth Brooks.
How would your friends describe you?
So glad one of my best friends is here with me now to help me answer this. She said loyal, determined, dedicated, kind, joyful, funny, athletic, hard worker, passionate, loving, motivated, leader, confident, bold, brave, big-hearted, generous, and a little crazy.
What is one of your proudest accomplishments?
Becoming a mom to Kasey June and Joseph Michael.
What is something unique about you?
I am an identical twin.
Why do you choose to live in Wyoming?
My husband is from Wyoming. And I love everything about this state. I chose to live in Wyoming because my husband and our kids are here and our careers are here.
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Do you have someone you think would be great for our WHYoming interviews? Let us know!
