Monica Vidoni (red uniform) stands next to former South Whidbey High School softball coach Tim Collins. (Photo courtesy Vidoni)
Falcon. Wolf. Doesn’t matter in the end, as it’s one Whidbey.
News that South Whidbey High School softball coach Tim Collins had passed away suddenly at 66 reverberated across the Island.
The news hit home especially hard for former CHS player Monica Vidoni, who had left for college in Minnesota earlier in the week.
Vidoni played summer ball for Collins and had the following to say about her coach:
I knew Tim really well. He was very, very kind.
He was my coach last summer and he helped me become a better hitter in softball.
He used to pick me up for softball every week with his daughter.
If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t of hit that inside of the park grand slam. He adjusted my hitting and now I can hit better then ever.
He let me play first base every game.
He would take us to Jack in the Box after every game.
He invited me to open gyms for softball in South Whidbey.
Even though I was on the rival team, Tim still wanted to make me a better softball player, and that’s what he did.
Tim was and always will be one of my favorite coaches in my life time.
Tim has been such an inspiration to me. Tim always said the most positive things to me.
He wasn’t one of those coaches who got mad at you when you screwed up. He would always say “that’s okay, you’ll get it again next time.”
I first met him the summer of 2014. He needed people for his softball team and he asked if I wanted to play.
We were the combination of Burlington, South Whidbey, and me, the only Coupeville person.
We went 8-1 and we were the number one team.
While we were playing in the summer he adjusted my batting and I was hitting about .400. Then he invited me to come to open gyms for softball practice hitting.
He would always joke with me, telling me that I should bat with a broom because I used to sweep with my bat, he would say.
He was joking with me before a game one day that Mackenzee, his daughter, was gonna strike me out.
And I just laughed and said ” in her dreams” and she ended up striking me out in five pitches.
The smile on Tim’s face was huge and he was so happy.
He always took the time to help everyone out. Tim was a special coach. He wanted to make everyone succeed.
When softball season comes around this year I’ll always think of Tim.
My condolences go out to his family. I will miss you Tim.
You were such a goofball and you always made me laugh. I can’t wait till I get to see you again in heaven.
I will never, ever forget you.
