The numbers speak for themselves as Trey Booth has coached his baseball teams to over 1700 victories but what’s behind the numbers is even more impressive. The 1987 Red Oak graduate got his coaching start at Buffalo Valley where in 12 years in the dugout his teams reached the state tournament 12 times including winning the spring and fall baseball titles in 2003-04. Booth then made the 35-minute drive back to his alma mater to start the 2004 school year where he has coached the Eagles baseball to the state tournament 32 times including 30 consecutive trips combining fall and spring seasons. The trophy case at Red Oak includes 11 championships plus 8 state runner-up awards. In fact, his Eagles have been ousted only one time in the first round. And, not to be overlooked are the three basketball state championships, two with the boys and once as girls coach
So what’s the Trey Booth recipe for winning? His response defines the Eagles motto, “Outwork Everyone.”
“We’d take a group with a little bit of talent and a lot of toughness and get after it,” said Booth. “My dad (William Booth) had a great work ethic that I learned growing up. He’d wake me up and say let’s go. I said do I have to go work today and he’d say you don’t have to go, you get to go, and you get to work hard. I’ve always tried to get that across to the kids.”
Booth also admits he’s learned everything about coaching from a fraternity of coaches across the state.
“I don’t know anything that I didn’t steal from somebody else that stopped to teach me after giving me a lesson on the field or court,” replied Booth. ”Everything in Oklahoma baseball starts with Murl Bowen of Asher. I’ve got a ton of losses that I’ve learned something from a lot of different coaches.”
Rounding third and heading for home, Trey Booth says it’s his on the field family of the players he’s coached that give him a bigger sense of accomplishment.
“I’ve been blessed to get to coach a group of tough country kids that understand what’s required to be successful,” said Booth recalling the lifelong player/coach relationships. “I got a lot more from my kids than what I might have given them. Dog piles and winning championships are special but when they come back and introduce me to their family that’s way better than any game we ever one.”
Now it’s on to another chapter of family time. Booth, who coached two of his five children (Jordan and Cheyenne) to state championships will now spend his time enjoying home life with his wife Brase and their two sons as well as their current day all-star.
“We’ve got a five year old girl, Chantrey and I’m going to be there everyday to do whatever she wants to do,” smiled the 51-year old father/coach.
And while he’s not on the baseball field or basketball court, there’s no doubt the recipe for success will continue at home orchestrated by Trey Booth.
