Aces of Trades: Hartley continues Heath Sertoma's youth sports mission
HEATH — Chad Hartley is doing what he loves — helping kids.
“As a child I was outside all day, every day,” Hartley said. “Whether it was solo or neighborhood sports, fishing, or biking, I was outside until it was dark. I was always the one to get neighborhood games together. I was friendly to everyone and for the most part outgoing. With my love for sports and outdoors, my career choices led me to wanting to coach or being a Park Ranger. This area has little demand for Rangers so coaching seemed more fitting.”
Hartley has been the Hoback Park chairman for the Heath Sertoma Youth Athletic Association since 2019.
“I got into coaching T-ball in 2012 at Hoback Park,” he said. "I quickly found out that I loved it."
Hartley started on the board as Pups chairman, and he was voted to succeed long-time chairman Mike Link four years ago. HSYAA will be the Heath Sports Youth Athletic Association beginning this year.
“I’m responsible for the daily operations of the whole ballpark,” he said. “There are 20-plus umpires and 20-plus concession workers who help us in those departments. We have roughly 60 teams with around 200 coaches. Our current board has around 15 members. The ballpark is volunteer based for coaching and board members.”
Hartley, 45, grew up in Newark and graduated from Newark High School with honors in 1996. He went to Ohio State-Newark to earn a degree in elementary education.
“I decided to go to college for elementary education since at the time there was a high demand for male teachers. This would give me the opportunity to teach and coach," Hartley said.
“Although teaching didn’t work out, I was able to get back into sports as a young adult," he added. "I started helping with youth basketball leagues. I also played several sports in adult leagues. Eventually I started organizing and running adult sports leagues and tournaments of my own. That went on for 15-plus years.”
Hartley also has been a manager at Tumbleweed Tex Mex Grill in Heath for more than two decades.
“They’ve been great working with me for scheduling during the season,” he said.
Tim O'Reilly is a friend, coach and HSYAA board member.
“Chad is the perfect person to be in charge of the baseball/softball leagues for HSYAA,” O'Reilly said. “He’s extremely organized and dedicated to make sure our league is the best around. Chad always has the best interest of the players and their families. He’s always making sure everyone has a great experience.”
Hartley said the name change is for the most part procedural. The league still is working closely with the Heath Sertoma, which is becoming the Heath Service Club, and he expects it to continue to thrive as fall ball is being played this month.
“We have so many great people involved in helping the 650-plus kids become better athletes and people," Hartley said. "We all do it because we love it.”
Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs — whether they’re unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at advocate@newarkadvocate.com.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Aces: Chad Hartley continues Heath Sertoma's youth sports mission
