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OGDEN -- An Ogden man was honored Thursday night for 17 years of work at a job he's done the entire time for free.
As cliché as it may sound, it's true: Ken Kopinski works rain or shine. He got his job as grounds keeper for the Ogden Raptor's in the simplest way. He just showed up.
"He didn't ask if he could be our groundskeeper. He said, ‘I'm going to be your groundskeeper, and I'm a volunteer so you don't have to pay me," says Dave Baggott, president of the Ogden Raptors.
Kopinski's been there to watch the Raptors grow, move into the brand new Lindquist Field and gain a steady legion of fans.
Along the way Kopinski, a former Weber State pitcher, has attracted fans as well.
"He's adored," Baggott says. "I don't think he volunteers so much for the Ogden Raptors as he volunteers for his community that he loves so very much."
Thursday night, that community honored Kopinski for all he's given. The Ogden City Council formally recognized him for his efforts to maintain Lindquist Field.
It came as surprise to Kopinski, who stood alongside his wife -- also a longtime volunteer -- and the assistant grounds keeper.
"You'll be home, and your back's sore. [You think, ‘I don't know if I want to go.' But something just drives you to do it," Kopinski says.
As friends predicted, Kopinski passed the praise onto his fellow volunteers -- uncomfortable being the center of attention.
"I'd sooner be out in sun raking the field than taking that kind of stuff," Kopinski says.
Forget the fame, forget the money; just play ball. That's all Ken Kopinski really wants.
E-mail: sdallof@ksl.com
