On a warm and sunny, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, at 10 a.m., the baseball field at Shelby's Holly Oak Park was dedicated and renamed Mitchell Terrill, Sr. Field, in honor and memory of Mr. Terrill.
Mr. Terrill was a long-time community leader, multi-sport coach, and mentor, icon, and idol of and to, many who remember him fondly. He passed in 2006, according to family members.
In addition to many of the late Mr. Terrill's family members and friends, Shelby Mayor Stan Anthony and many of the City of Shelby's staff members, as well as Shelby City Council members, Parks & Recreation Advisory Board members, and others in the community who knew, loved, and worked with him, were on hand at the dedication ceremony to honor him.
Those who spoke at the event remembered Mr. Terrill as one who had an amazing impact on the youth of Shelby as he coached them in various baseball, football, and basketball programs at Shelby City Park.
Wayne Merritt was one of those who spoke about Mr. Terrill and his impact not only on his own life but on the lives of many in the community.
Shelby Mayor Stan Anthony presented the Terrill family with a framed resolution honoring Mr. Terrill's many accomplishments.
"I am honored to be a part of this. We want to recognize this great field and we want to recognize this great individual," said Mayor Anthony, adding, "This is a proud day, and a day long in coming. Mr. Mitchell Terrill was a great man!" Mayor Anthony then presented the family with a large, framed proclamation marking the day for them and their loved one.
Terrill was noted by one of the speakers as being a "...hard-working volunteer, and the first African-American Little League baseball coach" the city had in the '70s.
Mr. Terrill's daughter, Hazelene Terrill Smith, said, "He'd be so proud (of all this recognition), and would be so amazed!" She was especially pleased the City chose to honor her late father in this fashion, adding, "This (act) makes us feel so good!"
Mrs. Modestenia Bush, Mr. Terrill's niece, noted she and others sincerely hope "...our children carry on his (Mr. Terrill's) legacy in serving others." She noted he was "like a father" to so many people, and was lovingly known to many as "Mr. Mitch."
"I truly believe he touched many hundreds, maybe even thousands, of lives," she added. She also noted that Mr. Terrill instilled in the hearts and minds of the kids he coached and mentored not just a love of sports, but a love and desire to be the very best you can be at all you do.
After all was said and done by the gathered officials, family members of the late Mr. Terrill faced the sign on the field and pulled a cord, revealing the top of the sign which now proudly proclaims the field to be the "Mitchell Terrill Sr. Field."