Clint Sargent
The Clint Sargent scholarship has been established by Luke & Amy Norden to honor Clint Sargent and the contributions and impact he’s made on people of South Dakota and the sport of baseball.
As a former Post 22 player (#27) from 1987–90, Clint was an All-State catcher highlighted by a state championship in 1990. Coach Dave Ploof recognized Clint as one of the best defensive catchers in Post 22 history.
Clint went on to play college baseball at Cameron University and Iowa Western Community College. Clint’s playing career ended after his sophomore year of college, but he continued to participate on the diamond as an umpire throughout his college and law school years, umpiring each year during Post 22’s Firecracker Tournament and serving on the umpiring crew for the 1994 American Legion Central Plains Regional Tournament and the 1995 and 1996 South Dakota State Tournaments.
Clint graduated from the University of South Dakota with a B.S.B.A in Accounting with Honors in 1994 and his Juris Doctor in 1998. He has served as a trial lawyer with Meierhenry Sargent LLP in Sioux Falls since his graduation from law school.
Clint’s journey from the Post 22 to a career as one of South Dakota’s finest attorneys is a testament to the profound impact baseball had on the type of person he would become. He embraced discipline, a relentless work ethic on the field and in the classroom and into his professional career. These qualities are the cornerstones to how Clint approaches life and his legal career. His legal practice can be characterized by a deep sense of justice, fairness, and commitment to giving back. Clint understands success is not solely measured by personal achievements but also by the impact one has on others.
Luke & Amy Norden Family
Luke and Amy Norden met Clint during one of their most challenging times with the unfortunate events that surrounded the Mitchell Baseball Program. Within minutes of meeting Luke, Clint recognized the kind of person and coach Luke is – a teacher of life lessons, who believes that baseball is bigger than wins or losses. Clint immediately told Luke he would be honored to be Luke’s lawyer.
Post 22 Baseball Organization: Connections, Relationships, More Than a Game
The phrase “it’s a small world” has never been so true. Sometimes connections make themselves apparent at the most unexpected, but most important times in one’s life.
Luke’s wife, Amy, grew up in Rapid City watching Post 22, where her immediate family still lives and frequents ‘The Fitz’. One of her best friends growing up was the late Kevin Morsching (a former Post 22 Player who tragically lost his life in a skateboarding accident while attending SDSU for baseball in 2007). If Kevin knew Amy would go onto marry an opposing coach of Post 22 (who has been known for handing Post 22 a loss here and there) he probably would have some good words for her.
Qualities Kevin taught Amy through high school were essential for her to have a positive outlook and be understanding in supporting her husband as a dedicated coach and in raising her family. Those qualities also helped her to navigate this situation while remaining a strong and supportive spouse and mother, to remain constant and keep a sense of normalcy for their children.
Luke Norden has coached baseball in Mitchell for 20 years and has always had a strong relationship with the coaches of Post 22 and respect for the organization. When Luke’s teams are “out” in key tournaments, it has always been easy for the Norden Family to cheer for the Hardhats from Rapid City without hesitation, while many might be rooting against them. Amy has always admired Patty Ploof as a supportive coach’s wife and appreciated their friendship and time at the ballpark together, supporting their husbands as highly respected coaches.
It was not known until after Clint was retained that he was a Post 22 baseball player in his younger years. There was a reason, and it had to be God’s plan to align the Norden family with Clint. Most people across the state or region attribute Post 22 baseball as the premier program in the state and region due to their consistent stellar play, records, and championships.
The life lessons and relationships that are instilled in their players, coaches, families, umpires, and the organization are far more rewarding than any win or championship itself. It is something mirrored by coach Norden in his approach to the game and the Mitchell Baseball Organization. The philosophy “bigger than baseball” is one that young adults take forward in their lives.
SARG27 Scholarship Foundation-A Scholarship with a Purpose: Clint Sargent Scholarship. A Legacy Beyond the Diamond
The SARG27 Scholarship Foundation and Scholarship was started with a generous donation by Luke and Amy Norden. The scholarship is a tribute to the power of baseball to shape a person’s character and drive success beyond the baseball diamond.
This scholarship aims to recognize and support baseball players from Rapid City Post 22 and Mitchell Baseball Association who embody the principles of discipline, hard work, selflessness, and integrity. It serves as a reminder that the lessons learned and relationships made on the baseball field during a few short years can be invaluable in navigating life’s successes and challenges in various endeavors, both personally and professionally.
It is the hope that this scholarship will inspire and support future generations – reminding them that true success is measured not just by accomplishments, but by the character and values that guide them, the selfless acts they perform for the betterment of others, and the lifelong relationships they build. To encourage all to leave a true legacy beyond the diamond.
Clint Sargent