Oregon community honors life, legacy of beloved coach with public memorial service

OREGON, Ohio — Hundreds of people filled the stands of Memorial Stadium at Clay High School in Oregon Monday night. However, it wasn’t for a game, but rather a gathering of love and remembrance.

The Clay community honored the life of Derek Besgrove, a beloved coach, father and first responder who died unexpectedly on April 5. He was only 43-years-old.

“He was such a good person taken way too soon,” said John Galyas, former Clay head football coach, who worked alongside Besgrove for several years.

Besgrove’s impact stretched far beyond the sidelines. Before coaching, he was a standout athlete, earning First Team All-Ohio honors as a running back and earning a place in the Clay High School Hall of Fame.

Off the field, he was a devoted husband and father of three. For 11 years, he also served on Cenovus Energy’s fire rescue team.

“He loved Clay High School. He loved our community. He was a great dad and he loved everybody’s kids,” Galyas said. “He just tried to make them better people.”

Monday night’s ceremony was filled with shared stories, laughter and tears, marking the reflection of a life that touched so many.

“He cared more about his athletes than himself,” said Hudson Byers, a senior at Clay High School. “He only wanted success for everyone.”

Byers and fellow senior Troy Hazuda said the days since Besgrove’s passing have been difficult, but the school has come together, especially around Besgrove’s son, Bryce.

“Everybody’s there for Bryce and letting him know that everyone’s here for him,” Byers said.

Inside the stadium and throughout the community, Besgrove’s message of consistency, effort and kindness lives on.

“Making yourself better at whatever you’re pushing to be good at and making yourself a better person every single day,” Hazuda said. “That’s something we’re all going to continue to pursue in our lives and honor Coach Besgrove.”