By Terra Avilla
We often take for granted or overlook the people in our community who call this place a home, even if it is just temporary.
As I was so quick to be reminded this weekend, they too, more often than not, grow to love this place immensely (Because why wouldn’t they.)
My feature this week is named Travis Krause. I am certain that the vast majority of the readers will have truly no idea who he is, however, I can tell you that Lassen (and Lassen College in particular) were of such a significant meaning to him, throughout his entire life.
Travis or (“T.K.”) played baseball for Lassen College for Coach Abney several decades ago. Anthony Ford (who I am sure many of you know) was his teammate. The lessons, memories, joys and heartaches he had while he lived here stayed with him his whole life.
Travis played baseball at many other places, states and cities after leaving Susanville, and none were as cherished by him as our little community.
Travis settled down with his beautiful family in Montana. But even from afar, he still held true to his Lassen roots, by consistently helping my husband recruit local talent from many of Travis’ teams. He also helped Frankie.
Early on in Frankie’s coaching career Travis and him would travel together and Travis readily shared his experience and tips and tricks of the game with Frankie. Travis loved our community so much, he sent his oldest son, Brooks, to come play for Frankie in 2018.
He wanted so badly for Brooks to have the same love for our college, town, etc. that he had, so many years prior.
Unfortunately, our wonderful Travis became very sick, and although he always kept his spirit up, and that smile on his face, Travis passed away from Cancer last year.
This last weekend his wife and three children all made the journey back to the town (our town) that Travis loved so much, to do what every true Lassen Baseball fan does – root on the Cougars as they play our conference rival, Feather River.
The boys pulled through with a win on Friday, putting them at very good odds to win the series. That night, Frankie told me, he wanted so badly to win for Travis. For Travis’s family that came to watch.
The next morning on our very own home field, Lassen Baseball honored the life and family of Travis with a very beautiful tribute. Jessica Scroggins sang the national anthem, and his family presented a #26 jersey to sit next to them as they watched the double header.
And I noticed something. There is a wonderful picture of Travis playing at our field. Olivia was looking at old pictures of Travis with me and indicated this one in particular as one of her all time favorites of her husband. In the photo, he’s dawning Lassen’s iconic white pin striped uniforms (which also happens to be my favorite).
I got goosebumps as I looked into the field and noticed that out of the 20+ uniform combinations the boys could have chosen to wear, they just so happened to also be wearing their white pinstripe uniform- the first time they’ve worn it all season.
And wouldn’t you know, Lassen – for the first time in over a decade – won the series against Feather River. I know Travis was going nuts as he looked down at our field.
See, the beauty of our community is- you don’t have to be from here, you have to live here forever or for what others might consider a “long time.” It’s a very special place, to so many people, in so many ways. I hope you all go out today and cherish this wonderful place that I love.
