Terrence Davis Sr. is always willing to help someone in need — regardless of the circumstance.
From assisting adults with disabilities to coachingbaseball from LittleLeagueto
high school, Davis’ drive to assist and teach is a trait he’s known for.
Born in East Chicago, Davis was a three-sport athlete excelling in football, track and basketball while also a member of the marching band. Davis attended Central State University and was a member of the marching band there as well.
Davis didn’t set out to become a baseball coach. However, when his oldest son, Terrance, started playing the sport, Davis immersed himself into learning all he could about the game. Davis read books, watched videos, and learned from high-level coaches.
“I started off coaching to help out and also make sure my kids were getting proper instruction,” Davis said.
Much like he excelled in high school sports, Davis mastered coaching baseball and led his youngest son, Isaiah, and his team to a Little League district championship.
He later established the Indy Predators Baseball Club.
“My dad’s reasoning for starting the Predators was to give kids the opportunity to play high-level travel baseball at an affordable price,” Isaiah says. “He also wanted to keep kids from the traditional politics and favoritism that he had seen in travel baseball.”
Over the years Davis has coached many players, who credit his training to helping them play at the collegiate level. Currently five former team members play college baseball, from junior college to Division 1.
Although Elijah Lewis didn’t play baseball in college, he says he still values the lessons he learned on the baseball diamond.
“The Predators organization played a big role on my childhood and my current life,” Lewis said. “Coach T. always pushed us hard but still made sure at the end of the day we had fun and learned the game of baseball the proper way. I’ve made life long friendships from him and I still look at him as a coach and a friend I can talk to when I need to.”
In addition to coaching his own team, Davis is assistant varsity coach at Ben Davis. He was formerly an assistant varsity coach at Cardinal Ritter High School.
Davis’ helpful heart isn’t just on the field but it’s evident in his career path. He previously worked at the local juvenile detention center where he mentored kids heading down the wrong path and gave them hope.
Davis passed on a spirit of caring to his sons, the younger Terrance said. Currently Terrence works at Sycamore Services, a facility that assists mentally disabled adult. He attributes his big heart to his father who taught him how to be helpful growing up.
“My dad is the one that really instilled my helping spirit because I didn’t naturally have it in me, but he made it important,” Davis said.
Isaiah, who just completed his freshman year at Vincennes University, where he plays baseball, credits his father for all of his success up to this point.
“My dad’s impact on my baseball career is tremendous,” Isaiah said. “If he didn’t know something he set out to find the answer. He was constantly going to coaching clinics and talking to ball players of all level. He was constantly expanding his knowledge of the game then passed it to me. He always pushed me and never expected me to be average. He also reminded me what we are working for. He never showed me any favoritism. But he always made sure I had fun and was still my dad at the end of the day.”
When he’s not parenting his sons, Terrence Davis Sr. is teaching the game of baseball — and life skills — to local youth.
