Rick Nordyke has served as Edmond North’s softball coach for 30 years. Nordyke also teaches sports lab. In total, his coaching career has spanned 35 years. He was inspired to become a coach, he said, by his high school baseball coach.

“My high school baseball coach made such an impact on me that I decided I wanted to do the same thing, and that’s when I started focusing on a coaching career,” Nordyke said, “after high school, I went on to play college baseball. I knew the love I had for the game wasn’t going to stop after college. I wanted to coach and help kids develop the same kind of love I had for the game!”

Nordyke led the Huskies to fast pitch state titles in 2004 and 2012. In three decades of coaching, his players have taught him as much as he has taught them.

“I have learned so many things over the years, but most importantly, the kids have taught me to have fun and enjoy the game,” Nordyke said.

He’s also learned how to get the most from his players. Leadership, Nordyke said, is important “in every aspect of life, not just ball.” “[Leadership] helps make great employees and just good, upstanding citizens,” Nordyke said.

This fall, Nordyke wants to see his 2023 team come together.

“I want my girls to learn to respect each other and grow as a family,” Nordyke said. “I hope we improve with each game, and, in the end, find a deeper love of the softball.”

For the team to reach its goals, the team will “need to believe in the process and trust each other.”

Personally, Nordyke has a certain milestone in his eye:

“I would love to reach 700 wins and to continue coaching until the good Lord tells me I’m done,” Nordyke said.

VYPE: What’s one piece of advice you would give to a young coach entering the profession?
Rick Nordyke: Take coaching serious, but you can always learn something new, and at the end of the day it’s “just a game.”