Some things are worth the wait.
 

Finding the right fit for the Rogers State softball post certainly proved to be.

The Hillcats' summer-long search for their second head softball coach finally ended Tuesday when the athletic department announced Mark Dicus as its new leader.

Dicus spent the past decade building a championship program at Seminole State College. He now inherits a talented RSU squad that rapidly ascended to the top of the NAIA ranks in three seasons under Dawn Reed-Schultz.

"We are very pleased to have the opportunity to add Coach Dicus to our athletics staff," said Wren Baker, RSU athletic director. "The Hillcat softball program has achieved great success in a short period of time and we are confident the addition of Coach Dicus will ensure the program continues to develop and flourish for years to come."
  

In his 10 seasons at Seminole, Dicus led the Lady Trojans to a 550-196 overall record, claimed seven conference championships and made four national tournament appearances. He carved his niche as a softball guru during a 13-year run at Dewey High School. Dicus led the Bulldoggers to 13 straight state tournament appearances, reaching the championship game nine times while earning four state titles. He leaped to the college ranks in 1999 when he became the first head softball coach at Seminole State.

"My family and I are very excited to be joining the Hillcat family," Dicus said. "After talking to the people at RSU it's clear that they are approaching things the right way when it comes to building an athletic program. Coach Reed definitely left the cupboard full. The pieces are in place and I truly believe we'll have an opportunity to win a national championship here."

A lifelong Oklahoman, Dicus began his coaching career on the gridiron and baseball diamond during stints at Tuttle and Mangum from 1981-1987. It wasn't until he was "forced" to take the softball gig in order to obtain a baseball job at Dewey that he found his true calling.

"That turned out to be a huge blessing for me," Dicus said. "I just enjoy coaching girls more. They seem to have such a passion for the game and typically they're a lot more coachable."

Dicus won 79-percent (448-118) of his games as the softball coach at DHS and was named the Oklahoma State Coach of the Year four times for his efforts. He was honored as the National Federation Coach of the Year in 1994 and was elected to the Oklahoma High School Fastpitch Coaches Hall of Fame in 2002.

Dicus will be charged with guiding a Hillcat softball team that delivered a program-best 42 victories in 2008. RSU achieved a Top 10 national ranking and defeated the eventual national champion, Lubbock Christian, during the regular season despite boasting only one senior on the roster. Notable returners include first team all-conference pitcher/hitter Kelli Dunagan and second team selection Jenny Johnson. 

"Our team will have one specific goal and that's to be a national champion," Dicus said. "I'm very aware of the conference we play in and the level of competition it produces. I'm excited about the challenge and eager to get started."

For more information on RSU softball visit www.rsuhillcats.com.