Marita Hynes Field To Be Officially Dedicated Saturday

NORMAN, Okla. When the University of Oklahoma announced Marita Hynes' retirement last summer, OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione said, “We all have a chance to leave a legacy of some kind and in Marita's case, it's spectacular and historic.”

That legacy is now made, at least in part, of something more tangible. Saturday, the OU Athletics Department and softball program will officially dedicate the playing surface as Marita Hynes Field. Ceremonies honoring the former Senior Woman Administrator will precede the softball team's 2 p.m. game with Kansas. Fans are encourage to arrive early and take part in the festivities.

“Marita meant so much to all of Sooner Athletics, our softball program and the general growth of the sport,” Castiglione said. “Of all the tributes she could receive, this one seems particularly appropriate. We're honored to have Marita's name on one of our facilities, and one that means so much to her.”

Hynes was initially appointed to the university's athletic staff in 1976 as the head softball and field hockey coach. When the field hockey program was discontinued, Hynes accepted additional administrative duties while continuing to serve as softball coach.

In 1984, Hynes was named coordinator of promotions for the department. She was named associate athletic director in July 1995. Most recently, Hynes had directed administrative supervision of volleyball, women's basketball, softball, men's and women's cross country, track, tennis, gymnastics, and the university's newest sport, women's soccer.

She served as project manager over the OU Softball Complex, which has earned a reputation as one of the finest facilities in the country. Hynes coordinated the development of the Headington Family Tennis Center and was actively involved in the construction of the OU Soccer Complex/John Crain Field, which opened for play in the fall of 2000. Other projects in which Hynes was involved included an addition to the Mosier Indoor Facility and renovations to John Jacobs Track and the McCasland Field House.

In recent years, national and state organizations have taken note of Hynes' numerous contributions. She has served as tournament director for the NCAA Women's College World Series for 12 years. For her contribution to the sport, she was inducted into the Oklahoma Softball Hall of Fame.

After 28 years of service, Hynes retired on July 1, 2003. She remains active with the athletics department in a limited capacity as coordinator of several of the championships hosted by OU.

The No. 21 Sooners (33-16-1, 7-6) hope to improve on their fifth place Big 12 standing against the Jayhawks (27-23, 3-8), who are currently in eighth place. The first 250 fans in attendance for Saturday's game will receive free OU softball trading cards, which they can get signed during an autograph session following the game.

The Big 12 rivals will complete the two-game series on Sunday at 1 p.m.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Marita Hynes Field To Be Officially Dedicated Saturday

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