Softball Field Dedicated In Honor Of Marita Hynes

NORMAN, Okla. - “Nothing is more appropriate that this field being named in Marita's honor,” said University of Oklahoma President David Boren on Saturday afternoon when OU's softball field was officially dedicated as Marita Hynes Field.

Boren added, “There is no way to quantify or measure the major impact Marita has had on so many students' lives.” The impact Saturday was the OU softball team playing one of its best games of the season on an afternoon when the University honored an OU legend. The Sooners defeated Kansas, 10-1, in a run-rule game that was over after five innings.

Photo Gallery | Softball Game Recap

Hynes, who threw out the first pitch, was honored at a pre-game banquet that was emceed by OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione. The ceremony was attended by OU coaches, dignitaries and members of the Board of Regents. Castilgione also unveiled the plaque that will forever christen the playing surface in Hynes honor.

“Marita took a chance on me and brought me in as young junior-college coach,” said OU head coach Patty Gasso. “So much of our success is due to her. Look at this stadium and so many of the things around this program. None of them would have been possible without her tremendous efforts.”

Robert and Linda Young topped off the ceremony by donating a major gift to the softball program.

“I am honored to be in front of you on such a special day,” said Robert Young. “My wife and I have been talking for two or three months about what we could do for the softball program. We greatly appreciate being a part of the OU athletics family and I couldn't have picked a better day to donate this gift.”

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.

“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.”

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Softball Field Dedicated In Honor Of Marita Hynes

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