Bucknell University Athletics
Heather Rakosik Named Head Softball Coach at Bucknell
7/9/2004 8:00:00 AM | Softball
July 9, 2004
LEWISBURG, Pa. - In charting a course for the future of the Bucknell softball program, director of athletics and recreation John Hardt on Friday announced the selection of Heather Rakosik as head coach. Rakosik, most recently the head coach at Ohio Wesleyan University, becomes the fourth Bison softball head coach in the 26-year history of the program.
Rakosik just finished leading Ohio Wesleyan to a record-setting season. Led by three all-region performers and the first All-American in program history, the Battling Bishops won a school-record 28 games and captured the North Coast Athletic Conference regular season title for the first time. In three seasons as head coach at OWU, Rakosik's teams improved their record every year, and she compiled a 60-54-1 overall ledger.
A native of Toledo, Ohio, Rakosik takes over a Bucknell team that went 14-26 overall and 8-12 in the Patriot League in 2004. The Bison finished in fourth place in the league standings and qualified for the Patriot League Tournament. Bucknell has an all-time record of 391-452-5, including a Patriot League title in 1997 and a six-year stretch from 1988-93 when the team averaged nearly 23 wins per season.
"We are excited to welcome Heather to Bucknell," said Hardt. "We are confident that her successful track record in developing quality programs, and her commitment to the scholar-athlete model will lead to much success at Bucknell. Her experience as a student-athlete, coach and educator provides a strong foundation as she strives to lead the Bison softball program to a high echelon."
"I am honored to be joining such a prestigious academic institution," said Rakosik. "Bucknell clearly seems to have its priorities in line, in that it is first and foremost an institution of higher learning, yet it maintains a strong and proud tradition of athletics. I really believe we have all the tools we need in place to build a championship softball program."
In addition to her duties as head softball coach at Ohio Wesleyan, Rakosik also served as an instructor in the physical education department as well as assistant women's basketball coach. She helped guide the team to a winning record in each of her three seasons, highlighted by an NCAC championship and NCAA "Sweet Sixteen" appearance in 2002.
Prior to her tenure at Ohio Wesleyan, Rakosik served as head softball coach and assistant women's basketball coach at Hiram College. There she led the diamond squad to its best overall record in 11 years.
"Heather is a great fit for Bucknell," said Amanda Backus, associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator. "She has a passion for the sport of softball, and she has a knack for passing that enthusiasm on to her student-athletes. She is certainly well-versed in the fundamentals of the game and has tremendous experience in managing all aspects of a college program."
Rakosik is a 1998 graduate of Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio. She graduated cum laude with a degree in health and physical education, as well as a K-12 teaching certificate. She also gained valuable athletics experience working as an assistant in the sports information office as well as with the women's athletic director. As a student-athlete, Rakosik starred in both basketball and softball. On the hardwood she was a 1,000-point scorer (1378) who broke school records for points (37) and 3-pointers (8) made in a game. She was a first-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection in softball and the recipient of the OAC Clyde A. Lamb Scholar-Athlete Award.
Rakosik went on to earn a master's degree in education from Defiance (Ohio) College in 2000. While at Defiance, Rakosik also served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator with the women's basketball program, helping to guide the team to a 22-5 record and a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association title. As the head junior varsity coach, she led her team to a 14-3 record.
Bucknell sponsors 26 intercollegiate sports, including 14 women, at the Division I level (I-AA in football). It is a charter member of the Patriot League and has won the league's all-sports championship in 11 of the 14 years it has been contested, including the last seven in a row. Bucknell led the nation with a 100 percent graduation rate in the most recent survey and ranks third in Division I in producing Academic All-Americans.
