Softball Names Rychcik New Assistant Coach
July 19, 2002 | Softball
Boston University and head softball coach Amy Hayes have announced the hiring of Shawn Rychcik as an assistant on the Terrier staff. Rychcik, a native of Salamanca, NY is an accomplished professional softball player and regarded among his peers as one of the top fastpitch players in the world. He served as an assistant coach with St. Bonaventure University last season.
"I am very excited to have Shawn on board," said Hayes. "He completes (along with assistant Bill McDonald) what I feel is a strong, and capable coaching staff."
Rychcik served as the hitting coach for St. Bonaventure in 2002, helping the team to the most Atlantic-10 Conference victories in school history. In addition to his duties on the field, he was also the Bonnies' recruiting coordinator. His primary function at B.U. will be working with the Terrier batters.
Prior to St. Bonaventure, Rychcik was an assistant with Division III Millikin University in Decatur, IL. He helped lead the team to a 26-21 record in 2001. In 1999, he was an assistant at his alma mater Salamanca High School, where the Warriors captured the Class C state championship.
Professionally, Rychcik has been a member of the U.S. Men's National Softball Team since 1994. He was named the men's softball Athlete of the Year in 1999 and 2000, by the U.S. Olympic Committee, the first player to win the award twice. He is the 2002 team captain, a title he also held from 1998-2000. Most recently, he was a member of the bronze medal-winning national team that competed at the International Softball Federation Championships in East London, South Africa in 2000. He has competed in national and international fastpitch competition for 17 years.
"Shawn will bring a ton of men's major experience to the program," said Hayes.
A 1991 graduate of Gannon University, in Erie, PA, Rychcik holds a B.S. in Physical Education and Sports Management.
