Oklahoma softball: Who is Marita Hynes?
By Chip Rouse
A little over a week ago, we wrote about the approval by the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents of revised plans for a new $22 million Oklahoma softball stadium.
Related Story: Revised plans approved for new $22 million softball stadium
The current softball stadium just completed its 20th year of operation. The Stadium was first opened in 1998, but was dedicated and officially named in honor of former Oklahoma softball coach and longtime OU athletic administrator Marita Hynes in the spring of 2004.
As fate would have it, on the day the field was officially dedicated in Marita Hynes’ honor (April 24, 2004), the Sooners reportedly played one of their best games of that season, defeating the Kansas Jayhawks 10-1 in a game that was shortened to five innings by run rule.
For those Sooner fans who may not know Marita Hynes’ story, she was the second of the five Oklahoma softball coaches. Hynes coached the Sooners for eight years, from 1977-1984, compiling an overall record of 257-188. The 257 wins is second most in program history behind the 1,142 produced by current head coach Patty Gasso (in 24 seasons).
When she stepped down as softball coach, Hynes took the position of coordinator of promotions within the OU athletic department and was promoted to associate athletic director in 1995.
While serving as associate athletic director, Hynes spearheaded the fundraising effort and oversaw the construction of the OU Softball Complex, a facility that is recognized as one of the finest in college softball. She also coordinated the development of the Headington Family Tennis Center and was actively involved in the construction of the OU Soccer Complex.
Hynes retired in 2003 after serving 28 years in a variety of roles in the OU athletic department. Even after her retirement, she remained involved with the athletic department in a limited capacity.
Her love for softball was a big factor in her helping bring the Women’s College World Series to Oklahoma City, and she served as tournament director of the WCWS for over a decade.
As a lasting tribute to what Marita Hynes has meant to the sport of softball in the state of Oklahoma, she is enshrined in the Oklahoma Softball Hall of Fame.