Bemidji State University Director of Athletics Dr. Rick Goeb today announced the hiring of Rick Supinski (sah-PIN-skee) as the 18th head coach of the Beavers’ softball program.

“Rick Supinski certainly has a lot of experience as both as an amateur softball player and as a coach, most recently at Bates College,” said Goeb. “When he was here to visit he really impressed the search committee and current members of the team.  He has a tremendous amount of energy and enthusiasm and I think he will fit in very well with our coaching staff.”

“The University has made a renewed commitment to the softball program over the course of the last year and I think Rick will add some much-needed stability to the program.”

Supinski, a native of Little Canada, Minn., joins the Bemidji State staff after more than three years as the assistant softball coach at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.  

In two seasons he helped lead the NCAA Division III Bobcats to a 20-38 overall record, which included a six-win improvement from 2010 to 2011, a Colby-Bates-Bowdoin (CBC) Championship and the program’s first trip to the New England Small College Athletic Conference Tournament (NESCAC) since the inception of the league in 1999.

While at Bates, Supinski was responsible for recruiting, designing and implementing in season and off season conditioning and weight lifting programs, video coordination, travel planning, coordinating fund raising efforts and individual instruction.  In addition, he also served as the department’s fitness and weight room supervisor.

“I am appreciative to Athletic Director Goeb and everyone I interviewed with for the opportunity to be the next softball coach at Bemidji State University and bring my family back to the state I was born and raised in,” said Supinski.  “I am excited to be a part of BSU and I look forward to moving the program to the next level.”

Supinski will begin his duties at BSU the week of Dec. 12.

Prior to his time at Bates, Supinski served as the head coach at Cheverus High School from 2003-08.  While at the Portland, Maine school, he led the program to its first playoff appearance and victory.

Supinski’s coaching background also includes involvement with several youth and Amateur Softball Association (ASA) organizations, most notably, the Portland Hellcats U-23 team (2005-08), where he coached athletes from all levels of collegiate softball, and Frozen Ropes Junior Black Bears U-16 team, which was runner-up at the state tournament in 2007.  

In addition to Supinski’s coaching experience, he has an extensive fast pitch playing background.

Supinski earned his bachelor of science degree from St. John’s University (Minn.) in 1991.

He replaces Shane Gunderson who left BSU at the conclusion of the 2011 campaign after just one season.