The Triad Softball team will be dedicating the home softball scoreboard to Coach Rick Wilkins before Tuesday’s game against Mechanicsburg. Preceding Wilkins’ passing in August of last year, the Cardinals unofficially dubbed their home turf “Rick Wilkins Field,” however, nothing has become permanent until Tuesday.
A lifelong resident of the community, Wilkins was born in Woodstock and graduated from Triad in 1966 before enlisting in the U.S. Army. Wilkins then came back to Triad and served as a Maintenance Advisor as well as an Assistant Softball Coach for 23 years, including being a part of Final Four teams in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2015.
When asked about Wilkins’ impact on the Triad community, Athletic Director Jason Malone said:
“He devoted his life to the betterment of Triad Athletics and the Triad community. Rick spent countless hours outside of the work day helping prepare and maintain the softball and baseball fields as well as the football and track facility. Rick was a positive presence around the Triad Local School District for several years and was a well-respected and vital member of the Triad staff. Anyone who knew Rick or worked with him knew he was a caring and selfless human being who would go out of his way to lend a helping hand. He took an immense amount of pride in supporting Triad athletics and taking care of our facilities. Dedicating the softball field in the name of Rick Wilkins is just a small token of appreciation the Triad Athletic Department, Triad Softball Program, and the Triad Local School District can offer to Rick and his family for all the years of love and support he gave to Triad.”
— Athletic Director Jason Malone
The scoreboard dedication will begin at 4:45 p.m. at Triad before their game against Mechanicsburg on Monday and will be open to the community.
