Longtime coach, administrator and friend honored
During the spring softball season, the playing field at Saint Joseph’s College was officially named for longtime St. Joe’s softball coach, friend and administrator, Dick Bailey. More than 200 alumni, family and friends were there to help dedicate the field and honor a man who gave them so much.
A volunteer committee led by Dick’s son, Tim Bailey ’84, included eight former softball players who came together to raise $15,000 from supporters. The day’s ceremonies included a welcome by President Joe Lee, a family tribute, remarks by Dick’s longtime friend and head softball coach Jamie Smyth ’92, alumni accolades from Danielle Waterman Klein ’94, the raising of a Marine Corps flag, and remarks by Coach Bailey.
During the ceremony, the 2011 Lady Monks softball team unveiled the “Richard W. Bailey” scoreboard. Following the dedication, the Lady Monks racked up two wins in a doubleheader vs. Rivier College to christen the new board. A fun alumni game followed, before guests headed to The Chalet to cap off the day’s festivities with the Bailey family.
Dick Bailey coached the Lady Monks softball team for 11 seasons from 1985 to 1995, and amassed 244 wins, six conference championships, four NAIA New England Championships, and one NAIA Northeast Championship (which resulted in the first appearance in the NAIA National Tournament in 1994). Coach Bailey also served as the Dean of Students for 16 years, following his 20-year career in the United States Marine Corps. He was inducted into the Saint Joseph’s College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.
His influence and legacy at Saint Joseph’s continued when he came back to join Coach Smyth and the Lady Monks softball team as the pitching coach in 2011. With his help, the team won its first GNAC championship and enjoyed its first-ever NCAA tournament appearance.
