STANDISH, Maine – Longtime Saint Joseph's College softball coach Dick Bailey has decided to retire after coaching collegiately across five decades.

Bailey, who was serving his 35th year in the dugout when the 2020 season came to a close, steps away after registering a 619-411-3 (.601) career record during two stints (21 years total) at St. Joe's, 13 years at Colby College, and one season at Westbrook College. Upon his retirement, Coach Bailey ranks fifth in SJC Athletics history in victories (420) and winning percentage (.660).

In his first spell at SJC, Bailey - who began his college coaching career at age 50 - led the Monks for 11 years (1985-95) and posted a 244-101 (.707) record with six conference championships, four NAIA New England Championships, and one NAIA Northeast Championship, which resulted in the program's first appearance in the NAIA National Tournament in 1994. In 13 years at Colby, Bailey led the Mules to a 197-177-3 (.527) record.

Bailey, who also served as the Dean of Students at Saint Joseph's for 16 years after spending 20 years in the United States Marine Corps, was inducted into the SJC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Monks' softball field at Ward Park was dedicated as Richard W. Bailey Field during the 2011 campaign. He worked as a co-head coach of the SJC softball program, along with fellow co-head Jamie Smyth '92, for the last eight years after logging time as an assistant during the 2011 and 2012 campaigns. Upon returning to Standish, Coach Bailey was instrumental in helping the Monks claim four-consecutive GNAC Championships (2011-14).

"It will be a big adjustment not having Coach Bailey in the dugout this season," says Coach Smyth. "I will certainly miss his presence there just as much as the players will. For the better part of the last 25 years, we have been together on the softball field."

"Coach Bailey hired me back in 1994 as his assistant," Smyth continues. "At that time, I wasn't sure how long I would last coaching softball. He instilled in me a passion and love for the game to the point where now I can't envision not coaching softball."

Smyth adds that the most important thing he learned from Coach Bailey is that "coaching at the college level isn't as much about winning and losing as it is about developing young ladies to be successful in life once they leave the softball field." Smyth also says that "Coach Bailey always put a premium on being punctual, working hard, being loyal, and leading by example. These are all qualities that extend well beyond the softball diamond."

"Through my 35 years I had the great opportunity to coach many wonderful women," adds Bailey. "Helping along the way were many great assistant coaches and Jamie Smyth, who put up with me the longest, is like my third son. When I finished at Colby (in 2009), I thought my coaching days were in the past, but Coach Smyth had other plans," Bailey continues. "I decided at age 85 this was a good year to hang it up."

"I will miss coaching, miss the time I had with the players and other coaches - it was such a wonderful way to grow old!"

THANKS IN PART TO SPORTS INFORMATION INTERN BRANDON WHITLOCK '21