Saturday, June 28, 1997

Hawley coach resigns to spend time with family

By TED DUNNAM / Abilene Reporter-News

HAWLEY - Rita Jordan, who guided Hawley to state softball championships in 1995 and '97, resigned her head coaching and teaching positions at the school Friday to spend more time with her family.

Jordan compiled a sparkling 94-10-1 record in her four years, culminating an abbreviated but enormously successful career with a 32-1-1 record this past season.

"I just need to put the focus on my family right now," Jordan said. "I've got a daughter that's going to be a senior and a son that's going to be in the eighth grade. I've sacrificed time away from my family, and I just feel that I need to devote more time to them.

"It was a very tough decision. I've been at Hawley for 15 years. I taught from 1977-82 and from 1987 until this year. Hawley is home, and my family is very important to me. I'm not sure when or if I'll come back. I need a short break and we'll see what happens."

In 1994, Hawley was 14-3 and a regional finalist. In 1995, the Lady Bearcats fashioned a 23-2 record and claimed their first state championship. The following year, Hawley was 25-4 and reached the area finals before winning its second state title this spring.

In 1996, Jordan was nominated for the Texas Girls Association coach of the year and has had several players earn all-state selection. Among those were pitcher Amanda Cobb, who recently signed with Abilene Christian University, and second baseman Jennie Enfield, who has signed with Tarleton State.

"She did just a tremendous job for us," Hawley athletic director Dwain York said. "She is very well liked in the community. I think she just wanted to spend this next year as a spectator and be with her family more."

The Lady Bearcats defeated Blooming Grove, 5-0, in this year's Class 2A state championship game. Cobb, who pitched a no-hitter in the Lady Bearcats' 2-1 semifinal win over Shiner, pitch a three-hitter in the title game.

Hawley also beat Blooming Grove in the semifinals of the 1995 state tournament before winning what was then the Class 3A state title that included Class 2A and A teams.

"I've had some of the most talented athletes in the state of Texas," Jordan said. "The one thing that made it really special for me was watching those girls become young women and maturing.

"Most of the kids I've taught and worked with I've known since they were five and six years old. To watch them learn to do things on their own and to stand up to the pressures it took to achieve those things was very special."

Jordan said she couldn't single out any accomplishment that ranked as her most special moment while the head softball coach.'

"I really can't narrow it down to one specific thing that's my fondest memory," she said. "Winning the state championship the first time was very special, but going back and doing it again with many of those same girls was just as exciting.

"I'm just looking forward to some rest, but I'll still be doing some volunteer work in the community."

Jordan taught English and health this past year at Hawley and has also taught in the school's special education program.

York said the school is currently taking applications for the vacant head softball coaching job. Interested coaches can call York at (915) 537-2722 or 695-0563, or superintendent John Ray Godfrey at 537-2214.