ARCATA — After guiding the Humboldt State softball program to the 1999 national championship, head coach Frank Cheek offered a rather ambiguous response to the inevitable question as to whether he would retire on top. "I'll retire when the time is right," said the former wrestling coach, who was already the winningest coach in Lumberjack history.
When the same question was posed in 2008 following the Jacks' second NCAA Division II title, Cheek admitted that he was uncertain as to what life would hold if he left the field. “I love what I'm doing,” Cheek said. “My daughter wants me to keep coaching, and my wife wants what's best for me. I feel like I'm still a vital part of this program.”
Five years later, Cheek ended all speculation by announcing his decision to step away from the game during Sunday's return charter flight from the Lumberjacks' appearance at the 2013 national championships in Salem, Virg. The time is finally right, he said.
"When we lost that first game Saturday (1-0 to Kutztown University), physically, I was hurting all over, and I didn't feel up to the task, mentally," Cheek said. "I realized I don't have the energy to bounce back for another game after 30 minutes. I said I'd know when it was time (to retire), and it is."
"Coach Cheek has been a icon for Humboldt State for decades," HSU Director of Athletics
Dan Collen said. "He's had an impact on hundreds of student-athletes' lives. I couldn't be happier for him and his family."
Having technically retired in 2003, Cheek continued in the head coach role for the last 10 years as a retired annuitant. Former HSU All-American
Shelli Sarchett, who has served as Cheek's assistant for the past eight years, will take over as interim head coach.
"It's sad to think that the man who mentored me as a player and coach is stepping aside," Sarchett said. "I'm not completely surprised, because Coach has talked about it from time to time, but we could never be certain. And while I'm sad, I'm also excited about what he has prepared me for – my own opportunity to direct the program."
Having garnered nearly as many accolades as achievements, Cheek ends his 25-year career as softball coach after compiling 1,148 wins. He received the sport's highest honor when he was inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's Hall of Fame in 2009, becoming only the 50th inductee.
Cheek's tenure at Humboldt State actually extends back to 1969, when he joined the staff as wrestling coach. During 20 seasons as head wrestling coach, Cheek saw his athletes win more than 250 matches, and 46 of them achieved NCAA All-American status. Five Lumberjacks claimed individual national championships, leading to Cheek's induction into the California Wrestling Hall of Fame.
In 1989, Humboldt State revived its softball program, naming Cheek head coach. Only a year later, with budget cuts looming, the Lumberjacks discontinued wrestling, leaving Cheek downhearted and discouraged. But instead of dwelling on the negative, he turned his focus to the softball field, and with a standout sophomore pitcher named Teresa Cheek in the circle, Cheek led the Lumberjacks to their first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament in 1990.
This year's success marked the 19th time in 25 seasons that Cheek has advanced a team to the NCAA postseason, and the sixth time his squad has won the West Region title. Selected 2013 California Collegiate Athletic Association Coach of the Year, Cheek guided the Jacks to the CCAA tournament and regular season titles, marking the 19th conference championship HSU has earned during Cheek's tenure.
The 2008 Lumberjacks proved to be one of Cheek's toughest groups, bouncing back from a first-game shellacking in the NCAA Division II West Region to win that tournament and advance to nationals in Houston. All-American pitcher Lizzy Prescott displayed that mettle in tossing a 17-inning, complete game, 1-hitter against Lock Haven University in the national semifinals. HSU finished the season with a 10-game winning streak, crowning it with a 1-0 win over Emporia State in the national championship game.
HSU returned to the regional tournament in 2009, but failed to advance to nationals. Following three tough seasons – including the 2012 campaign that produced the only losing record of any Cheek-coached team – the Jacks recaptured respect in 2013, ranking No. 1 in the west and among the nation's top 10 most of the year.
Still uncertain as to what will occupy his post-softball life, Cheek already knows what it won't entail.
"I'm happy that I won't be dealing with everything that is waiting to be done once the season ends," Cheek said. "Shelli will have to look at the scholarships for next year and prepare the budget."
For starters, Cheek is looking forward to spending more time with his wife of 54 years, Mary Lou.
"I can sleep in tomorrow morning, then get up and Mary Lou will fix me breakfast," Cheek said. "Or maybe she won't fix me breakfast. She might decide that she's retired, too."
