TupaTalk: Softball coach has dedicated years to Copan High. Now, field bears his name
A few weeks ago, Copan High School softball supporters presented longtime head coach Randy Davis with a well-deserved honor.
They presented a sign that renamed the Lady Hornets’ softball diamond as the Randy Davis Field.
I recently mentioned how much I respect the — as in am totally awed — by the devotion and dedication Davis has provided his players and assistant coaches during the years.
For Davis, it’s always been about the kids — even his own.
In 1999, which the Lady Hornets on the verge of winning a third-straight state title — he stepped away from softball in favor of becoming a football assistant to that he could share the grid experience with his son Kyle Davis.
Indeed, the Lady Hornets — thanks to the experienced, inspired and well-prepared leadership of Rick Martinez — did rule the state again in 1999.
But, for Davis, supporting and being with his child mean more than a dozen state titles. Sadly, his decision to spend more time with his son proved out to be a blessing he could not have foreseen.
Kyle Davis, a law enforcement officer in Washington Country, passed away in 2021, at age 38, in the line of duty.
Meanwhile, Davis has provided a father figure for scores, perhaps hundreds, of Copan and Sedan (Kan.) high schools student athletes.
From the first time I met him, I noticed Davis’ sprawling smile beneath his mustache and his throaty, happy voice.
I believe he has been one of the genuinely nice guys to have coached in this area in last 30 years.
Not that Randy lacks a deep intensity to win and to train his players to reach their potential as players and as people. He has driven his athletes to succeed at the height of their ability — not with a whip and anger, but with carting, attention, making them work hard to hone their skills and yet developing a trusted relationship.
He is on his third stint as the Lady Hornet softball coach. During his first one, he guided Copan softball to three state titles, I believe.
After having assisted with the football team, he returned as head softball coach and Martinez made his mark as a very successful track coach for Copan.
Davis stepped away again in the early 2010s. When offered the job again in the 2021, after he had retired, Davis could very well have turned it down and no one could have blamed him for not wanting to endure the grind.
But, he came back, motivated by the need of the school and also the challenge of helping Copan re-establish itself as one of the quality softball programs in the area and state.
The re-dedication of the field in his honor came as a complete surprise — a gesture of love and respect well-deserved.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: TupaTalk: Copan High's softball field renamed for dedicated coach
