Taking Over a New Program: A New State of Mind - Shawn Rychcik

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Shawn Rychcik, Head Coach, North Carolina State University.

In his initial season with the NC State Wolfpack softball team, head coach Shawn Rychcik led the squad to the 2013 ACC Championship title - becoming the first head coach in the history of the conference to do so in his/her first season.

The Wolfpack offense flourished in its first season under Rychcik, breaking multiple program records, individual records and setting multiple ACC marks.

Throughout his playing and coaching career, Rychcik has produced champions and championships.

In a 23-year hall-of-fame playing career, Rychcik won three International Softball Congress world championships and two American Softball Association national championships and twice was recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee as the men's fast-pitch player of the year.

In his 10 years as a collegiate coach - two as an assistant and eight as a head coach - Rychcik helped Boston University win four America East Tournament championships and four regular-season championships and led the Terriers to four NCAA Regionals, including three in the last four seasons.

He's never had a losing season, overall or in conference play, in his nine seasons as a head coach.

Rychcik's success at Boston University paved the way for his selection as one of 14 members of the U.S. national team coaching pool. From 2009-12, he worked with the national team, including many players who helped the United States win a silver medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

As a player, Rychcik was a power-hitting outfielder and first baseman. He was named to the ISC All-World Team 10 times and was the Most Valuable Player of the 1999 ASA championships, after driving in a record 15 RBIs in five games.

Rychcik graduated from Gannon University in 1991 with a degree in physical education/sports management.