News Summary

Former South High School girls softball coach Greg Newland will be inducted into the Ohio High School Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Friday, Jan. 16.

Below are some comments from Newland and others about his 21-year career, which saw him win 400 games — the most in the history of Springfield City Schools by any coach in any sport:

• "He's got a competitive fire on the field that is unmatched, probably. I really feel like he helped bring a style of play to our league that helped bring softball around in this area. That, and his teaching ability stood out." — Paul Martin, veteran Centerville softball coach.

• "He did a tremendous job with their softball program out there. He just got so much out of his kids. His kids really, really worked for him. And he did a great job with his pitchers." — Ed Zink, veteran Beavercreek softball coach.

• "He's the most organized person I know of. He taught me a lot about how to practice, and how to motivate athletes. I couldn't be happier for the man. We were together for 14-15 years, and we learned from each other. The best thing that came from him is he allowed me to be a good assistant coach, turning over the pitching and a couple of other things to me." — Pete Cook, current Springfield softball coach and long-time assistant with Newland.

• "It's been a family affair, that's for sure. Jerrod (Newland) took the book since he was 4 years old. Sarah (Newland) went to open gym and hung out with All-Ohio athletes as an elementary school student. We figured if we wanted to see dad, we went to all the practices. Softball was never a minor sport at South High School. Softball will always be a part of our family." — Sue Newland, Greg's wife.

• "He got just about all he could get out of his players. He was very, very dedicated to the game of fastpitch softball. And he always surrounded himself with good people. That's what I've always done. It's a key. The one thing in fastpitch softball that you have to do is he developed good pitchers." — Ed Foulk, veteran Kenton Ridge softball coach.

• "He did it for 20 years, and did it the right way. I learned everything I know from him. The first five years of my coaching career (as Greg's assistant coach) will always be my most memorable. Softball was a good thing for the Newland family, and he was the ringleader. He made the most of it." — Jerrod Newland, Greenville softball coach and Greg's son.

• "When I got the job, I hadn't ever seen the fastpitch game. I was an old slowpitch coach. Pete Cook taught me the game of fastpitch softball. But I soon fell for it. Then I said, we're going to do this thing right. The girls of Springfield allowed me to test them and push them." — Greg Newland on his love for the sport of softball.

— Compiled by Kermit Rowe