TACOMA, Wash. - This is the first of six installments profiling the five individuals and two varsity four boats that will be inducted into the Pacific Lutheran University's Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2020. The Class of 2020 will be inducted during Homecoming next fall on Friday, Oct. 1 in the Chris Knutzen Hall at 11:30 a.m. Today's installment features Head Softball Coach Rick Noren M '96 who during his time on campus from 1995 to 2008, was the winningest coach in program history.

To say PLU has been a big part of Rick Noren's life is a bit of an understatement. Noren's first stint on campus was as a student in 1983. He would return to campus prior to the 1995 season and went on to compile a 404-145-1 record as skipper for the Lutes, including a 240-69 mark in Northwest Conference action.

"I enrolled as a freshman at PLU in 1983 as the only institution I wanted to attend at that time. When the (softball) position opened up in 1994, I was an assistant coach with the University of Washington and the opportunity to work at PLU was the same feeling as a new student many years prior. Once meeting with Dave Olson and Paul Hoseth it was clearly a place that I wanted to work."

Noren hit the ground running, posting a 22-9 record in his first year at the helm, winning the first of three straight NWC titles. His second season in 1996 saw the Lutes post a perfect 17-0 record in league play before advancing to the NAIA Tournament. The Lutes would return to the NAIA Tournament the following season in 1997, finishing third in the nation.

Noren's Lutes would win five consecutive NWC titles from 1999 to 2003, punching a ticket to the NCAA Division III Tournament all five seasons. That included a 34-game win streak during the 2002 season that culminated in a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Division III College World Series.

"Although obviously proud of the success on the field that the numerous teams and individual players had, it is still more gratifying to see what players have become in their work and family lives. It's exceptionally gratifying to see players build successful businesses, medical practices, accounting firms, attorney partnerships, etc. and those that have chosen to be the noblest of professions, Wife and Mom."

Under Noren's watch there were 20 Lute no-hitters and eight perfect games while the squad finished second or higher in the NWC standings every season from 1995 to 2004. A four-time NWC Coach of the Year, Noren presided over three undefeated NWC seasons, hoisted eight NWC titles, and made seven national tournament appearances. Noren would go on to coach at Saint Martin's University in Lacey, Washington for several years, turning an also-ran into a nationally competitive program. In 21 years as a collegiate head coach, Noren posted an impressive 612-290-2 record, winning 67.8 percent of the games he coached.

Away from the diamond, Noren was profoundly impacted by the athletic administrators and coaches he worked alongside in his 14-year stint at the University.

"All of the AD's, Dave Olson, Paul Hoseth, and Laurie Turner, that I worked with impacted my life and time at PLU. Nick Dawson as SID and his friends in the media world were always exceptionally important and impactful to myself and the teams. Many of the coaches that I worked alongside were always pushing each other to become better coaches, leaders, and teachers. They gave tremendous mentorship and were as dedicated professionals as one could imagine. If I had to narrow it to one, it would be Mike Benson, who served as tennis coach during my time at PLU. Mike may have been the most Godly man that I have ever met, his demeanor, character, and caring attitude are unmatched. He set an unbelievably high bar for those that wish they were more like him."

In addition, Noren recognized that his team's success came in part from a great group of assistant coaches on staff, including his wife Leanne who he recently celebrated his 30th wedding anniversary with.  

"Certainly, all of the assistant coaches that I had the pleasure to work with, but especially my wife Leanne and our good longtime friend Phil Scott were unbelievably supportive and hardworking."

Having moved on from coaching, Noren now serves as the Purchasing Manager and Safety Coordinator for Robblee's Total Security in Tacoma. Noren relishes the opportunity to see his children grow up and thrive. His oldest son Kyle is a senior at Azusa Pacific University, his younger son Joel is a senior at Curtis High School while his daughter Leah is a sophomore at Curtis.

"There were many highs and lows during our tenure at PLU and fortunately both help you grow as a person. I first entered PLU as an 18-year old student, then returned to coach through my 20's, 30's, and into my 40's. I can't imagine a better place to work during those formative years, and many of those student-athletes, professors, and administrators are still friends and influencers today."