I was saddened to learn of the recent resignation of Nick Rizer as the varsity softball coach at Peoria Sunrise Mountain.

Rizer did a great job for the Mustangs, guiding them to a couple of state championships. He was very enthusiastic, and it was contagious. The players picked up on that.

When a coach leaves a program, the measuring stick for success is whether he leaves it as good or better than when he started. Rizer definitely brought his program up a level or two.

Here’s hoping his next endeavor will be as successful, and perhaps he will return to the coaching box one day. The sport would benefit from it.