Top Ten Stories – #8 – End of an Era

Thorne 001 300x200The Lady Tigers softball program ended a long, successful era in 2011, with the retirement of head coach Mike Thorne and assistant Jim Huson. Thorne was head coach for 18 seasons, and led Republic to 8 COC championships and 11 district titles. He took the Lady Tigers to back-to-back Final Fours in 2008 and 2009. His Republic teams compiled a record of 339-149.

Stepping into the head coaching job is Lee Dishman, who previously has been an assistant baseball coach at Republic.

Dishman said he knew he was stepping into a program with a history of success. “Coaches Thorne and Huson did a great job of getting the girls motivated and staying positive with them,” Dishman said after being hired. “I hope to continue with what they’ve instilled in the program, with the winning, and expecting to move on.”

You voted this story #8 on your list of favorites for 2011-2012.

Here are details from the ceremony honoring Thorne and Huson. And here’s a look at Republic’s new softball coach, Lee Dishman.

Photo gallery: Retirement Ceremony
Ceremony Video

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