Hall of Fame
The longest-serving and most victorious coach in Peru State softball history is Mark Mathews. His 24 seasons as the head coach produced 584 wins which at present is over 70% of the total win in Bobcat softball history. In addition, at the time of his passing, Mathews was 15th on the all-time winningest list of active coaches in the NAIA.
The only Bobcat team to ever make it to the NAIA National Championships was his 1996 team which finished with a 42-23 mark. The 1996 team was inducted into the Peru State Hall of Fame in 2015.
Mathews was twice named as the conference coach of the year – in 1996 and in 2006. The 2006 team won the conference regular season and tournament titles – a first for Peru State while participating in the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC).
Truly an advocate of the student-athlete, 48 of Mathews’ players were named NAIA Scholar-Athletes while others earned NFCA and CoSIDA academic and athletic honors. In addition, most of his teams earned NAIA or NFCA scholar team status.
Mathews will always be remembered for his love of conservation and for planting a tree for each of his seniors. Also, he served the campus and community in many capacities.
