TUCSON, Ariz — Rich Alday, who was the first ever Pima College baseball coach and won over 500 games for the Aztecs, passed away on Wednesday.
From 1974 to 1989, Alday's teams made three appearances in the NJCAA World Series. He also coached at the University of New Mexico for 18 seasons, and retired as the Lobos all-time winningest coach. Alday won his 1,000th career game as a college coach in 2007.
Alday the became Ironwood Ridge High School’s softball coach from 2014 to 2017. He coached that team to state championships in 2014 and 2016.
Alday returned to the Aztecs baseball program in 2018, and he then won his 500th career game for Pima, finishing with 517 wins.
"I've known Coach Alday for 25 years through baseball and my boys," said Pima Athletic Director Jim Monaco. "He would come to my office all the time. He was an amazing coach and will be missed terribly."
