Lava Bear coach hangs it up


Bend Senior High School softball coach Tom Mauldin announced his resignation as the Lava Bear coach on June 6.


“It’s been a grand four years,” said Mauldin, who had a won-loss record of 65-12 as BSHS head coach, including 29-2 in 2022. “But it is time to make sure family and health are first and foremost. Soon to be 72, it’s time.”


Mauldin said it was more of a “retirement” than resignation, but this makes it official.


The Bears were ranked No. 1 in 2021 after going 18-1 and finished No. 1 in the Oregon 6A Coaches Poll in 2022. They also were ranked as high as No. 11 in MaxPreps' National Rankings. BSHS won 47 of its last 50 games under the veteran coach.


Mauldin noted there were “too many thank yous” to issue in a short statement. “But I would like to give a special shout out to athletic director Lowell Norby, athletic secretary Genelle Reese, BHS accountant Debbie Christian and principal Christopher Reese.”


Bend High School athletic director Lowell Norby said a search for a new coach would begin soon.