Former Humboldt State coach Frank Cheek passed away on Saturday, May 30th. He was 82 years old.
Cheek spent twenty-five years leading the Lumberjack softball program, and helmed the squad to Division II national championships in 1999 and 2008. During his tenure leading the softball program, Cheek collected more than 1,100 career wins, and reached the 50-win plateau in thirteen different seasons.
Also the department’s wrestling coach for 22 years, Cheek led 50 All-Americans during his time on the diamond and on the mat. He was inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2009 and the California Collegiate Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2019.
The all-time winningest coach in Humboldt State program history, Cheek retired from coaching in 2013. He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Mary Lou, and a daughter and grandson. A celebration of life is scheduled for June 27th.
