Former Central Michigan volunteer assistant coach Rick Erskin passed away on April 11th at the age of 75.
According to his obituary, Erskin battled heart disease for seventeen years prior to his passing.
Erskin spent a decade on staff at Central Michigan, a tenure that began following his retirement from the energy industry in 2007. His tenure with the Chippewas included the 2008 MAC West division title and the 2013 MAC tournament championship, earned after a 2nd-place regular-season finish in the West division.
In addition to his decade-long tenure as a college softball coach, Erskin was an athlete in his own right during his high school days, playing a quartet of sports. He participated in football, basketball, baseball, and track as a student-athlete and was inducted into the Vestaburg Sports Hall of Fame in 2020 for his endeavors.
A Marine Corps veteran from the 1960s, Erskin spent forty years with the same energy company and was married since 1980. He was survived by his wife; two daughters; and six grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held for Erskin in Michigan on April 26th.
Central Michigan softball noted Erskin’s passing on social media earlier this week:
Rick Erskin you will forever be in our hearts. We not only honor you tomorrow but every time we wear a Chippewa uniform. Fire Up Forever! ♥️ pic.twitter.com/oopRTX3rTH
— CMU Softball (@CMUSoftball) April 23, 2021
