Huntsmen Dedicate Track to Retired Coach Rick Bethel

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He represents the adopted moniker of Huntsmen Nation – The TWP.

Rick Bethel, a Huntington Alumnus (1964), retired teacher, former Athletic Director and coach of nearly every sport offered for both boys and girls until 2019, was honored by the school district during Friday’s Scioto Valley Conference Track & Field Championships.

Rain didn’t stop the ceremony as those in attendance braved the elements to pay tribute to Bethel.

“He’s who you wanted your kids to play for” said Huntington Public Address Announcer, Bud Lytle. “He’s who you wanted to play for. He epitomizes what it means to be an educator, a coach and what leaders of young people should be.”

Huntington Local Schools Superintendent Pete Ruby described Bethel as “A great mentor. A man who cared about these kids more than anything. There’s no one that deserves it more than Rick Bethel to have this track named after him.”

“He’s treated everybody like family” said Dan Riddle, Huntington’s Director of Special Programs “and that’s why everybody thinks of him as family as well.” Riddle taught with Bethel in the Huntington Social Studies Department for 37 years.

Huntington’s Director of Football Operations, Sam Beeler, has been operating the Facebook Page Huntington High School Friends and says readers have fond memories of Bethel as a coach and teacher. “He coached everything. When I post a picture of him, everyone – a long list of people just have great things to say about him.”

Humbled by the dedication, one could imagine the flood of memories Bethel was reviewing during the ceremony.

“It’s been unbelievable… the amount of people I’ve had, I’ve worked with, my coaches – just, too numerous to mention. I have a great deal of gratitude for my school, our community.”

Rick Bethel is The TWP.