Owensboro Catholic coaching legend George Randolph will be enshrined in the Dawahares/KHSAA Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. The induction ceremony will take place on May 4 at the Central Bank Center Ballroom in Lexington.
Randolph spent 22 years as the head coach of the Lady Aces softball program, leading them to unparalleled success. His teams captured a slow-pitch state championship in 1996 before transitioning to fast-pitch, where they secured state titles in 1998, 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2009.
The Lady Aces also made four additional state championship appearances, finishing as runner-up in 2001, 2004, 2006, and 2013. His tenure included an impressive 17 fast-pitch regional championships, with a dominant 13-year streak from 2001 to 2013 and 16 district titles. His efforts earned him a National Coach of the Year finalist nomination in 2018.
Reflecting on his induction, Randolph said he never imagined such an honor when he first took over the program.
“It’s amazing, very humbling, and I’m just grateful,” Randolph said. “When I took the softball job back in 1995, the last thing on my mind was that it would lead to this. We just worked hard and had great kids and great parents who bought in.”
Randolph was instrumental in transitioning Owensboro Catholic from slow-pitch to fast-pitch, a move that defined the program’s future. The shift required a learning curve, but Randolph and his staff were dedicated to building a program that could compete at the highest level.
“At the time, there wasn’t much fast-pitch softball around,” Randolph said. “We had to adapt quickly, learn new skills, and develop a style of play that suited our athletes. The girls embraced the challenge, and their work ethic made all the difference.”
Randolph credited much of the program’s success to the support from the school community and the dedication of his players.
“Owensboro Catholic fans are second to none when it comes to supporting athletics, especially in the postseason,” he said. “We played an exciting brand of ball, and the girls fed off the emotion of the crowd. Winning some of those state titles in Owensboro made it even more special.”
Though he retired from coaching in 2017 and teaching in 2021, Randolph remains active in the school community. He now drives a school bus for Owensboro Public Schools and still helps transport Catholic High teams when needed.
Looking back, Randolph said the relationships he built with his players mean the most.
“I’ve got one biological daughter, but through coaching, I’ve got over 100 more,” he said. “It’s always been about ‘we’ – we were a family. This Hall of Fame honor isn’t just mine. It’s for all those kids who played for us and made this program what it is.”
With this year’s 12-member class, the Dawahares/KHSAA Hall of Fame now boasts 529 inductees since its inception in 1988. Tickets for the May 4 ceremony will be available later on khsaatickets.org.
