by Goodwell, Okla.—Panhandle State is pleased to announce the honoring of Assistant Softball Coach Bill Berry (Apache/Kiowa) by the AARP Oklahoma Indian Elders. As an honoree, AARP Oklahoma recognizes Berry with this prestigious award as an outstanding Native American Elder making an inspirational and powerful difference in his community and Indian Country.
Prior to his coaching term at Panhandle State, Berry coached high school softball in the state of Oklahoma for eighteen seasons and twenty all state-selections. He has accrued 448 wins and reached the state softball tournament eight times and amassed a number of regional and district championships. Berry was also an assistant coach with the ASA 18U Gold Tulsa Eagles, reaching the national tournament five times and placing ninth overall out of sixty-four teams in 2003. He has also been an invited clinician for the University of Oklahoma, Baylor University, and the University of Monroe softball.
Berry has been granted a number of impressive Oklahoma High School Association awards from 2000 to 2012, including: American Legion Baseball Coach of the Year, All-State Fast Pitch Coach of the Year, All-State West Baseball Coach, All-State West Slow-Pitch Coach of the Year. Berry was also awarded the National Native American Softball Coach of the Year by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2013. In 2016, Berry was inducted into the Oklahoma High School Fast Pitch Coaches Hall of Fame and was selected as the Native American All-State Games Fast Pitch South Coach.
Berry holds remarkable status as an Oklahoma softball coach, reflective of his years of significant achievements, service and commitment, and Panhandle State is proud to have him as part of the Aggies coaching staff. Family, friends and colleagues of Coach Berry are welcome to attend his induction ceremony at the Ninth-Annual AARP Oklahoma Indian Elder Honors banquet on Tuesday, Oct. 3, from 4:45-8:30 p.m. The medallion presentation ceremony will take place at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.
