By Jay Hoberecht
Since 2001, David Riesen has been coaching baseball at his alma mater Pioneer High School. In twenty seasons, Riesen has compiled a 603-168 record, winning 78.2 percent of his games. The Mustangs have reached the state baseball tournament seven times. Their best finish was in 2015 as state runner-Up. Pioneer has 17 District Championships and seven Regional Championships. Riesen has been named the Enid News & Eagle Coach of the Year seven times and the Oklahoma Baseball Coach Association Presidential Award winner three times. In eleven of the last twelve seasons, Pioneer has won at least 30 games.
Coach Riesen was both surprised and humbled when OBCA President Brad Gore called him to announce he had been elected to the OBCA Hall of Fame. In December of last year, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in ceremonies in Stillwater. Coach Riesen acknowledged it is not why he coaches baseball but it was a humbling experience to be a Hall of Famer. He talked about the most rewarding part of coaching being the relationships you form with both players and coaches.
Coach Riesen talked about some of the changes over the years. He feels kids are more distracted now than when he started. Video games and cell phones are the major reasons. He knows he has changed over the years becoming more flexible and he understands situations better dealing with players.
Baseball is alive and well for the Pioneer Mustangs. Improvements to John D. Riesen Field include new bleachers and a new press box this year as well as new dugouts and a new scoreboard. The high school parking lot is asphalted and there are plans for more improvements to the baseball and softball fields to enhance the playing surface and player safety.
Coach Riesen understands support for his program is vital. It begins with his wife Michelle and two children, son Maddux and daughter Reggie, and continues with assistant coaches Tim Riesen and Gerald Parker plus an administration that understands the value of athletics in high school. Coach Riesen appreciates that so many coaches have had a positive influence on his life and he is committed to passing that positive influence on to the players in the Pioneer Mustang baseball program.
Pictured above, Current and former players attending the HOF Ceremony
What other coaches say about Hall of Fame Coach David Riesen…
Coach Scott Baugh, Alva Baseball Coach…David is very deserving of the honor. He is an outstanding baseball coach and ambassador of the sport. He is a role model and colleague that has tremendous respect. He loves baseball and kids!
Coach Steve Hendricks, Retired Coach…David is a great manager of the game. It was always tough to compete against Pioneer with both David and Tim in the other dugout. Dave is one of the best people I know.
Coach Doug Crawford, Retired baseball coach…thrilled to hear about his induction into HOF. I don’t know of another coach in this part of Oklahoma more deserving. His love and understanding of the game and compassion for players sets him apart. I consider him both a great coach and a great friend.
Coach Jeremy Kliewer, Crossing Christian Baseball Coach…Playing for Coach Riesen, I realized he was a player’s coach. He knows the game and can teach the game. I am in coaching because of the impact he had on my life. He is a great friend.
