Rich Alday began his coaching career at Pima Community College in Arizona, where he amassed 517 wins over 17 combined seasons (1974-89, 2018). A three-time NJCAA Region Coach of the Year, Alday led the Aztecs to five Arizona Community College Athletic Conference championships and three NJCAA World Series appearances, including a second-place finish at the 1985 NJCAA World Series.
Transitioning to the University of New Mexico after the 1989 season, Alday further solidified his legacy, becoming the all-time winningest coach in the university's history, with 515 victories over 18 seasons. In New Mexico’s inaugural season in the Mountain West Conference, Alday led the Lobos to the 2000 regular-season title with a 22-8 record, part of a 35-21 overall record. His accolades are numerous and include earning Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors in 1992 and 1995.
Named one of Tucson’s Top 50 Athletic Figures in the 20th Century by the Arizona Daily Star, Alday's impact transcended the baseball diamond, as evidenced by his stint as head softball coach at Ironwood Ridge High School in Arizona from 2014-17. He orchestrated two state title victories while accumulating 107 wins and an impressive .764 winning percentage.
Alday served as bench coach for Team USA in 1988, contributing to their gold medal win in Seoul, South Korea, and was an auxiliary assistant coach in 1996 when Team USA won a bronze medal in Atlanta.
Following his retirement, the former coach even umpired local high school softball games.
A 48-year Lifetime Member of the ABCA, Alday passed away in January 2021. His enduring influence is commemorated as a member of the Pima County Hall of Fame and Pima College Athletics Hall of Fame.
As a standout athlete at Tucson High School, Alday led the 1965 football team to an undefeated 12-0 record and a state championship as quarterback. He received All-State honors in both football and baseball before heading to the University of Arizona.
Following his freshman year, Alday transferred to Arizona Western College before playing his final two collegiate seasons at Emporia State College in Kansas, where he eventually began his career as a coach.
Alday, who was inducted into the Emporia State Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2000, caught for the Hornets baseball team in 1969 and 1970 and was recognized as All-Conference, All-District 10, All-Area III, and an Honorable Mention All-American in both years. He was also selected to the All-Tournament Team as a catcher at the 1969 NAIA World Series.
