'The credit, 100%, goes to the kids': Madison's Niswander reaches 250-win milestone

MADISON TOWNSHIP — Tim Niswander took some time to allow himself to get lost in a deep thought during his planning period during the school day on Tuesday afternoon.

The Madison softball coach and teacher at the high school was sitting at 249 career wins. His thought, is 250 really that big of a deal? After all, to even be mentioned in the Ohio High School Athletic Association all-time wins leader list, a coach has to have a minimum of 300 victories. So, was 250 a major accomplishment? Or just another win?

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Then he thought about the state of high school sports today and how coaches do not seem to last as long anymore whether it be by their own decision or one made above them. He thought about how many coaches he has seen come through the Ohio Cardinal Conference during his 12-season run at Madison.

Yes, 250 wins is absolutely a big deal. Even if Niswander refuses to take any credit for it whatsoever.

"The credit, 100%, goes to those kids in the dugout and the kids who came before them who do what we ask them to do," Niswander said. "If they don't do the things we want them to do, I don't know if we win all these games."

Niswander led his Rams out to the field on Tuesday evening to a 14-3, six-inning win over Wooster for No. 250. Kyleigh Reiter had two hits and four RBIs in the win and the senior third baseman was proud to help her coach reach the milestone victory.

"It shows just how much work he put in to build a program," Reiter said. "He is out here all the time whether it is on the field or in the weight room. He is so dedicated. He is such a great coach. He may get on us a lot, but he is successful so it makes you listen to what he has to say."

And makes you want to make sure the old coach gets what he deserves.

"I give him a lot of credit. Maybe not all of it, but a lot of it," Reiter said with a laugh. "He should take more credit than he gets and wants."

As the game ended, he shook the hand of assistant coach Tim Carper, who has been with Niswander for the last 12 seasons at Madison and helped him pile up 186 victories, Wednesday's Division I sectional championship win over Oregon Clay gave Niswander 251 for his career, with the Rams. He also looked up at the sky as a nod to the late Willy Harper who was with Niswander at Lucas when they won 65 games together before they both went over to Madison and remained there until Harper passed away the day after Christmas in 2021 .

"Those two guys put in as much time as anyone I ever coached with and they didn't take a dime," Niswander said. "Carp is actually spending his own money on our program. Those guys are the most unappreciated on earth. Assistant coaches are people who never see their work get any credit for being the backbone of the program. They want the kids to do well, build great relationships with them and that makes them want to come here on an Tuesday nights in the middle of February when you just want to sit at home and stay warm and work."

As Niswander was walking off of the field after that 250th victory, he walked by a bench at the top of the hill that was built in Harper's memory inscribed with a plaque to make sure Willy had the best seat in the house every single game. And on Tuesday, he absolutely did.

"He would have a good time tonight, that is for sure," Niswander said. "I think about him all the time. He is here. He is here with us and the kids still know him and love him and we will make sure that as long as I am here, Willy is here."

And as long as Niswander is there, he will also make sure to provide his players with every opportunity to get better. And he leaves it up to his players to take advantage of those opportunities. Given how tough it is to crack the starting lineup at Madison, a program that plays the best players regardless of grade and has a defined role for every single player on the roster, it lights a fire in the girls to want to be a part of something.

"People tell us that our teams are really talented every year and it is because our kids do the work," Niswander said. "Every softball program in the state has the same hours as any other one does and what makes a difference is if the kids show up and do the work. It isn't an accident. Are they more athletic than the next kid? Maybe, maybe not. But they put in the time doing what we ask them to do and take pride in our program."

The players who came before completely understand.

"I had a couple of alumni here for No. 250 and for our tournament game and that is what is most special," Niswander said. "When you have kids who want to come back and make sure we are successful, that is what makes all of the hours we put in as coaches worth it. They want to see that program continue to be what it has become and the minute the kids in the dug out stop caring, we are sunk."

So, yes, 250 wins is absolutely a big deal. Niswander is the winningest coach in Madison softball history ahead of Randall Cooper who won 124 games in 11 seasons. At Madison, Niswander is averaging 15.5 wins per season and is currently 19-5 heading into the Division I district semifinals on Tuesday before hosting Lexington for a chance to claim a share of the Ohio Cardinal Conference title on Wednesday.

Now that is something to really think about.

jfurr@gannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: 'The credit, 100%, goes to the kids': Madison's Niswander reaches 250-win milestone