Bio

Considered to be one of the early pioneers of Cowley College softball, Amy Adams-Rich was honored for her success by being inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, January 29, 2022.

Adams-Rich was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma and began playing softball at the age of six. She went on to be named the 1986 Freshman Newcomer of the Year and an all-conference selection at Ponca City High School. She would go on to be named an all-conference and all-district selection each of her final three seasons at Ponca City prior to signing a letter of intent to play softball at Cowley.

Legendary softball coach Ed Hargrove, who is also in the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame, said getting Amy's name on a national letter of intent was a huge boost for Cowley and its recruiting efforts.

"She helped Cowley softball become a conference and regional power and eventually a national power," Hargrove said. "We were able to sign several more Ponca City players as a result of her coming to Cowley."

Adams-Rich chose to attend Cowley because of the high standards of the softball program and the coaching staff.

During her two seasons at Cowley (1990 and 1991), Adams-Rich helped Cowley go 54-28. During those two years she led the team in batting average (.429), hits (103), runs (87), doubles (15), and stolen bases (53). She added 31 runs batted in despite serving as the team's leadoff hitter.

Amy's solid play led to her being named a two-time all-conference and all-region third baseman. She was also named a NJCAA All-American as a sophomore.

Hargrove said along with Amy's ability at the plate, she was one of the best defensive third basemen he ever coached.

"Diehard baseball fans who know what Brooks Robinson was defensively, I would compare Amy to him," Hargrove said. "She was a vacuum cleaner over there. She was not only a great teammate, but also very popular at the school."

Adams-Rich credits Coach Hargrove and her teammates for her success at Cowley.

"The competitive nature of the program was second to none," Adams-Rich said. "The experience playing for Cowley helped prepare me for the next chapter of my life. My memories of playing softball, dancing for the Lady Tigerettes, being a finalist for Queen Alalah, and being Homecoming Queen will be with me forever, but beating Emporia will always top the list."

After graduating from Cowley she went on to play softball at Northeastern Oklahoma State University in Tahlequah, OK. Following graduation from NEO, she has been involved in starting several businesses but never dreamed that the business of producing rodeo events is where she would end up. 

"This has also inspired me to start the Rhinestone Hound Boutique which is named after my beloved bloodhound dog Otis," Adams-Rich said. "I travel to several rodeo and bullfighting events promoting them along with the Rhinestone Hound."

She is also the owner of Wild West Cattle and American Bullfighting. She and her husband, Kevin, have two sons, Ryder and Roper.

"Since we all have different chapters in our lives, and move on to different ventures I still reflect on my journey playing ball and Cowley tops the list," Adams-Rich said. " It is a great honor and privilege to be inducted into the hall of fame. It seems like yesterday I was playing third, my experience at Cowley will be with me forever. My lifelong friends and playing for the best coach is one of the greatest experiences a person could ever ask for. Thank you coach Hargrove for letting me have an experience of a lifetime."