Susan Cassidy-Lyke, a former NYPD captain, has taken the reins as Hofstra’s new softball coach with an uncompromising attitude.
A devout Catholic, Cassidy-Lyke even had her new office blessed by a priest, and her presence seems to be a blessing for the team. In her inaugural season, the program boasts an impressive 18-3 conference record, with an overall tally of 26-19.
“From the early fall, we emphasized accountability,” Cassidy-Lyke shared in an interview with The Post.
“When players ask me, ‘What should I do to improve?’ I always turn the question back on them, asking, ‘What do you think you need to do?’”
Her background is as diverse as it is extensive, from guiding Holy Trinity High School to four state championships to coaching volleyball at LIU. She later returned to softball, serving as Molloy University’s longstanding coach and athletic director.
Yet, it’s her life experiences, particularly as a 9/11 first responder, that have profoundly influenced her successful coaching philosophy.
She emphasizes character development and the bigger picture over wins and losses.
“I watched the second plane go in,” she said of the terror attack on the World Trade Center.
“I’ve had a totally different outlook on things since that. … There’s more to everything. I push that off on the kids. You can’t get crazy about one little thing, there’s so many more important things to worry about.”
Cassidy-Lyke (inset) said the Pride have been incredibly responsive to working hard and going deeper than the game. She’s taken them to do homeless outreach in New York City and has the team writing Valentine’s Day cards to elderly nuns on Long Island.
“A lot of them wanted to do it,” said Cassidy-Lyke, adding that the team even pitched to their coach new ideas about community service.
The mantra of going above and beyond has been a hit with Hofstra softball, which is enjoying a banner year in a newly furnished stadium.
“It was easier for us to demand more from them,” Cassidy-Lyke said.
“They really have, honestly, responded perfectly.”
