Togetherness. Self sacrifice. Not being selfish. Willing to sacrifice and any personal gains for the overall success of others.

Those are the traits Connors State softball mentor Rick Carbone learned early in his coaching career and the things he teaches his Cowgirls today. Those principals during his 26 years at CSC has resulted in a win-loss record of 584-327 (64 percent winning percentage) which includes a NJCAA College World Series appearance, a three-time Bi-State Conference titles and the a Region II Coach of the Year honor.

Carbone says he formed his philosophy during his early days of coaching as an assistant in baseball and wrestling and later head softball coach at Muskogee High School.

“I took something form each program and linked those with my personal experience to formulate a philosophy that now guides me,” said Carbone.

Carbone says win or lose, the most important things his girls can take from Connors and softball is the attitude that they can be successful and succeed in everything they do.”

Carbone graduated from Muskogee High School in 1973 and holds a B.A. in Special Education and Psychology from Northeastern State University in 1980.

Carbone is married, Kathy (Schiller from Muskogee) and has two children, Lindsey, Jordan.