Iowa girls high school sports icon E. Wayne Cooley made his first trip back to Fort Dodge for the state softball tournament since 2002 this week.

He couldn't believe what he saw.

The 87-year-old Cooley, who had missed most of the recent renovation process at Rogers Sports Complex after retiring as the long-time executive secretary of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, was ''amazed'' by the facility's upgrades, first-year executive director Mike Dick said Wednesday.

''Dr. Cooley couldn't believe it. He was just in awe,'' said Dick, a former principal at Prairie Valley High School who officially replaced current Northern Iowa athletic director Troy Dannen in the top spot at the IGHSAU last August. ''From the upgrades to the diamonds, to the new fields, signs, concessions, restrooms, improved parking - the list goes on and on.

''He told me that he had such a good time, he planned on coming back (today).''

Cooley, known nationally as a pioneer and a trail blazer in high school girls athletics, spent 48 years at the helm with the Union. The Iowa legend orchestrated the expansion of organized prep girls sports from just basketball to softball, golf, tennis, cross country, swimming, volleyball, track and soccer during his tenure. Cooley brought state softball to Fort Dodge in 1970.

''It was great seeing him again,'' Parks and Recreation Director Lori Branderhorst said. ''He was very impressed by what he saw. We've done a lot here in the last seven years, which you really realize when you talk to someone who hasn't been back in a while.

''He got to see the (E. Wayne Cooley) boulevard (of champions, just inside the main entrance), which meant a lot to us. He's just so pleased with how far this event has come, from the two little fields here four decades ago to where it is today.''

Another fixture in Iowa girls athletics, head coach Larry Niemeyer of Cedar Rapids Jefferson, gave the complex the seal of approval this week as well.

''When you hear someone like Coach Niemeyer (the nation's all-time prep softball leader in career wins) sing its praises, it's very humbling. We're very grateful,'' Branderhorst said. ''He just loves it here, and he always goes out of his way to compliment us. That means a lot.''

As expected, Dick has received plenty of feedback from fans, coaches and players in the past few days.

''It's been very positive, almost across the board,'' Dick said. ''We're treated so well. All of us. Everyone is incredibly helpful and cooperative. Combine that with the facilities themselves and you have the total package. It's unrivaled in this state, and that's what we're always in search of: the best product for our teams and schools. This is it right here.''

OLD IS NEW AGAIN: The decision to return to the Monday through Friday format was finalized by Dick after careful and meticulous consideration.

''With the weather mess a year ago, we went back to the drawing board realizing there were changes that needed to be made,'' Dick said. ''We had to send teams home and cancel consolation games, which no one was happy about.

''We came up with the current schedule (afternoon games on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, with a consolation day on Wednesday) after brainstorming and listening to the thoughts of the coaches' advisory committee. We want every team to get all three games in and go home happy. This gives us a better chance of getting that accomplished.''

Start times are also staying on track this year, with contests following two-hour increments instead of the old 90-minute setup.

''So far, so good,'' Dick said. ''We had a little inclement weather we had to get through (on Tuesday), but (Rogers Sports Complex superintendent) Jimmy (Winter) and his crew were outstanding as usual. We're using four fields (Dodger and Veterans on the mini-major side were christened during the consolation round), but they're all in such great condition and very well-managed. They know what they're doing. We have all the confidence in the world in them.''

UNITY: Branderhorst admitted ''it's easy to get emotional'' when thinking about the dedication and commitment of the Fort Dodge Parks and Recreation Department.

''Young and old, full-timers, part-timers and volunteers - I can't emphasize enough how much they all mean to us and to this event,'' Branderhorst said. ''I'm just so proud of them, and proud to be from Fort Dodge. (Hosting) is in our blood. We embrace it, and do whatever it takes to put together a special experience.

''You can't be perfect, but that doesn't stop us from striving for perfection. We're incredibly fortunate to have countless people in our community who treat state softball as the highlight of the year. There are hard days and long hours, but this is what we do.''

Branderhorst couldn't thank everyone individually, but made sure to highlight Winter and his staff: Glenn Yenger, John Prorok, Nick Vinson, Reid Branderhorst, Cole Osterberg, Andrew Pavel, Morgan O'Connor, Mike Howell, Nate Halverson, Aaron Paxton, Jason Trushcheff, Mike Rodewald, Keaton Lunn and Tyler Winter. Program supervisors Ryan Maehl and Rachel Maehl and concession managers Heather Frye, Hilary Cochrane, Megan Batcheller and Courtney Vaughn were also credited, along with countless others.

BY THE NUMBERS: It's not out of the ordinary to see IGHSAU media relations director Jason Eslinger, Monte Wilson or other staff members frantically hopping from diamond to diamond this week. They put an incredible amount of work in both before and during the tournament to keep the media prepped and primed.

''Most people don't really think about or realize work goes on behind the scenes, which is only natural,'' Dick said. ''We have seven of our 11 staff members up here all week working their tails off. I'm really proud of them. It's a total team effort, and I could not ask for more.''

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UMPIRES: 2009 state softball umpires are Mark Amadeo, Darrel Bartling, Neil Bracker, Mark Brighton, Greg Buster, Delbert Christensen, Mark Christians, Mark Crozier, Mike Crozier, Jim Doyle, Kris Groff, Tony Halsted, Brian Hazelton, Al Heim, Dan Hill, Dave Huling, Dewey Hupke, Doug Johnson, Jerry Kadlec, Steve Kappos, Brian Knapp, Phil Kudron, Myron Linn, Brian Lorber, Steve McCann, Roger Menke, Jon Miller, Tom Moore, Troy Nicklaus, Jeff Nihart, Pat Pacha, Kirk Park, Mark Paulsen, Dennis Peppmeier, James Peterson, Deb Richarz, Jamie Rodenberg, Stan Rupe, John Schuck, Jason Slater, Al Stoltz, Jeff Tank, Duane Tarrence, Gary Wax, Terry Weisenborn, Vince Werkman, Ted Wernimont, Stan Wisneiski, Karl Woolridge.

Contact Eric Pratt at (515) 573-2141, or by e-mail at sports@messengernews.net