Bemidji Soccer Coach Rick Toward Ends 31-Year Run with 291 Wins

Rick Toward stepped down as Bemidji High School's boys soccer head coach, closing a 31-year tenure that produced 291 wins, four section championships, and a run to the 2018 Class A state final at U.S. Bank Stadium.

BHS activities director Kristen McRae announced the resignation. Toward's career record of 291-233-45 ranks among the most decorated in northern Minnesota high school soccer.

Three consecutive Section 8A titles in 2016, 2017, and 2018 culminated in a state runner-up finish against The Blake School in Minneapolis on November 3, 2018. In 2024, Sam Byrne's goal gave Bemidji a 1-0 win over top-seeded Buffalo for the Section 8-3A championship before the Lumberjacks fell to top-seeded Minneapolis Washington in the Class 3A state quarterfinal.

Toward was named Section 8AAA/8-3A Coach of the Year three times and MSHSL Class A Coach of the Year in 2016. He taught at BHS for over 32 years and earned the WEM Outstanding Educator Award in 2020. The Bemidji Pioneer included him on its Quarter-Century Team of the area's most impactful sports figures.

Rather than retire, Toward and his wife Sherry are moving to Montevideo, Uruguay, where he will continue teaching. His class sizes drop from roughly 40 students to 14, and his weekly student load falls from approximately 300 to 60. He leaves in mid-July ahead of Uruguay's August school start. The couple is keeping their Bemidji home and plans to return regularly.

The Lumberjacks, whose roster once included Toward's son Al, will open next season at Chet Anderson Stadium under new leadership for the first time since 1995.