Mike Rollman talks to his players in the pitching circle. Rollman passed away at age 37. (Photo courtesy of Blue Mountain Athletics)

The devastating news spread quickly. So did the shock. And the heartbreak.

Just weeks before the start of the 2025 softball season, Schuylkill County lost one of its most successful, well-respected and well-liked coaches. Mike Rollman, who guided Blue Mountain to back-to-back PIAA Class 4A state softball championships, passed away Feb. 9. He was 37.

In six seasons (including the missed 2020 season due to COVID 19), Rollman’s teams compiled a 101-22 record, an .821 winning percentage. Under his guidance, the Eagles captured three Schuylkill League Division I championships, two Schuylkill League playoff championships, three District 11 titles and two PIAA Class 4A state championships.

In his last game, Rollman led Blue Mountain to a 4-0 victory over Elizabeth Forward in the state title game on June 14, 2024.

STORY: Mike Rollman passes away (LINK)

STORY: Blue Mountain hires Leonard as head coach (LINK)

Rollman’s untimely passing and effect it had on the Schuylkill County sports and softball communities ranks No. 6 on the T102 Sports Now Top 10 Stories of the 2024-25 School Year as voted on by writers and broadcasters at t102sportsnow.com, WPPA/A-106 and T-102. To wrap up Year 1 and gear up for Year 2 of t102sportsnow.com, the staff is counting down the best stories of the past school year.

WPPA BROADCAST: Blue Mountain vs. Northwestern Lehigh softball, June 10, 2024 (LINK)

WPPA BROADCAST: Blue Mountain vs. Elizabeth Forward softball, June 14, 2024 (LINK)

T102 Sports Now Top 10 Stories

Thursday, July 17: No. 10 — Minersville’s Dante Carr commits to play football at UCF

Friday, July 18: No. 9 — Schuylkill Haven wins first Schuylkill League girls’ basketball title

Saturday, July 19: No. 8 — Sage Smeltz’s senior season at Williams Valley

Sunday, July 20: No. 7 — Tom Gallagher resigns as Blue Mountain football coach, Chuck Kutz returns

Monday, July 21: No. 6 — Blue Mountain softball coach Mike Rollman passes away unexpectedly

Tuesday, July 22: No. 5

Wednesday, July 23: No. 4

Thursday, July 24: No. 3

Friday, July 25: No. 2

Saturday, July 26: Top 10 views of the past year

Sunday, July 27: No. 1