SUU women's basketball coach Steve Hodson died Monday night after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Hodson was diagnosed eight years ago with mutiple cell myeloma, a type of cancer that has an estimated life span of 2 1/2 to four years.
Even in Hodson's toughest days fighting the disease, he could be found on the hardwood coaching his girls with a smile on his face.
Former T-Bird player Charmaine Piula played under Hodson her senior year and also served as a student assistant on Hodson's staff last year. Piula said Hodson will be sorely missed.
"He's definitely the strongest person I've ever known," she said. "He overcame a lot and everyone looked up to him and respected him."
Hodson was a giant in the Cedar City community, as he had coaching stints at Cedar High, Canyon View High and Dixie State as well as SUU.
Hodson's Southern Utah ties ran deep. His career at SUU began as a player in 1975 when he suited up for the T-Birds for three seasons. He was named to the All-District Team twice and the All-RMAC team once during his playing career and was voted to SUU's All-1970's Team.
Hodson graduated from SUU in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education.
Hodson's coaching career began shortly after his playing days as he was named the boy's assistant coach at Cedar High in 1977. Hodson would become a fixture on the sidelines around this region for more than 20 years.
He became the men's assistant coach at Dixie State in 1980-1983. He returned to his alma mater in 1987 when he was tabbed as the T-Birds men's assistant coach until 1991.
Hodson also served as the Cedar High head men's basketball coach from 1991-1997 where he led the Redmen to two consecutive state titles in 1994 and 1995.
Hodson then took the position as the Canyon View High head men's basketball coach from 1998-2000. Hodson led the Falcons to a 3A state championship in 1999 and was as the 3A Boy's Basketball Coach of the year for his efforts.
Hodson became the Canyon View women's head basketball coach from 2001-2006 where he led the Falcons to a state championship and three consecutive Region 9 titles from 2004-2006. In 2006, He earned coach of the year for a second time.
In the same year, he took over the reigns over the SUU women's program and became the eighth head women's basketball coach in SUU's 31-year history.
His impressive coaching career wasn't only recognized in Southern Utah but across the state. He was the only Utah high school coach to win boy's and girl's state championships at three different schools. He is also one of three Utah high school coaches to win both boy's and girl's state titles.
Hodson's list of accolades doesn't end there, as he was inducted into the SUU coaching Hall of Fame in 2005.
SUU athletic director Ken Beazer said Hodson made a strong impact on the community.
"His courage and positive attitude in which he attacked this disease has been a great example to others and a credit to the type of person that he was. He has touched the lives of countless individuals for good and his passing not only leaves a hole at SUU, but in the sport of basketball in this region," Beazer said in a press release.
Hodson is survived by his wife Suzy, daughters Annie, Summer and Kristy along with five grandchildren. No funeral arrangements have been announced.
Power 91's Chris Holmes reports.
A late October report from Power 91's Chris Holmes on Hodson's battle with cancer.
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Southern Utah University suunews.com > News
SUU women's basketball coach Steve Hodson dies after battle with cancer
Published: Thursday, November 6, 2008
Updated: Sunday, November 22, 2009
 "Photo: Courtesy of SUU Athletics")
Courtesy of SUU Athletics
Courtesy of SUU Athletics
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