Feb. 27 was an important day for the SUU women’s basketball team.
We celebrated an exciting conference win against Centenary, but more importantly the team, along with family and friends of the late women’s basketball head coach Steve Hodson, dedicated the women’s locker room in his memory.
Hodson died on Nov. 3, 2008 after an eight-year battle with multiple-cell mylenoma cancer.
Although the coaching staff is entirely new and his team is trying to move on, Hodson and his legacy are far from forgotten.
The completion and dedication of the locker room was a surprise to the team. The coaches, SUU Athletic Director Ken Beazer and those involved in the construction kept the surprise a secret until the day of the dedication.
Junior guard Kaila Goff, a member of Hodson’s original recruiting class, said she was glad the memorial was built.
“When I first saw it, it was a very emotional moment,” she said. “Every time I go in there I am reminded of him. I am still trying to be the player he wanted me to be.”
On the wall outside of the locker room is a plaque and picture of Hodson, accurately describing the kind of person he was.
It reads: “His legacy as a coach, mentor, player, and friend touched the lives of an entire community.”
Just inside the door is a large, wooden plaque with his picture, also placed in his memory.
Junior guard Caitlyn Sears, one of the first players recruited by Hodson, said she wasexcited about the completion of the locker room.
“It will always remind me of the person who got me here,” she said. “It will always motivate me. It is good to be reminded of the person I care about deeply, who helped me get where I am today.”
Before tip-off of the men’s final home game, Hodson’s wife, three daughters, sister, and grandchildren were honored on the court and received flowers from Hodson’s original recruiting class.
Following the dedication, they were escorted through the locker room where they were able to see the final project. It was evident that this was a difficult time for the family. There were many tears, smiles and hugs when the family and players entered the locker room.
Hodson impacted the lives of many. From his family, to his players, to his friends and colleagues, he seemed to touch everyone he interacted with. The effect his loss had on so many people shows what a respected, amazing person he was.
Members of the women’s basketball team are still mourning his loss, but say they have learned many lessons from this great tragedy.
Sophomore guard Cassie Burgess, a current member of the T-Birds, played for Hodson when he coached in high school. She also was looking forward to playing for him at the collegiate level.
Burgess said she is one of many who have been strengthened and learned a lot from Hodson’s loss.
“It’s taught me that sometimes we get so caught up in the little things that we tend to forget how lucky we really are,” Burgess said. “Coach Hod was a hero to people in the community, in Utah and outside of Utah. Everyone knew him. The people he played with and the people he coached will always remember him. He won’t be forgotten.”
Current women’s basketball head coach JR Payne couldn’t agree more.
“It is evident he influenced many lives in a variety of ways,” she said. “He was a mentor, father, coach, and friend. He embodied exactly what a good coach should be.”
Although Coach Hodson is gone, he will never be forgotten. For many years to come players and coaches entering the locker room will look at Coach Hod and remember him as he was: a father, grandfather, mentor, and friend.
And of course, a great coach.
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