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BY KYLE SVILAR
Times Correspondent | Friday, March 04, 2005 | (No comments posted.)
GIRLS BASKETBALL
No one will ever doubt that family is Susan Sanders' top priority.
Having dedicated 10 years to coaching Kouts' girls basketball team, Sanders knew early on that the 2004-05 season would be her final one.
"I've been in coaching for 20 years; I have two children of my own," said Sanders, who was 111-107 in 10 years as Fillies coach. "I think it's time for my family and myself."
After consulting with her husband and two children, Sanders made the decision to step down. She kept the resignation private until the conclusion of the Fillies' season, which ended on Feb. 12 in the championship game at the Class A Washington Twp. Sectional.
"I knew for the entire season," said Sanders, who notified her players in a postseason meeting three days after the sectional loss. "We decided as a family that it was time."
Sanders may be leaving, but her legacy won't soon be forgotten.
During her tenure as coach, Sanders led the Fillies to three sectional titles, a regional championship and a runner-up finish at semistate.
"She's met with some success in the last few years," Kouts athletic director Chris Fields said. "But I think she wanted to go in a different direction."
That direction includes spending more time with her family and escaping from the rigorous year-round basketball life she's led for years.
"We've got the opportunities now that we haven't had in the past," said Sanders, who is looking forward to a summer without basketball.
Though she will cherish the time away from basketball, Sanders found it difficult to part ways with her players.
"Basketball is about the kids," Sanders said. "It's nice for the kids to come through the program and go on. It's really nice to see them as grown people."
Fields said the athletic department will begin actively searching for Sanders' replacement in the coming weeks.
"We appreciate the time and dedication she's put into the program," Fields said. "She's going to be sadly missed."
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