Caddy Corner
Kai Caddy

Wow.

That’s about the only way I can sum up the career of Sugar Bear coach Ron Marvel. Wow. With a record of 489-207 in 24 years at the helm of the Sugar Bears he has decided to step down. That’s another wow.

Marvel had to make a tough choice: 500 wins or be with his family. He chose correctly, I think. The man has had a great career, and I know I’m going to miss having him on the sideline, but he has the opportunity to watch his grandchildren grow up and enjoy retirement. At just 60 years old and in great shape, he’s got plenty of time to enjoy himself now.

After 24 years, who can really blame him?

He will be missed, however. Last year, in my first semester as sports editor, I was covering the Bears basketball team. It was what I wanted to do ever since arriving at The Echo — cover men’s hoops.

After the season, I wished I had covered the Sugar Bears. After watching the Bears struggle to a 5-20 record and a coaching change, I sat back and watched the Sugar Bears make a run to the Elite Eight.

I was in Russellville the night UCA won the South Regional to move on to the Elite Eight. It was insane. Unfortunately, I didn’t know Coach Marvel or any of the players. I had watched every one of the Sugar Bears’ games, but didn’t get to know them because I was covering the men.

Well, this year I didn’t make that mistake. Of course I still wanted to cover the guys, but I wanted to cover the women also. Josh Goff and I did just that.

We split time between the two programs, and I wish I had covered the Sugar Bears sooner.

I talked to Coach Marvel for the first time this football season. He sat down next to me in the press box, and he introduced himself and we chatted about the ballgame. It was a memorable experience for me.

I had finally officially met the legend. From that point on, I was greeted with a smile and a wave every time I ran into him.

When basketball season rolled around we hung out so much in the Farris Center, it’s a wonder Coach Marvel didn’t run us off. I think he appreciated that we were there. He would always chat with us and tell us a story or two.

He is just an amazing man to cover — a journalist’s dream. He will tell you like it is, and he is a great storyteller. He doesn’t hide things or sugarcoat. But at the same time, he is one of the most humble and polite men I have ever met.

I know I will truly miss having Coach Marvel to interview and talk to at practices and after games.

Stepping down when he did is just another example to me of how classy he is. He didn’t stick around just for 500, he knew his family needed him and he knew he wanted to be with them.

What a great career. Not one losing season. That’s practically impossible, but he did it. He leaves some big shoes to fill, but he’s got the perfect replacement.

His former player, Checola Seals, will take over the program. Seals has been the recruiting coordinator for a number of years and knows the team just as well as Marvel does. There will be little or no difference when the Sugar Bears hit the court again next winter.

It should be exciting to watch, but at the same time it will be kind of sad not getting to see Coach Marvel over on the sideline leading the troops.

But, change is inevitable, I’m just glad I got to see this man coach for two years. I know I will never forget him or what he accomplished here at UCA.

Wow.