UVU reacts to announcement of head men’s basketball coach Dick Hunsaker stepping down
UVU head coach Dick Hunsaker calls out to players during the men's basketball game between Utah Valley University and St. Katherine College at the UCCU Center in Orem on Monday, Feb. 9, 2015. SPENSER HEAPS, Daily Herald
UVU head coach Dick Hunsaker watches a game against New Mexico State on Feb. 27.
Utah Valley head coach Dick Hunsaker looks on at his team during the first half Saturday at Fayetteville, Ark.
UVU head coach Dick Hunsaker watches first-half action as his Wolverines take on Idaho State on Tuesday in Orem.
OREM — In 13 years as the head coach of the Utah Valley men’s basketball team, Dick Hunsaker had a tremendous impact on the program, the state of Wolverine athletics and on hundreds of athletes.
A few of those he has touched had a chance to react after Hunsaker made the announcement Saturday night that he will be stepping down from that position as of June 30, 2015.
“Coach Hunsaker has been here through what would be many coaches’ careers and lifetimes,” UVU athletic director Vince Otoupal said. “I’m convinced we wouldn’t be in the Western Athletic Conference right now if not for the work of Dick Hunsaker and (former athletic director) Mike Jacobson. It doesn’t take much time to find people across the country who have been affected by Hunsaker.”
Otoupal talked about how fortunate Wolverine athletes have been to have a coach who brings such passion.
“He’s really an impressive coach and an impressive man,” Otoupal said. “UVU is much better because of the time he spent here, because of his emotion and strength.”
The most famous Wolverine men’s basketball alumnus expressed similar sentiments. Los Angeles Lakers guard Ronnie Price, a nine-year NBA veteran who played for Hunsaker from 2002-05, talked about Hunsaker via video conference call Saturday night.
“This is tough for me personally,” Price said. “It’s kind of an emotional moment for me. I’m just happy to have been around him for a little while and I’m very excited to see the things he’ll do moving forward. I’m honored to have played for him at UVU and I’m thankful for having him be a big part of my life.”
Price said what he remembers most about his team with Hunsaker was the passion the Wolverine coach had for the game.
“I grew to love him so much,” Price said. “He showed a similar passion and loved the game as much or even more than I did. I was able to learn. I will always be indebted to him for that.”
Here are some other reactions from former players, assistant coaches and parents of players:
- Ryan Toolson (former UVU player, 2003-04, 2006-09): “I just want to thank Coach Hunsaker for screaming at me, testing me, and then trusting in me to carry his team for the last few years of my college career. Without these trials, I don’t think I would be the player I am today.”
- Keawe Enos (former UVU player, 2011-14): “I am convinced I would not be the man I am today without having played for Coach Hunsaker. I will be forever thankful to coach and to the university for my years at UVU and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I am so grateful for the time I was able to spend at UVU as part of the men’s basketball program. Not only for the amazing experience, and incredible support from the university, but most of all for the life lessons learned from Coach Hunsaker and the person those lessons helped me to become.”
- Terry Parker (former UVU assistant coach, 2013-14): “I love Coach Hunsaker. He treated me like a son. I have never worked for a more competitive coach, or a coach that cared more about his players. I am very appreciative of my experience coaching with him.”
- Ken Aird (father of former UVU player and current assistant coach Ben Aird, 2010-14): “Thank you for all you are doing to help [Ben].”
Otoupal said he and Hunsaker discussed the situation a number of times, including up until Friday night.
“I’m surprised we are doing it tonight but I have a lot of respect for Dick Hunsaker,” Otoupal said. “He’s one of the sharpest men I’ve been around. I look forward to him continuing to the end of the season and helping our team be the best it can be.”
In his prepared statement, Hunsaker said he believes the basketball program will benefit from a change.
“I believe change will energize the program,” he said. “A different style and philosophy will be healthy as Utah Valley University continues to move forward. It is time to see a “new” green sports coat on the sideline.”
The UVU athletic director said that the athletic department now has to start considering the next step.
“I’m sure that the phones are going to start ringing with nominations and people who are interested,” Otoupal said. “This is a special place and we need to get the right coach in here to carry on and continue to take us to the next level. We’ll be looking for the right guy to make us better.”
Utah Valley 74, Bakersfield 69
BAKERSFIELD (13-18, 7-7 WAC)
Player;M;FG;FT;R;PF;A;TP
Mays;31;3-6;3-5;4;4;0;9
Jones;9;0-1;0-0;0;0;0;0
Wrapp;26;2-5;5-6;4;4;4;9
Maynor;32;5-13;1-3;1;0;1;12
Airington;38;0-4;5-6;6;4;2;5
Corbin;14;1-2;0-0;2;0;1;3
Conners;5;0-0;0-0;0;0;0;0
Richmond;20;5-11;3-4;1;5;2;14
Ab.Ahmed;1;0-0;0-0;0;0;0;0
Al.Ahmed;34;7-11;3-6;10;3;0;17
Team;;;;2
Totals;;23-53;20-30;30;20;10;69
UTAH VALLEY (11-18, 5-9 WAC)
Player;M;FG;FT;R;PF;A;TP
Bruneel;36;1-4;0-2;4;0;1;3
Evans;23;2-5;0-2;6;4;0;4
Nelson;34;8-13;6-6;9;4;5;29
Davis;36;3-7;3-4;2;3;6;11
Williams;32;6-9;4-5;3;2;3;19
Jackson;12;1-2;3-4;0;2;1;6
Ross;10;0-1;0-2;2;2;1;0
Carr;8;0-1;0-0;0;1;0;0
Hamilton;8;1-1;0-0;3;2;1;2
Gubler;1;0-0;0-0;1;0;0;0
Team;;;;1
Totals;22-43;16-25;31;20;18;74
Bakersfield;29;40;–;69
Utah Valley;39;35;–;74
3-point goals: Bakersfield 3-11 (Maynor 1-6, Airington 0-1, Corbin 1-1, Richmond 1-3), UVU 14-25 (Bruneel 1-4, Nelson 7-11, Davis 2-2, Williams 3-5, Jackson 1-1, Ross 0-1, Carr 0-1). Turnovers: Bakersfield 5 (Mays 2, Maynor, Airington, COrbin), UVU 11 (Bruneel 2, Evans, Nelson, Davis 3, Williams, Ross, Hamilton 2). Blocks: Bakersfield 1 (Al.Ahmed), UVU 4 (Nelson 2, Williams 2). Steals: Bakersfield 5 (Mays 3, Wrapp, Corbi), UVU 2 (Nelson, Davis). Technicals: None. A-2,309.
After 13 years as the head men’s basketball coach for Utah Valley, Dick Hunsaker announced Saturday night that he will resign at the end of his current contract, effective on Jun. 30, 2015.
“With family present, much like when I was introduced at UVSC 13 years ago, I am announcing that at the end of my current contract, I am stepping down as head men’s basketball coach at Utah Valley University effective June 30, 2015,” Hunsaker said in a prepared statement after UVU’s 74-69 win over Bakersfield in the final regular season game of the year.
He went on to talk about his excitement to spend time with his seven grandchildren and to pick up his son Zach from his LDS mission in Africa.
“Over the past 13 years, UVU has been a part of our family with our daughter Jodi and our son Holton having earned their degrees,” he said.
He thanked the UVU administration, the supporters and the assistant coaches who he has worked with.
“It has been a privilege to coach so many outstanding young men,” he said. “To have them continue to include me in their lives has been extremely gratifying. I thank them for their positive influence on me and my family.”
Hunsaker concluded by expressing his belief that a change will benefit the Wolverine men’s basketball program.
Hunsaker’s record at UVU is 232-158 including going 18-12 in WAC play.
More details and reaction from Hunsaker’s resignation will be published in Monday’s Daily Herald.