OREM — After 17 seasons in the dugout for Utah Valley State's baseball team, head coach Steve Gardner has decided this year will be his last at the helm.
"It was kind of a hard decision to make," Gardner said.
Not a surprising statement, considering that the team is in the midst of building a Division I program.
The choice to hang it up didn't come out of the blue. Gardner said he told athletic director Mike Jacobsen of the decision two years ago.
While there isn't much left to accomplish on the baseball diamond, there is much left to do on a personal level after this season. Coaching a baseball team doesn't leave much time for family or even hobbies that he hasn't had time to pursue full-time.
Gardner said that coaching Division I baseball is one the big accomplishments he has made in his career.
Beating Arizona State in 2006 in Tempe would have to be another.
Leaving behind 454-395 record, including an 80-123 mark at the DI level, Utah Valley has done much with their program. The team should keep getting better, as their jewel of a ballpark can do much to lure recruits to the cold confines of Orem in the winter.
Gardner's coaching at the Division I level is what people remember. His junior college team's weren't slouches. Three SWAC titles in juco play — the latest in 1998 with a team that went 42-15 — is just part of the success he has had.
There are some regrets Gardner will have. The glaring one is not being able to finish coaching those who have left on LDS missions. "Seeing some leave on missions and not seeing them through (will be tough)," he said.
Still, he won't be far from the bench even after he leaves. Gardner still plans on helping Wolverine athletics in any way he can.
"I can kick back and be a fan," Gardner said.