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Show t Falcons Finish Seventh At State SECTION DAVIS REFLEX JOURNAL, MARCH 27, 1985 By KEITH DUNCAN Journal Sports KAYSVILLE Gardner era is - The Mike over. AFTER 16 years as a head coach and 30 years as either a coach or player, the veteran basketball ace has announced his retirement from the sport. He was one of a kind. There'll be no more summer basketball camps but only a fishing pole instead. Gone are the late practice sessions only to be replaced with more personal sessions with his sons who love the sport like he does. No more ranting and raving on the sidelines as referees breathe a sigh of relief. No more decisions about man to man or zone defenses, but only to decide where to sit and support next years crew which hes already promised to do. YES, ITS hardly believable that the guy won't be commanding the ship anymore. But the decision to step aside, which was actually made last August, was announced by Gardner himself to his '84-8- 5 team moments after their loss to Clearfield in the recently concluded tournament. As Gardner steps down, John Robison will step up from his role as an assistant to head the Davis the end of a glorious era for us. I hung onto every little thing that happened in that game because I knew it was drawing to a close. When the end did come, it came really abruptly." Friends Galore Tell Their Feelings On Mike it was Mike who said, Linda is very concerned and supportive all of the ON SATURDAY By future years. Gardner in however, will remain on the Dart athletic staff and continue to assist in football. IT WAS last Saturday afternoon in his home, while college basket- ball was getting his attention from a television set, that Gardner paused for a moment to reflect upon his decision to retire and some of the more memorable times of the past. About the ultimate decision to call it quits, Gardner stated, The decision is an individual thing but when it's time you know its there. IVE THOROUGHLY enjoyed this past year and in fact I thought it was one of my better coaching jobs. But I had made my mind up as early as last August that this was it. I just lost the intensity to spend the time as a coach. Im tired, it's that simple. After 19 years as a head coach Ive decided to spend my time in pursuit of other things rather than dominating my whole life with basketball. - KAYSVILLE When Stan Watts, the former BYU coach was time and this decision included both of us even though she left it entirely up to me and supported me in what I did. The emotion she felt last Friday night was built around that last game. Im emotional too. 1 love Davis High School and I love the kids Ive coached. informed that Mike Gardner was hanging up his basketball career, his first remark was, He can't do that, he's too young." IT WAS in August that Gardner proposed retirement from basketball to his family but the actual decision came near Christmas when he submitted a letter to the district and his principal. Twenty years of coaching can bring such things as pain, joy, emotions, winning, losing and just about everything else to the surface. Gardner certainly had his share of those things and more during his tenure at Spanish Fork and Davis Highs. Mike Gardner demands during time out of championship year. THOUGH 42 years old. basketball has kept this guy living like a youthful teenager. He first began playing when 12 years old and for the next 30 years he's been involved with organized basketball in one way or another. "Thats a long, long time, said Gardner, and you're bound to get tired. The Davis coach continued to say, I've always said I would quit if two things were to occur first. players didn't respect me. Thats because Ive seen too many coaches hang on long after their players failed to respect them. Second, wasn't going to coach when it wasnt fun anymore. First, if my 1 BUT RIGHT now I'm retiring while I still have respect from my players, my fellow coaches and the community. I think they respect Mike Gardner and it's a good time to get out while things are going good. I wanted to get out before I was forced out because that day could surely come. He made the decision on his own which is how he really wanted it. IT WAS a masterful job that Gardner performed in blending this years group and taking them into another state tournament. It was his last group and one hell always We took a team with remember. good kids, though not much physical size, and did things people didn't think we could do," he said. The Darts weren't supposed to battle like they did but all they did was Finish second in their league and played hard in their three tournament games. It was a special team, Ill never forget them," he said. As that last game against Clearfield drew to a close, one person in the Special Events Center was overcome with emotion. It was Linda Gardner whos been beside Mike now for 24 years. AS LINDA wiped a few away, she managed to say, tears "Its 4-- tournament. After 20 years of coaching, 16 of them as a head coach at Davis High, Gardner has made hundreds upon hundreds of friends. A few of them lended some of their feelings as to Gardner's decision to retire from basketball. at Davis High is Jim Dickson, the current head football coach. Even though Gardner is stepping down as the basketball coach, he'll continue to assist Dickson in football. MIKE IS a demander, but hes never wanted anything but the best for the kids. He will be missed for awhile. Mike has been a tremendous asset to the game and its just too bad that there arent more coaches like him who arent selfish. Most guys want success for their own programs but Mike has never been that way. He w'ants everyone's program to be successful. THIS PAST year he worked his heart out for the football program and I respect him for his advice because of his experience. I just hope I've supported him as much as hes supported me. The bottom line is hes not selfish. You wont find many basketball coaches coming out eveiy week to wrestling matches." brother Mark during Mikes second year with the Darts. Its something not every coach can do, to coach your own brother. Mark ended up as one of the leading scorers in the league, got a basketball scholarship and today is a coach in California. It was a thrill, perhaps about all of the individual things that happened over those years," said Gardner. Through Mikes 20 year span, he coached one year as the head coach at Snow College (finishing second in the IACA), two years at Spanish Fork and the remainder at good ole Davis High. ONE MEMORABLE team in 4 club that Kaysville was the won their region and went to state. It included such names as Alan Parrish (assistant coach at Cottonwood Ffigh), Roger Purdy, Craig Taylor, ancLfour great guards that 73-7- included Brad Timothy, Blair Arnell, Keith Russell and Ron RICHARD STE F.NSON No principal-coacrelationship could be any closer than what Richard Stevenson, the Davis High principal, and Mike Gardner have displayed over the years. STEVENSON stated. Mike has been a joy ever since he came to Davis High. My family, besides everyone else, speaks very highly of him. he's just a member of the family. MIKE HAS always been a great for the kids, both on the court and off. Hes one of our best teachers in the classroom and Im happy hes decided to stay on with us. Its been exciting to get Mike what he's needed over the years, w hether its been financial or moral support. Weve had the kind of relationship that if he needed to pound on my desk and ask, then he did. But he also has been very open to our suggestions. h Hovey. remember that group because-othe last second shot by Pleasant Grove that beat us out in the first WELL, GARDNER isnt exactly wilted grandpa yet, but after 30 years of basketball, he believes he's had enough. That's why he decided to officially announce his retirement last week after his '85 team lost to Clearfield in the JIM DICKSON One of Mike's dearest friends PERHAPS one of his more joyous highlights was coaching his I He will be missed school basketball." DUNCAN Journal Sports 4-- cagers KEITH f round. It was perhaps the most disappointing defeat I've ever experienced as a coach. It was a fluke shot that I can still see going through the basket. We had the best team in the state that year but one fluke shot put us out, said the coach. 30-fo- role-mod- GARDNER also recalls Craig Taylors senior year in which snarling injuries prevented great things from happening. The team had a great player in the likes of Royal Kennard from Farmington who broke his leg in a one on one game with his brother at home. It was happening just as the team was making a comeback through the standings and to make things even worse, the club lost Taylor a few weeks later as he breaks his ankle in warm-up- s against Jordan. Losing those two players caused the team to miss the playoffs, one of the only times during Mikes years at Davis High the club didnt make it to the playoffs. (Above) Mike and his title crew and (bclow)is against Utah as a BYU Cougar. Mike playing ROGER REID The friendship between BYUs head assistant, Roger Reid, and Gardner is also quite close. Theyve coached together, against each other and put basketball camps on together. SHORTLY after that came the Dean Hunger era which ushered in the state championship year of 1975. Gardner described that year, as totally enjoyable" and not eassy to forget." Davis upset American Fork in a televised game that year to win it all. The team has such names as Hunger, Mark Arnell. Tony Frazier, Ron Adams, Scott Starkey, Glen Toomer, Scott Mounteer and Eric Johnson. The following year Davis came back to go undefeated in league play but lost to American Fork in the finals when Ron Adams broke his leg during the game. GARDNER mentioned all the years as he talked that afternoon, mentioning hundreds of players and numerous experiences, too many to make note of here. The Brian Taylor years were Continued next page SAID REID, Perhaps the first thing that comes to my mind about Mike is his competitive spirit. He's been an inspiration to all of us in the coaching ranks because of his desire to be the best. Inch m MIKE DlUKWOR II It was Mike Duckworth and Gardner who built the Davis piog-ratogether for at least seven ot those hears Gaidncr served. I hose two played against each other in junior high but teamed together at Davis to give the Darts a nearly unbeatable combination TO KNOW Mike is to know he Gardner family hue is a spun of 1 . 1 excellence and compeuvcuess there that is hard to deny "As a coach he wa aNc to t.,ke medicore players and get tne very most they had. partly because ol his competitive nature." STAN WATTS e Mike credits much of his to coach to people like Gram Uulli-morand former 1151' coach. Stan Watts. Gardner play ed for Watts in a cougar uniform and during those years these two developed a close friendship. MIKE WAS a super kid to st.ut with because he came irom a supci family. "He was a sol id player and kid. not a flake like you get oikc in awhile. He was always dcp-- n able. That's important because a1' ter all the games and score- .u forgotten, the one th.n.i on don forget are great kids like Mike de-n- e i KENT DR AVI R Kent Draayer. like Duckworth, assisted Gardner for seven years and one thing the present Davis High head baseball coach hasn't or will ever forget, is Gardner's total intensity when it comes to coaching kids. WHETHER its basketball or fishing. Mike had to be No I Hell stay in the water till he outfishes you. Of course be'- - 'ha' ' me w; in the classmon ton the-isn't a e. s.nd better histoi- v. JL Its the ; ad "! a s.j,. e. coaehine v G Me - lie t a make no e c, a - d, some ge.e of talent." . y : . !.- - t JAY CULLIMORE Jay Cullimore served a verv successful football icrei;.- ..t High and one o! his assist, ,.;t ing that stint was Gardner MIKES A knowledgeable guy w'hen it comes to athletics, either basketball or football. We could listen to what he had to say about scouting reports with confidence. But Ive always been impressed with how' well hes supp every sports program in the s. He went the extra mile to someone elses program top notch. W'hen basketball was ovei. he wanted them in spring sports or something organized." - JOHN ROBISON Taking over the Davis High w ill be John Robison w ho has served under Gardner for seven seasons now I OWE Mike Gardner my career. When I came to Dav is H igh seven years ago he gave me responsibilities to help nn career grow. My admiration for him is as sweet as anyone's could be. "Mike takes pride in the program because of w hat it did for him program . when he was playing here. Hes been trying to repay back the things it did for him He dies nt have a selfish streak in him." John Robison Will Take Over Davis Job KAYSVILLE - As quickly as Mike Gardner left, John Robison t' to take was 'johhny-on-the-spo- his place. BECAUSE of Robison's poise, ability and the confidence the Davis High administration has in him, he was quickly appointed to become the next Davis High head basketball coach as a new era begins. Gardner retired from coaching basketball last Friday as he announced his decision to his team tournament after their final 4-- A game. He spent 16 seasons at Davis High and decided it was time to step aside. this staff, the administration, the faculty and even the community for their desire to have kids come as special. Its maybe a dream come true for me to get the job at such a place like Davis High School. might be. "Mr. (Richard) Stevenson once told me that he would presonally see to it that every student got that chance to excell. I COULDNT be working for a finer group of people." About Gardner, Robison noted, 1 owe my career to Mike Gardner. I le gave me important responsibili ROBISON, who has served underGardnerashis head assistant for the past seven years, w ill take over as head coach immediately. Robison termed the appointment BEEN here for seven and have come to love now years IVE to this school and help them achieve whatever their desire ties that helped inv caieei glow My admiration for him is as gieal us anyone's could be." "MY HOPE now is io keep up the tradition and add io it." said the new head coach. Before coming to Davis liigil. Robison graduated from Granite High School and eventuallv Irom the University of Utah in 197 1. His trail into coaching started lit W'oods Cross for a year, live years at Bountiful High and of Course hes been at Davis High for the past seven years. |