"It's one of those things that's part of life," said former Suttons Bay basketball coach Ken Hunter, who told his players Thursday that he was stepping down for medical reasons. The team responded with a lopsided win over Buckley on Friday, Hunter's last day on the bench.

The former collegiate coach plans to remain a part of the Suttons Bay program he adopted upon moving two years ago to Leelanau County, but from a seat in the stands. In his first year as varsity coach, Hunter has led the young Norsemen to a 7-7 record.

Hunter’s innate ability to mentor student-athletes combined with a sheer devotion to them and the sport of basketball made him a quick favorite in Suttons Bay. After helping the 2006-07 squad in an unofficial capacity, he started putting in long hours at practices over the summer after being named head coach.

“These last nine months, he’s put in as much time as any coach I’ve seen at Suttons Bay,” said Todd Hursey, who knows a little about devotion to the Norsemen program. He coached Suttons Bay for nine years, ending in 2006, and led the squads to a string of winning records and Northwest Conference titles. Hursey had been working as assistant coach until Hunter was forced to step down; now Hursey will step back in as head coach.

Hursey has come to admire the ability of Hunter to analyze his squad’s play, then quickly determine how to make improvements.

“He knows so much about the game,” said Hursey. “He would watch a play happen, and he would just see everything.”

Hunter helped organize a summer basketball league for prep players in Leelanau County and then led Suttons Bay players to its title.

“He’s worked tireless hours with individuals on shooting. For five or six days a week, he’d often put in three or four hours a day. Anyone who would call and say, ‘Coach, will you help me work on my shot?’ Ken would be there for. The players are going to miss him. I’m going to miss him,” said Hursey.

One of those players on the learning side of Hunter’s efforts was senior co-captain Andy Wheelock. Most days over the summer, Hunter would be talking basketball and Wheelock would be absorbing all he could.

“He stressed the basics of shooting, using the same muscles every time. I remember him saying about 10 (tips) every day,” said Wheelock.

Hunter tried to keep his words light when informing the team of his need to step down, even threatening to come down out of the stands should the Norsemen start on a string of turnovers. Wheelock remembered how he felt when told the news.

“At first I was really disappointed. But you knew it had to be serious because you know how much he loves basketball. To have a college coach at his level put up with us — that’s pretty awesome,” said Wheelock.

Hunter, who did not disclose the nature of his illness, still plans to travel with his wife, Jacquie, on a 16-day European cruise down the Danube River in April. The Hunters spent five years traveling to the corners of the world — including Sweden, China, New Zealand and Australia — after his retirement from coaching in the New York area. He spent 16 years at the helm of the men’s basketball team for Long Island University.

But while building a home in the Suttons Bay area, he gravitated back to basketball in general, and in particular toward Norsemen basketball.

Hunter said the time required of coaching is repaid in relationships built with players that last long after seasons have ended. Last week out of the blue a former player — “a 6-5 kid,” as described by a coach who by nature looks at even longtime friends as guards, forwards or centers — who heads a major insurance company called Hunter to talk. Recently, he had lunch with another former player who is now CEO of a fragrance company.

“That’s where my satisfaction is. That’s where my gratification is,” said Hunter.

The Suttons Bay team will attempt to win its remaining six regular season games out of respect for their former coach, Wheelock said.

“He’s a gentleman. You don’t see that any more. He’s like you want to be when you get to be that age,” said Wheelock.

Hunter says departure leaves 'sad void in my life'

In Thru the Hoop, the Suttons Bay boys’ basketball newsletter, varsity coach Ken Hunter released the following statement about his decision to resign:

“I have announced the decision to vacate my position as varsity basketball coach effective Saturday, February 2. A lengthy and painful judgment was predicated upon a need to address personal health issues. Having worked extensively and very closely with many of the players during the past 7 months will surely leave a significantly sad void in my life and clearly compounds an already emotional undertaking.

“I wish the very best for Suttons Bay High School, the basketball program, players and parents. Needless to say, I am indeed grateful to all for their vigilant and ongoing support throughout the past year. My real hope is that I have been able to, in some small way, impact the players in a positive and meaningful manner that well essentially serve them well in the years yet to come.”