Leading off today: As usual, late March is bringing news of some personnel changes across the state as coaches decide to call it a day — or have the decision made for them.
One such instance took place at Albany CBA this week as Ron Kuhl found out he will not be brought back to coach hockey next winter. Principal David McGuire and first-year AD Rich Scully gave him that news during the end-of-season performance review, The Times Union reported.
Kuhl, who won a national junior college title as coach at Hudson Valley CC in 2001, leaves with a 69-54-11 record in five seasons.
"I loved CBA and I planned on being there a long, long time," Kuhl told the paper. "The parents and the players in the program have been absolutely tremendous. I have the utmost respect for the administration, faculty and staff. I did not dispute what it said. What would be the point? There was already a lack of trust. I'm still stunned at what happened."
Kuhl would not divulge specifics of the review, but did say a couple of references regarding him were "pure speculation." Scully declined comment.
Meanwhile, Bill Hopkins said he is stepping down as boys basketball coach at Corning East following a 6-12 record in his ninth season.
"I actually came to the realization probably toward the middle of January, I realized that it’s just not going to work," Hopkins told The Corning Leader. "Either the message is getting stale or it’s just not working right. I’ve had this feeling before and you just kind of know that it’s time to leave."
Hopkins, 56, has coached at some level for 34 seasons. He retired from his duties as a physical education teacher in January.
Changes in store for ESG: A recent change in the eligibility rules will make it possible for some athletes to participate in the scholastic division of the Empire State Games one more time even if they have already graduated from high school.
The rule revision says an athlete who is still 17 years old as of Aug. 31 of that year can compete in the scholastic division. That's immediate good news for some athletes in
