Kodish retirement leaves huge void in local sports world

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: February 22, 2019

By Kenny Varner As the sun rose today and the sun lifted above the Mifflin and Juniata County, there was a sadness and a sense of emptiness that I felt today as I drove to work.

The local sports world had gotten a little less fun and more somber as I heard that longtime coaching legend Kevin Kodish announced his retirement after his Juniata girls basketball team fell to Huntingdon.

As coach of Lewistown, Mifflin County and Juniata basketball teams, I had the honor of being at all of his last games with those respective teams.

To say he will be missed by local fans and press alike is an understatement.

Kodish always brought a sense of fun to the game and whether in a win or defeat, was gracious in the moment.

The list of lives on and off the court has been substantial. To know that we will no longer seeing him sipping his Diet Pepsi during games or directing his players in the huddle is something that I will miss.

His demeanor in life off the court was as fun as his role as a coach. He is a fun loving person with a deep love for the local community and though it won’t be seen on the court, he will still be part of our local government, trying to help promote positive things for the people.

During his tenure, he has had numerous great athletes that have gone onto great things.

He has coached the likes of Missy Butterworth, Cher Rider, Julie Helm, Krista Gingrich (legendary Duke Star), Jenna Feathers, Logan Snyder, Jenna Craig, Jenna Cunningham, Maddie Runk, Victoria Varner and many, many more.

Not only was he a staple of the high school basketball sideline since the early 80’s, he brought his players and also the fans and media to journeys that we wouldn’t have taken if it wasn’t for himself, his players and coaching staffs.

He took us on three championship runs, two of which resulting in wins.

I also personally would like to thank him for being the one to kick start my writing career.

As a fan during the late 90’s, I followed his teams on the radio and had my emotions live and die with each shot during the two championship runs.

After the championships were won, I took my oldest daughter out in front of our house and watched the parade of cars and the school buses with the players wave to all their fans.

Watching my daughters eyes as she waved back, sent chills to my spine.

A year later, like a de ja vue moment, we watch again and I could feel the community spirit and pride as they past.

With that it inspired me to want to take my primitive writing skills and get a dream job at the Lewistown Sentinel. In the fall of 1998, I got the chance to cover the same team that just a year ago, I was following as a fan.

I owe the start of my career to Kevin and his players for where I am today.

Then in I believe it was 2003, I had the chance to sit in Press row at Hershey’s Giant Center, living a writers dream to watch his alma mater play in the PIAA championship title game.

Though the Panthers came up short, Kodish was still positive and supportive of his team and was proud of that team’s journey.

Well as your journey comes to end, I want to be a mouth piece for Mifflin County and Juniata County when I say “Thank you Kevin for everything you have done for the local girls basketball programs, for high school basketball and for our communities!

It’s been an honor and privilege to watch and cover you as a fan and reporter.

There will never be another one like you!!

Enjoy the rest of your life’s journey and especially your grandson!!

You left the your hometown sports scene a better place!

Thank you!