Published: July 25, 2008 09:33 pm         

Terre Haute South girls hoops coach resigning

TERRE HAUTE — Next girls basketball season, Terre Haute South Vigo High School likely will have four senior starters and one key sophomore reserve from its 2007-08 team that won 20 games.

But there is one significant component the Braves won’t have back from last season.

Their coach, Alan Maroska.

After serving 26 seasons as the school’s girls varsity basketball coach — winning a Class 4A state championship in 2002 and compiling a 398-190 record in the process — Maroska submitted a letter of resignation to the Vigo County School Corp. this week.

Maroska, 55, plans to remain at South as a swimming instructor. His resignation will be presented to the Vigo County School Board during its meeting Monday night.

“I have enjoyed the many years of coaching girls basketball at South Vigo High School and am very proud of the great accomplishments of the students over the years,” he said in his letter, which he read over the phone to the Tribune-Star on Friday.

“As you are aware, coaching takes many, many hours. Over the years, I have not been able to spend as much time with family as I would have liked. It is time for me to redirect my focus; therefore, please accept my resignation as head girls basketball coach at South Vigo effective immediately.

“I have appreciated the opportunity for many years of coaching in the Vigo County School Corporation. I wish the best of luck to my successor and to future teams.”

Maroska mentioned the 2001-02 state champions, who included Reicina Russell and Melanie Boeglin, and the 1990-91 “overachieving” Braves, who reached the semistate and were led in scoring by Mandy Miller, as two of his favorite teams.

His ’01-02 team finished with a 25-2 record, which helped him earn the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association’s Class 4A Coach of the Year award.

The Braves ended up 21-2 and 20-6 in ’06-07 and ’07-08 respectively, but last season’s squad lost to Martinsville 60-52 in the championship game of the Class 4A Northview Sectional.

“I think his record speaks for itself,” county schools Superintendent Dan Tanoos said of Maroska. “Watching some of his teams play was a joy … I think he’ll go down in [Vigo County sports] history as a coach with a fine record and someone who was dedicated to his program.”

“He’s had a great career at South,” South principal Chris Mauk reflected. “Obviously, he’s been very successful. He’s made Terre Haute South a well-respected program throughout the state … but I respect his wishes. I wish him the best.”

Assuming Maroska’s resignation is accepted Monday, Mauk said the school board will post an opening for the position.

Previously an eighth- and ninth-grade girls basketball coach at Honey Creek Junior High School, Maroska became South’s girls basketball coach in 1982-83. He replaced Mark LaGrange.