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Utah State basketball coach lauded at his final Big Blue Scholarship luncheon

February 24th, 2015 Posted in Sports

The Utah State University Big Blue Scholarship Fund held its final luncheon of the season on Monday, commemorating head basketball coach Stew Morrill’s retirement.

The luncheon, held at the Riverwoods Conference Center in Logan, highlighted Morrill and his 17 years of coaching.

Utah State athletic director Scott Barnes was effusive in his praise for a man who led his teams to more than 400 wins.

“You have been huge for this community and our athletic program,” Barnes told Morrill at the luncheon. “On behalf of this crowd, the entire community and Aggie nation, thanks for all you’ve done for us.”

“Thank you for putting up with me all these years,” Morrill said. “I really appreciate it. We have had some fun at these luncheons, and I hope you feel that way.”

In his speech, Morrill praised the team for the improvements it has made this year. The 16-10 Aggies — riding a four-game winning streak with four games remaining in in the season — will travel south to face the University of Las Vegas at Nevada on Wednesday.

“We were inexperienced going in,” Morrill said. “They’ve really done a good job this season.”

Approximately 130 people attended the luncheon — more than twice the number that typically attends.

Aggie Blue Scholarship Fund members and others in attendance showed their appreciation for Morrill with two standing ovations as well as comments of approval and gratitude throughout the luncheon.

Ross Peterson, an Aggie Blue Scholarship Fund member since 1971, said he appreciated Morrill’s humor and humility.

“He’s identified with the people of this community,” Peterson said, “in a way that no one else has.”

Sarah Keyes, Hannah Rose, Landon Pozernick, Erin West and Amber Farrow contributed to this report.

-mdl

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