BASKETBALL FOCUS
Kolodziej steps down at Buffalo Grove
John Leusch
Follow @DHJLeusch
Updated 2/28/2020 5:49 PM
In his eight seasons as the Buffalo Grove girls basketball coach, Steve Kolodziej emphasized the importance of his teams feeling as a family.
Now, the head of Buffalo Grove's student success, safety and wellness division, Kolodziej is going to spend more time with his family.
Kolodziej resigned from his girls basketball post on Friday.
"It's been an amazing 14 years in the program (eight as the head coach)," he said. "My decision is based solely on what's best for me and my family.
"There's not a better time for me to focus on my own "team."
Kolodziej's basketball teams compiled a 122-117 record in his tenure.
He led BG to Mid-Suburban East championships in 2016 and this past season when the Bison tied with Hersey. He won Class 4A regional titles in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
"I have three young daughters (ages 7,6 and 3) and an amazing wife who need a dad/husband," Kolodziej said. "And a dad/husband who doesn't want to see these precious years go by.
"It's an emotional roller coaster and this decision was not necessarily easy. However I couldn't be more thankful for the relationships this game has given me."
Kolodziej sent his gratitude to Bison girls athletic director Matt Myers and BG assistant principal/student activities division head Mark Schaetzlein.
"Eight years ago, they took a chance on me," said Kolodziej, a former standout quarterback for Schaumburg High School who led the Saxons to the 1999-2000 state football championship game. "I owe it all to them."
Kolodziej said he will miss the relationships with the athletes and using basketball as a microcosm of life.
"At the end of the day, it's the connections to the students and affording the girls I've coached to be great role models and positive influences for my three daughters," he said.
Buffalo Grove High School
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