SPRINGDALE -- Springdale Har-Ber girls basketball coach Sandy Wright resigned Thursday after 35 years as a coach, including the last 10 years with the Lady Wildcats.
Wright posted a message on her Facebook account early Thursday night, then later confirmed by text that she was stepping down as the head basketball coach but plans to continue to teach at Har-Ber.
She surpassed 500 career victories earlier this season. Wright played basketball at Arkansas, where she made the team as a walk-on. She also coached in the 7A-West at Springdale High and Bentonville. She was the coach at Springdale when the city opened its second high school and made the move crosstown to Har-Ber.
Wright's Facebook post read:
"Dear friends, after 35 years and many prayers I have decided to hang up my whistle. It's time to relax and spend more time with my family. I want to publicly thank my husband, Mark, for all the years he took up the slack at home and played Mr. Mom. We couldn't have survived without him.
"When our babies were little, they loved when mom was out of town cuz that meant they got Happy Meals for dinner. And a very special thank you to all my former players! (Including my dear daughter, Caylee). Thank you for making my coaching career so special!!! I love each and every one of you!"
Har-Ber finished 16-12 last season, including 6-8 in conference play.
Attempts to reach Springdale Public Schools Athletic Director Wayne Stehlik Thursday night were unsuccessful. Wright is the second 7A-West girls basketball coach to step down in recent weeks. Rogers Heritage coach Kevin Ramey resigned to take the athletic director position at Pea Ridge.
Sports on 04/29/2016