For ECU Swimming and Diving this past weekend would be their last home meet of the season, for head coach Rick Kobe however, it would be his last home meet in Minges ever. After 37 years Kobe has announced his retirement.
Kobe definitely left his mark on Pirate Nation. It was an emotional day as alumni he used to coach back in the early 80’s filled the stands and said their thanks for all he has done for them.
After 37 years, what will Kobe be taking away from coaching? His relationship with the athletes. “You know I’ll retire from coaching but I will never retire from the alumni. I’ve stayed in touch with all of them and I promised them I was going to get on Facebook so that part will never leave.”
ECU swimmer Will Hix gushed about his coach after the meet wrapped up.
“I’ve got to be honest with you there is nothing better than having Rick Kobe as a Head Coach.” “He is a class act and cares about this program and really cares about every single swimmer.”
The words icon, legend were floating around all day to describe the type of person he was and the impact he made on this community.
Hix had mentioned how he met up with a few of his teammates before the meet to make sure everyone was on the same page about not sending Kobe out with anything less than a successful meet and that is exactly what they did
To celebrate, well, take a look…