The Kutztown University Athletic Department wishes to remember those members of the Golden Bear Family who have left us.  When possible, information is posted to this website thanks to the submission of information of friends and/or family.  The thoughts and prayers of the Golden Bears are with the families and friends of those who have left us far too soon.

Irv Hess (athletics director)

Doug Pollard (football, track & field)

Jody Cwik (football)

Shannon Sullivan (volleyball)

Michael Kullman (football)

Eugene (Gene) Blue (football)

John (Jack) Koury (Football)

Howie Cuff (Men's Track & Field, Cross Country)

Damian Mobley (Men's Basketball) 

Josh Wesner (son of Coach Wesner, Field Hockey) 

June 10, 2009
Irv Hess, who served as KU athletics director from 1979 until 1991, passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2009 in Williamsburg, Va.  A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 13, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Williamsburg. Condolences may be registered at www.bucktroutfuneralhome.net.

Doug Pollard (football, track & field) '72
Kutztown University hall of fame member Doug Pollard passed away on Monday, Oct. 22, 2007, due to sudden cardiac arrest.  Pollard was a four-year starter for the KU football and track & field teams, and served on the football coaching staff in the late 1970s.  He founded the powerlifting team that claimed national championships in 1981 and 1982.  Pollard was inducted into the KU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987.  He went on to become the longtime coach of track & field at Moravian.    Follow the links below to read more about Doug Pollard.
   *Moravian Website: Moravian head men's and women's track coach Doug Pollard dies
   *Easton Express-Times Website: Star Moravian coach dies
   *Information on services

Michael Kullman (football) '91
Former Kutztown University football standout and assistant coach Michael Kullman passed away on Monday, July 21, 2003, after a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).  He was a  defensive back for the Golden Bears from 1983-86 and is third on KU's all-time tackles list.  He signed a free agent deal with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1987, playing in four games during the strike that season.  Kullman returned to Kutztown from 1993-96 as an assistant football coach.

Services will be held at 12:15 p.m. Friday (July 25, 2003) at Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Home, 17th and Hamilton streets, Allentown. Mass, 1 p.m. Friday, Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. Call 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.

Eugene (Gene) Blue (football) '55
Kutztown University Athletics Hall of Fame member Eugene (Gene) Blue passed away on Saturday, September 21, 2002 after a bout with cancer.  He received All-PSAC honors in each of his four seasons at Kutztown and was the Co-Outstanding Freshman in 1951. Blue finished his career as the school’s all-time leading rusher.  He was inducted into Kutztown’s Hall of Fame in 1985 and named one of the school's Top 30 Athletes of the 20th Century.

John (Jack) Koury (Football) '63
    Information submitted by Bill Wiggins '63
    The Kutztown University football family suffered a sad loss Wednesday, July 3, 2002, when Jack Koury, Class of 1963, died after a three month bout with cancer.
    Jack, was born and raised in Pottstown, and after graduation from KU taught and coached at St. Pius HS, before moving to Honolulu, Hawaii. 
    In Honolulu, Jack taught at Damien Memorial HS for 35 years, serving as head football coach for five years and leading the Vikings to their ONLY winning record in school history. He also served as head track coach for 15 years.
    While at Kutztown, Jack played four years of football and was a member of the 1962 team that compiled a 5-3 won- loss record, the first winning season in 15 years.  In 1974, John Koury coached the FIRST EVER High School football game played at the then-brand new Aloha Stadium, a Damien victory over Iolani HS.
    Also, just this past Spring, Jack was named ILH (Interscholastic League of Honolulu) TRACK COACH OF THE YEAR for 2002. 
    A reunion of that team was held June 15th, at my house in Wilmington, and despite his battle with cancer, John flew in and attended. He was never able to return to Hawaii. He will be sorely missed by his teammates and friends.
    Prior to his discovery of cancer, he was again asked to become Head Football Coach, for the upcoming 2002 season at Damien.  Sadly, that was and is impossible.    
    KU and the world has lost a good man, coach, teacher and molder of men.

                    Sincerely, his teammate and friend,
                    Bill Wiggins, KU '63