Former SEMO assistant Randy Curl passes away

Posted Thursday, January 14, 2010, at 10:39 PM

It made me extremely sad to to learn that former SEMO assistant men's basketball coach Randy Curl passed away Monday after a bout with lung cancer. He was 53.

Curl was on Ron Shumate's staff for the final 10 years of Shumate's 16-season tenure at SEMO, which ended following the 1996-97 campaign.

Curl, known as an outstanding recruiter, played a major role in building some of SEMO's powerhouse Division II teams under Shumate and also helping the program move into Division I.

More than being a fine coach, Curl was also a great guy who I became good friends with during his decade in Cape Girardeau. We stayed in touch even after he left the area.

Curl was really looking forward to returning to Cape in December when the 1988-89 SEMO team that finished second in the Division II national tournament was inducted into the university's Athletic Hall of Fame.

But after being diagnosed with lung cancer in August, his health declined rapidly and he could not make it to the induction ceremony from his home in Des Moines, Iowa.

Among the many things that stood out the most to me about Randy were his tremendous personality and zest for life. He was about as friendly and funny as anybody I've run into over the years. He made countless friends during his time in Cape and all will miss him, myself included.

Comments
Showing comments in chronological order
[Show most recent comments first]

Godspeed, Randy. Rest in peace.

-- Posted by irishgirl on Fri, Jan 15, 2010, at 12:24 AM

I'm going to miss Randy. He was a good friend of the family and a close friend to my Uncle who also coached with Randy at SEMO. I'll never forget him at the SEMO Basketball Camps and the emphasis he put on having fun when it came to playing basketball. I was there when he went into the HOF in 2007 and he remembered me just like he saw me the other day, not the actual 10 years it was since the last time I saw him. He will be missed.

-- Posted by semostudent08 on Fri, Jan 15, 2010, at 12:48 AM

What a sad loss. Randy was one the greatest people to be around. He was always a lot fun and respected and liked by everyone he came in cotact with.

-- Posted by Expect2win on Fri, Jan 15, 2010, at 11:12 AM

One of the greatest losses to our family is the loss of Randy Curl, a former Pine Bluff High School Zebra star basketball player and play brother. Growing up as a child, he always protected me and my brother, Tony. Everyone in Pine Bluff is extremely sad over this loss. However, I now in my heart that he is in a better place and no longer suffering. May Randy rest in peace.

-- Posted by carmenramosross on Fri, Jan 15, 2010, at 3:10 PM

Rest in peace.

-- Posted by Lottie on Sat, Jan 16, 2010, at 6:07 PM

I hold Randy Curl in the highest regard. We were teammates as 10th graders and were friends throughout high school at Pine Bluff High. He was a person of integrity and loyalty. We were all so proud of his accomplishments and achievements and pray that he is at peace. K. Tutashinda( Brian Altheimer)

-- Posted by tutashinda on Mon, Jan 18, 2010, at 5:07 PM

Marty Mishow

- Recent posts
- Archives
- Blog RSS feed

- Comments RSS feed

- Login

Hot topics

SEMO falls short at Ball State 27-10
(2 ~ 9:36 PM, Sep 2)

Don't expect Ball State to take SEMO lightly
(42 ~ 8:33 PM, Sep 2)

Lucas Nutt receives SEMO's final scholarship
(17 ~ 5:59 PM, Sep 2)

Time change for SEMO football scrimmage
(2 ~ 9:23 PM, Aug 27)

Tabb not coming to SEMO
(3 ~ 3:23 PM, Aug 26)