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Former Huskies coach Radovic passes away
SASKATOON,
Sask. - Huskie Athletics is saddened by the loss of former men's
soccer head coach Jovo Radovic at the age of 74.
Radovic, who was at the helm for the Huskies from 1997-2003, died
Monday after a lengthy battle with cancer. He is survived by his
wife Nevenka; son Nenad; daughter Svjetlana Mestrovic;
grandchildren Boris, Lea and Nicolas Mestrovic; daughter-in-law
Daria Krstic; son-in-law Darko Mestrovic and many nieces, nephews
and friends.
"It was a great opportunity to work with Jovo," said current Huskie
head coach Bryce Chapman, who served as an assistant with Radovic
for two seasons. "He was a great man on and off the field. I
learned a lot with working with him. Our program is saddened by the
loss. Jovo is a special part of Huskie soccer history."
Born and raised in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia Radovic was a student of
the game, playing soccer for ten years. From 1966-70, he was a
part-time coach for first division teams in Sarajevo and
Zeljeznicar. He then spent two years (1970-72) on the coaching
staff for the Yugoslav Olympic team and was a full-time coach for
the Borac soccer team in Travnik. He also held the position of head
coach for the Yugoslav Junior Representative Team and had an
administrative role as the President of the Bosnia Herzegovina
Soccer Federation. Radovic and his family moved to Canada in the
early 1990s and he quickly became involved in the Saskatoon soccer
community.
In his first season with the Huskies (1997-98), Radovic was
honoured as the Canada West Coach of the Year. He also led the
Huskies to their only two-playoff appearances - 1999-2000 and
2003-04. Each time the Huskies won a silver medal.
Radovic is respected and remembered by colleagues and former
athletes for his expertise. His coaching philosophy was focused on
developing soccer knowledge, the spirit of the sport and physical
and mental health of the athletes. He retired from coaching after
the 2003 season due to illness.
The funeral service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at St. John's
Anglican Cathedral (816 Spadina Crescent East) in Saskatoon. A
reception will follow in the church hall. The Huskie men's soccer
team will honour Radovic at an upcoming home game.
Source:
Nicole Betker, B. Journ.
Sports Information Director
Huskie Athletics
University of Saskatchewan
