Mike Koval, a long-time coach, educator, and businessman who started and ran Sugar Bush Golf course in northeast Ohio, died May, 6, 2020 in a Veterans nursing home in Daytona Beach, Fla. He was 95 years old. The cause was of natural causes and he passed peacefully in his sleep.
Mike was born in Bellaire, Ohio on August 24, 1924. His parents were Austria-Hungary immigrants. His father, John, emigrated to this country in 1914 with mother Mary following in 1921. He graduated from Shadyside HS in 1942 and earned a BS and MA from The Ohio State University. Mike was also awarded an Honorary Masters Degree from Brown University. Mike joined the Army in 1943 and served in Europe. Mike’s professional career included; a teacher and coach at Crestwood HS in Mantua, Ohio, an Associate Professor and coach of football, wrestling, and golf at Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio, Intramural Director and coach of wrestling and football at Brown University in Providence, RI, and Athletic Director at Saginaw Valley College. He started Sugar Bush Golf course in 1963 and later served as the manager and president. Mike resided in Deltona, Florida for many years after his retirement from Sugar Bush.
Surviving are his four children: Ana Beth Koval (Morris,IL), M. Fred Koval (Crested Butte, CO), Mary Koval (Garrettsville, OH), and Michael Koval (Garrettsville, OH).There will be a celebration of his life, at Sugar Bush Golf course this summer when it is prudent to do so. If you would like to make a gift in his honor, direct it to the Hiram Athletic Department, giving at Hiram.edu.
