Twelve years after he became the first head coach of Kwantlen Polytechnic University鈥檚 men鈥檚 basketball team, Bernie Love has decided to step down.

Love, who has coached the Kwantlen Eagles for nine of those 12 years, will resign at the conclusion of the current B.C. Colleges Athletic Association season, Kwantlen announced Wednesday afternoon.

鈥淭his is solely a positive life decision and one that I am really excited about and looking forward to,鈥� said Love, adding the team鈥檚 current 1-11 (won-loss) record didn鈥檛 play a factor in the decision. 鈥淚t was by no means easy but one that I am at ease and completely comfortable with.鈥�

Love served as head coach of the Eagles for the team鈥檚 first five seasons, leading Kwantlen to its first of three consecutive playoff appearances in just its second full season at full BCCAA members, before departing for an assistant coach鈥檚 position at the CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sports) 2004. He returned to Kwantlen in 2007, and will coach the final six games of the current season before stepping down, admitting to falling short of his goal of winning a provincial championship with the 性视界传媒 university.

鈥淜wantlen always has and always will hold a special place in my heart,鈥� he said. 鈥淎lthough I wasn鈥檛 able to accomplish what I wanted on the court, the friendships I have made on and off the court and the relationships that I have garnered with all my players, present and past, will be with me for the rest of my life.

鈥淚 haven鈥檛 retired from coaching but I will be taking some time away. I am looking forward to being back on the sideline someday.鈥� 鈥�

Elise Le Brun, director of athletics and recreation, praised the contribution Love made to the Kwantlen basketball team.

鈥淏ernie has invested almost a decade into the Eagles program, and his passion for Kwantlen basketball will always be remembered,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e wish him all the best for the future.鈥�

Le Brun said a search for a new head coach is already underway, with the job expected to be filled by early next month.鈥↖nterested candidates are encouraged to visit the Kwantlen Eagles Athletics website at: www.kwantlen.ca/eagles