Shortly after Nathan Macadangdang passed away, we ran a story in the Star-Bulletin. It really wasn't complete, but considering the short time permitted, it had to run. The response to his death has been enormous. He may not have truly known the impact of his work, his "mission" of coaching kids in the game he loved.

I got to talk with his wife, Patty, but my second story never ran. So here it is.

> > >

There is no bitterness if you really knew the man.

If you knew Nathan "Bigz" Macadangdang, even casually, there was always that passion for the game and that smile -- win or lose. That's only one small reason why his early departure — the former Campbell girls basketball coach died on Thursday (Jan. 22) -- has touched hearts, including those who saw his work up close.

"He had a really, really deep passion for the game and the kids he coached, as well as other kids," Campbell athletic director Sam Delos Reyes said. "That's why it's so, I wouldn't know how to tell you, it's a tremendous loss. He had a really big impact on our kids. It showed. Our kids really excelled around him."

The service will be held at Waialua Church of Latter-Day Saints on Feb. 2, 7 p.m.
Macadangdang, 45, was close with many of his competitors, including longtime coaches Gerald Lum of Nanakuli and Eric Nakabayashi, who is now an assistant boys coach at Assets.

Few knew, however, about Macadangdang's health issues. A virus attacked his heart two decades ago and progressively weakened him. When he got sick at the start of the 2006-07 season, his cardiologist recommended a heart transplant, which would've required a move to the mainland.

"He didn't want to make us go through a whole bunch of stuff," said his wife, Patricia. "He was thinking of other people, not himself."

Macadangdang is also survived by sons Jordan, 24, who recently graduated from USC, and Brandon, 22.

"He said, 'I wanna hang on and be at Brandon's wedding,' " Patricia said. Brandon Macadangdang will marry one of his father's former players, Jennifer Sweeney, this year.

Campbell's state championship run in 2007, Macadangdang's final year at the helm, was a fitting finale for his 15 years in coaching (10 as varsity coach). The trophy, though, doesn't compare to relationships. Pat Macadangdang received an outpouring of calls and messages after her husband's death.

"I really appreciate all the gestures. It shows my husband made a difference in people's lives. He was always grateful for all the support he got," she said. "Really and truly, he loved doing bonding activities for the kids, (preseason) trips and getting together for them to do things and become a tighter group. The state title was just gravy."

Macadangdang was at plenty of basketball games recently. On Thursday, shortly before he died, Macadangdang went to see Pearl City's boys play. The son of one of his assistant coaches, Mitchell Resurrection, plays for the Chargers.

"(Mitchell's) father is deployed in Iraq," Patricia said. "So he was there cheering him on."

Previous Article: Steelers dropping 10 into coverage?
Next Article: Whirlwhind February