NAPPANEE – Former NorthWood High School girls basketball coach Steve Neff is recovering after suffering a stroke on Saturday.

Neff, who retired from coaching the Black Swish program following the 2013-14 season, was golfing with friends Saturday when he became ill. According to NorthWood athletic director Norm Sellers, Neff’s family credits the Nappanee EMS and Fire Department for their quick action in providing medical assistance to him on Saturday.

Neff is currently recovering in Elkhart General Hospital, where he is in “good” spirits according to Sellers, who spoke with Neff’s daughter on Monday. Neff was moved out of the hospital’s ICU on Monday.

Neff spent 37 years as the NorthWood girls basketball coach and was a longtime assistant football coach for the Panthers. His 653 career wins ranks second all-time among girls basketball coaches in state history.

Neff, a 1969 Wakarusa High School graduate and member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, guided NorthWood to 24 sectional and 10 regional championships. His 1999 team, led by Amy Zercher, Natalie Will and Carol Duncan, won the Class 3-A state title.

Sellers said that Neff’s family asks that persons respect his privacy during his recovery.

Persons wanting to send cards or well wishes to Neff should send those to NorthWood High School in care of the Athletic Department, according to Sellers. The address is 2101 North Main Street, Nappanee, 46550.