By Ryan Turcot, Alumni work study student
The November 2, 2013 basketball alumni retro night was more than just a match-up between the WolfPack and the University of Alberta. It was a celebration of the WolfPack’s history as our basketball alumni returned to the Tournament Capital Centre to take in a game and reunite with friends and coaches.
To honour this celebration, the halftime shows of both the women’s and men’s games featured TRU Alumni award presentations to inspire current athletes as they prepared to become champions on and off the field.
Angela Booy, a UCC alumna who now coaches at the Columbia Bible College and MEI girls’ basketball program, received our “Alumni Community Leader in Sport Award” at the women’s halftime show.
“It’s wonderful to be able to use the basketball skills I learned here and take them to the other side of the court and be a coach,” Booy remarked.
At the men’s halftime show, UCC graduate and former TRU assistant coach Will Blaire received out “Community Leader in Sport Award” for his current work, coaching basketball at UCC, TRU and Brock.
“I’ve coached there (Brock) for three years,” he says, “it’s going great – I got a great group of guys and they’re working hard, ” said Blaire.
His comment on the game: “It’s good to be back – this is my first game this year and TRU looks great!”
Also featured at the men’s halftime were TRU’s 2004-2005 men’s National Champions.
The team consisted of: Head Coach Nevin Gleddie; Assistant Coaches Ryan Porter, Will Blair, and Scott Marr; Trainer Kristy Porter; Sean Garey, Jeff Friesen, Rob Haugland, Brian Smith, Brent Traxel, Braden Jones, Greg Stewart, Steve Waring, Jon Turner, Lee Johnson, Brad Van Dolah, Josh Lovestone and Rob Bergan.
A few of the team members spoke on what they are have been up to these days:
“I live in Heffley Creek and run a small business,” said Brent Traxel.
“It’s always awesome to see these guys. You know, you get to know them so well and then kind of lose track. Now I get to catch up with them and their kids – I feel like a grandpa,” he jokes.
“Right now I’m coaching my son” said Nevin Gleddie, adding that it was awesome to be able to catch up with his former teammates and their kids. “I feel kind of like a grandpa,” he jokes.
“Right now I’m just working and I’m coaching high school basketball,” said team captain Sean Garvey. “And I do regional stuff around here as well.” Other than “just” that? “Just enjoying life at this point – all retired from basketball anyways” he said.
Remembering the accomplishments and successes of all our teams allows us to continue to build on success and create winning traditions, and that is what made Retro Night more than just another game.
