Chargers basketball teams net array of BCCAA awards
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February 28, 2008
As the Camosun Chargers men’s and women’s basketball teams board the bus today en route to the British Columbia Colleges’ Athletic Association (BCCAA) Provincial Basketball Championships in Prince George, it’s clear that they have much to celebrate.
In addition to finishing the season with a first (women) and third (men) place ranking heading into the playoffs, the Chargers head coaches and six of their student-athletes have netted a slew of BCCAA All-Star and Coach of the Year awards.
Chargers head coaches Gord Thatcher (men) and Brett Westcott (women) were awarded the revered men’s and women’s BCCAA Coaching Excellence Awards for their 2007-08 achievements.
“I’m very pleased with the results. This is the first time that the Camosun basketball teams have earned both the men’s and women’s coaching excellence titles in the same year. Both Brett and Gord are very deserving of this recognition. It’s a true reflection of their dedication and commitment to the programs and the student-athletes,” stated Recreation and Athletics Coordinator Graham Matthews.
For Gord Thatcher, who announced his retirement last week, the award is a three-peat (he won the award previously in 2003-04 and 2005-06). Thatcher’s outstanding leadership has also been recognized at the national level, as demonstrated in 2005-06 when he earned the esteemed Canadian Colleges’ Athletic Association (CCAA) Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year award.
"I am truly humbled by getting this award,” stated Thatcher. “Quite frankly, I believe that there are more deserving candidates in our league. I take the relationships that I have with my coaching peers very seriously and I'm touched and honored that they would support me for this award. The award is a reflection of what our entire team has been through this year, what we had to overcome and the work that was put in. I would especially like to thank our assistant coach Jordan Mottl who has been extremely loyal and who I have had to lean on heavily this year because of personal issues," added Thatcher.
The award is also quite an honor for first-time recipient and first-year head coach, Brett Westcott, who credits much of his success to his team members, coaching staff and fellow head coach, Gord Thatcher. "We have been fortunate to have a group of young women who have worked hard since September and improved over the season,” said Westcott. “Coaches do not get recognized with honors unless their teams do well so this award is clearly a team award and one which reflects upon the effort the players have put out all season. Obviously, to get the recognition from the other coaches in the league in my first season coaching at this level is probably most gratifying reward.”
"I have also been lucky to get great support and involvement from the rest of our coaching staff,” added Westcott. “Pat Griffin, Nate Boersen and Courtenay Parks have played a significant role in the success of the team this season and together we do a good job of countering each other's strengths and weaknesses. The support of Gord Thatcher from the men's program has also been extremely important in our success this season. Off-court, we have succeeded in creating a community awareness of Camosun basketball with our summer camps, skills academy, Tipoff Dinner and Future Stars elementary tournament. People in Victoria now know Camosun basketball exists and we hope this awareness helps to keep the program successful for years in the future.”
A total of six All-Star and All-Rookie honors were recently awarded to Camosun basketball student-athletes. Included on the men’s side, were third-year forward Jeff Krawetz (Second Team All-Star) and second-year guard Jeff Spoor (First Team). For his outstanding performance, Spoor was also honored at the national level as a Canadian Colleges’ Athletic Association (CCAA) All-Canadian – an award his brother, Chris (a Chargers alumnus) earned in 2003-04.
"Jeff Spoor is a perfect example of an All-Canadian and exactly the kind of student-athlete that this league need,” said Thatcher. “He is a tireless worker and leader, an excellent student and citizen and one of the best captains I have ever had. The work he put in over the summer to make himself a better player was incredible. I feel very privileged to have coached Jeff – he has made me look pretty good!”
A record-breaking number of Camosun women were named to the BCCAA Second All-Star Team for their exceptional skills and dedication, they included: second-year guard Kate Carlson, third-year post Ashley MacKay and second-year forward Jill Proudfoot.
First-year forward from Mt. Doug, Carmen Lapthorne, earned a spot on the BCCAA All-Rookie Team – the newest award to be presented by the league.
The BCCAA and CCAA awards will be presented to the Camosun student-athletes and coaches at the Chargers Annual Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 10.
Contact
Graham Matthews
Recreation and Athletics Coordinator
Phone: 250–370–3601
matthews@camosun.bc.ca
Last updated: January 21, 2010 3:39 pm
