UNews - UN Court

Horns women's basketball adds recruits

trevor.kenney — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 17:25:31 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge women’s basketball head coach Erin McAleenan has announced the signing of five incoming recruits for the upcoming Canada West season.

Joining the ‘Horns for the 2013-14 season are local products Mariah Miller and Larsyn Webster, as well as Sara Simovic (Nanaimo, B.C.), Kendra Lee (Courtenay, B.C.) and Erin James (Calgary, Alta.).

During her first season at the helm of the Pronghorns women’s basketball program, McAleenan led the team to its first double digit win season since the 1994-95 season. The Horns will look to take steps forward with the help of this talented new crop of student-athletes.

Miller comes to the U of L after a successful high school career with the Catholic Central High School Cougars, where she was a multiple Southern Alberta High School Basketball League (SAHBL) all-star. During her senior season, Miller finished fifth in SAHBL scoring with 15.7 points per game and was named a league first team all-star. She was also a second team all-star in her grade 11 season.

At 5’10”, Miller will also provide some versatility for the ‘Horns with her ability to play both guard and forward and enters her collegiate career with elite level experience with the Provincial and Canadian Centre for Performance (CP) programs. McAleenan was the head coach for the Alberta U17 team last summer for which Miller played.

A true student-athlete, Miller was on the honour roll throughout her high school career.

“We are thrilled to have the commitment of a local student-athlete such as Mariah,” says McAleenan. “Her athleticism, size and ability to shoot the ball will all be an asset to our program.”

Also named a SAHBL first team all-star last season, Webster joins the ‘Horns after being a vital member of the Cardston Cougars 4A Provincial Championship team. As the Cougars’ starting point guard, Webster averaged 11.2 points in 14 league games and was the second leading scorer for the Cougars.

“We are very happy that Larsyn will be joining our program this fall,” says McAleenan. “She is another local student-athlete with a strong work ethic and is committed to putting in the time outside of practice. Larsyn’s ability to shoot the ball and create for others are some of the strengths she adds to our program.”

Vancouver Island Provincial MVP Sara Simovic will also joins the ‘Horns backcourt this season after a stellar senior campaign at Wellington Secondary (Nanaimo, BC). After averaging 22 points, seven assists and six rebounds a game in her final high school season, Simovic played in the B.C. High School All-Star game in Langley.

She also comes to the ‘Horns with vast elite level experience as part of B.C. Provincial teams from the U14 program up to the U17 age group.

“We are very pleased to have Sara joining our program this fall; she has a high basketball IQ and is a very hard worker,” says McAleenan. “Sara’s determination to be successful will definitely add a lot to our program both on and off the court.”

Another Vancouver Island standout who is making the trip east is G.P. Vanier Secondary guard Kendra Lee. In addition to averaging 26 points per game last season, she also set a new single game points record for the Vancouver Island tournament, scoring 44 points in a game.

Lee has shown the ability to be equally successful in the classroom making the honour roll throughout high school.

“Kendra’s ability to shoot the ball will really add depth to our offense as we move to the long FIBA 3pt line this season,” says McAleenan. “She has very good basketball game sense, and is a really hard worker. Kendra demonstrates all of the qualities we look for in our student-athletes and we are thrilled that she has chosen to become a Horn.”

Bishop O’Byrne point guard Erin James rounds out the 2013-14 ‘Horns' recruiting class and will be a dynamic member of the ‘Horns back court. James co-captained her Bishop O’Byrne team to a seventh place finish at the 4A Provincial tournament, while averaging more than 10 points and assists per game.

Another solid student in the classroom, James made the honour roll in both grade 11 and 12.

“Erin is a very well-rounded young lady who brings a strong work ethic and lots of energy to our program,” says McAleenan. “Her ball-handling abilities and her court-sense make her a great addition to our backcourt.”

The ‘Horns open camp this week and see their first non-conference action during the first week of October with a three-game tournament at Queen’s ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. The Canada West season kicks off the first weekend of November.

Horns bolstered by Kodiak recruits

trevor.kenney — Tue, 28 May 2013 16:02:17 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns head coach Mike Hansen has begun re-tooling the men's basketball roster with the signing of a pair of ACAC all-stars from the Lethbridge College Kodiaks.

Hansen announced the signing of southern Alberta products Rob Olsen and Jared Baker on Monday afternoon, wlecoming a pair of players whom Hansen previously coached at Lethbridge College during the 2009-2010 season. Olsen and Baker then embarked on their two year missions for the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints. This past fall, both returned to the Kodiaks program and did not miss a beat, finishing one-two in team scoring.

Both Olsen and Baker have also excelled in the classroom, with each being named CCAA Academic All-Canadians this past season.

Olsen, a 6'1" guard from Cardston, Alta., finished fifth in South Division scoring averaging just over 19 points per game and was named an ACAC first team all-star, while shooting 49.6% from the field and over 47% from behind the arc. He also added 6 rebounds per game and 2.39 assists.

Prior to joining the Kodiaks, Olsen starred for the Cardston Cougars and was named the Southern Alberta High School Basketball League MVP in his final season (2008-09).

"Rob is an incredible talent and an outstanding young man," says Hansen. "I believe Rob is the best player to come out of Cardston since his uncle and former high school coach Ken McMurray. Ken was an all-Canadian for the Horns and I'm confident that Rob will have the same success with us."

Hansen adds that Olsen is also very accomplished off the court and represents the ideal of the Canada West student-athlete.

"Rob represents everything we look for in a recruit, he was not only an all-star, but a CCAA Academic All-Canadian. He is a character kid and will be a great ambassador for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge."

A Raymond, Alta., product, Jared Baker was named an ACAC second-team all-star this past season and averaged 15 points per game for the Kodiaks, while adding just under 6 rebounds and 3.13 assists per contest.

In high school, Baker was a two sport athlete, winning provincial titles for the Raymond Comets in both football (2008) and Basketball (2009). He led the Southern Alberta High School Basketball League in scoring in grade 11 with 24.1 points per game and was named league MVP in 2007-08.

"I'm very excited to be coaching Jared again," says Hansen. "He is such an incredible competitor and is willing to do whatever is needed for a team to be successful.

"He has evolved from being a shooter to an all-around player. Jared has a high basketball IQ and the success he's experienced playing for Todd Heggie's Raymond teams shows in the way he carries himself. His CCAA Academic All-Canadian also demonstrates that Jared expects excellence for himself."

The men's basketball team will look to round out its 2013-14 recruiting class in the coming weeks.

Team support goes a long way

trevor.kenney — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 22:04:57 +0000

Maybe it's her background as a Pronghorns women's basketball player, but
Dr. Lorraine Beaudin (BEd '89, MEd' 98) likes to think of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge community as a team.

"We all have a responsibility to the people around us," she explains, drawing experience from her time on the hardcourt. "We need to work together in order to be successful and that means giving of ourselves for the betterment of the group."

Currently the assistant dean of field experience in the U of L's Faculty of Education, Beaudin first started giving back to her university as an undergraduate student.

"I played basketball as a student and in my final year, I took on the role of assistant coach," says Beaudin, who was part of the team that won bronze at nationals one season. "Coaching was harder than playing in lots of ways but it allowed me to give back in a concrete way to something that was important to me."

Dr. Lorraine Beaudin recognizes that not everyone has the opportunity to pursue a university education.

The lesson stuck with her long after the basketball season ended and Beaudin has been a strong supporter of Pronghorns women's basketball ever since.

"My time as a student-athlete at the U of L had a huge impact on my life," says Beaudin, who still keeps in touch with many of her former teammates and stays connected to the program by volunteering at Pronghorns alumni events. "It created opportunities that I simply wouldn't have had otherwise."

She recognizes that not every student is given the same breaks she was.

"We sometimes assume that everyone in Alberta has the chance to earn a university education, but unfortunately that's not the case. My kids have friends who can't afford to go to university," she says, pointing out that many students who are fortunate enough to attend university depend on student loans and part-time jobs to make ends meet.

For Beaudin, these difficulties emphasize the importance of Supporting Our Students (SOS), an annual campaign that brings faculty, staff and retirees together to support student awards.

"It's fantastic that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community comes together to support this cause," says Beaudin, who is a longtime SOS donor and an enthusiastic volunteer.

While Beaudin shows her support for Pronghorn Athletics, she emphasizes the importance of helping students from all walks of life and encourages all faculty and staff to give to an area that is important to them.

"Together, we are providing support for students who might not be here otherwise. As an educator, I can't think of a better gift than education," says Beaudin, who remains committed to creating opportunities for students both on and off the court.

For more information on SOS or to make your gift today, please visit www.uleth.ca/giving.

This story first appeared in the April 2013 edition of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Legacy of leaders will live on with Horns' culture

trevor.kenney — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 21:26:23 +0000

Athletic programs often talk about creating a culture and a unique identity that defines the ideals and goals of the organization. In many instances, that's all it is – talk. For the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's basketball team, fifth-year seniors Derek Waldner and Julian Spear Chief-Morris embody Horns' culture.

"They have been cornerstones of transformational change in our program," says head coach Dave Adams. "We went from pretenders to contenders in the time that they were here, and I cannot say enough about the sacrifices that both of them made to push the program to where it is now. Anything that's happened in the program in the last few years has been built on the backs of these guys."

While each of them took different paths to the Horns' program, and each battled through his own adversity, it was fitting to see them walk off the court together in triumph, checking out of their final Canada West game to a standing ovation from the home crowd, a victory well in hand.

"It's really nice in life, because you don't see it all the time, when people will put in the work and then get rewarded for it and that's happened for both guys," says Adams.

Derek Waldner, left, won the majority of these position battles over the course of his five-year career with the Pronghorns. Photo by Paula Gorman

Neither of the two had an easy road to success.

Waldner, an Okotoks product, admits that the U of L was really the only Canadian Interuniversity Sport program to recruit him out of high school and that he had no promises or expectations about what his role would be when he arrived on campus.

Spear Chief-Morris began his career at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Victoria. A local high school star at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, he chose to head west to play for the nationally-renowned Vikes, but after two seasons in Victoria and an invitation from Adams to come back to Lethbridge in hand, he returned to his roots.

He subsequently had to sit out a transfer season and then early into his first year with the Horns, suffered a devastating knee injury. A year later he was back on the court but it really wasn't until the last few months of his senior season that Spear Chief-Morris was able to play to his abilities.

"I didn't really have basketball in mind when I was recovering, I just wanted to be a healthy person again because I spent a whole summer not being able to run, not being able to jump, having to learn how to walk again," he says. "I just decided I'd worry about getting healthy first and in the end I decided I wanted to play again."

All the while, Waldner was emerging from obscurity to become one of the best rebounders in the country and one of Canada West's top post threats. A double-double machine (double figures in both points and rebounds), he would eventually set the all-time rebounding record at the U of L and lead the CIS in rebounding his senior season.

"It was the goal for me when I came out of high school," says Waldner. "My coach, Sam Aiello, when I graduated he told me to go get that record, because Nick Baldwin, who had the record before me, was his product as well."

The Horns flourished with both Waldner and Spear Chief-Morris in the lineup, but it wasn't only court success that defined their time in blue and gold. Waldner, a biochemistry major, is a four-time Academic All-Canadian, while Spear Chief-Morris, studying urban and regional studies, has achieved All-Canadian status three times.

"I'm a competitive person and anything I do I want to be the best at, so walking into the classroom is the same thing. Why not try and be the best at what you do?" asks Spear Chief-Morris. "That's why I push myself in the classroom, if I'm going to do something I'm going to do it well."

Julian Spear Chief-Morris was a mentor both on and off the court to the next generation of Pronghorns. Photo by Paula Gorman

While he doesn't tout himself as a role model for First Nations teens, he recognizes that his success both on and off the court can serve as a positive motivating factor for the Aboriginal community.

"I don't think I've ever looked at myself as a role model but now that I'm getting older, I've been put in situations where I've been confronted with that," he says. " I think I definitely do serve as a role model in some respects to some of the kids out there on the Reserve. I'm really just trying to live my life the right way, so if people look up to me, that's great."

For Waldner, combining the rigors of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ with athletics was never a question, it's always been a focus.

"It just takes a little discipline, it takes staying in and studying instead of going out with your buddies some times," he says. "Time management is the biggest aspect, and having basketball and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ at the same time has really taught me that life skill where time management will never be an issue for me."

Both Spear Chief-Morris and Waldner have plans to pursue graduate studies, and even may look at professional basketball opportunities should it fit in with their academic ambitions. More than anything though, the two are not content to revel in their glory days as Horns basketball players, knowing this is just a stage in their life plan.

"I'm just excited for what's next," says Spear Chief-Morris. "My time here was wonderful but all things pass and I'm looking ahead."

It's that attitude that Adams says will live on well past their time in uniform.

"What a blessing in a program when you have two guys that not only come into practice and set the work ethic example on the court, but then they back it up by what they do in the classroom as well," says Adams. "Imagine how blessed we are to have a locker room where that is the voice of leadership. It's a fabulous culture that those guys will leave as a legacy in that locker room."

GET THE FACTS

· Both players had their parents in attendance for their final CIS game

· Waldner had 252 rebounds this season to set a new Horns' single-season record and lead all CIS players. His career total of 874 rebounds is also a Horns' record and the fifth highest total in Canada West history

· Both players credited Horns alumni for truly representing Horns culture. "I know that I've played for two universities now and the support, not just from the community but from the alumni is not comparable," says Spear Chief-Morris. "It really is a blessing to have a group of people who honestly care about who you are and your success."

This story first appeared in the March 2013 issue of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Journey complete for Mackinnon brothers

trevor.kenney — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 17:15:22 +0000

UPDATE: The Mackinnon brothers completed their journey and dipped toes in the Atlantic Ocean on July 16 before completing their journey back in Comox with a fundraiser barbecue on July 19

Scott Mackinnon (BA '07) understands that the world is so much greater than the space within which he exists. It's a point he undoubtedly learned while watching his once vibrant grandfather slowly lose his battle with Parkinson's disease, and one that was driven home while maturing as a young man at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Now, as he cycles with his three brothers (Sean, Ross and Ryan) across Canada in memory of his late grandfather Neville 'Baha' Munro, he's reminded of that lesson every day.

"I always told my brothers what a supportive, passionate, loyal and aware community Lethbridge was," says the former Pronghorns men's basketball player and native of Comox, B.C. "It's just pretty cool that they are able to experience that first hand now. My experience here at the U of L definitely led me towards doing something like this – to be more socially aware and more conscious of something way beyond myself and something more important than myself."

Biking for Baha was an idea hatched between the brothers years ago. Their grandfather had wanted to cycle across Canada after being diagnosed with Parkinson's at age 60. A special bike was built for him by his eldest son (their uncle) but his declining motor skills never allowed for the trip to take place. In 2003, Baha passed away but his dream lived on.

"The last few years, riding across Canada became a big interest of mine and it became a huge conversation piece between us," says Mackinnon. "We started talking about it but things always seemed to get in the way. This year, all of a sudden, all four brothers fell into a place where there was time to do it and so here we are."

The quest to cross Canada and raise funds for Parkinson's research began May 19 on the B.C. coast and passed through Lethbridge May 30-31. The goal is to dip their tires in the Atlantic Ocean sometime in July (they finished July 16), all the while raising one dollar for every kilometre they cycle, as well as an additional dollar for the distance Baha would have covered for a total of $40,075. The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research is the recipient charity.

Coming through Lethbridge was a homecoming for Mackinnon and an opportunity to show off the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community he grew so close to during his time as a Pronghorn.

"Coming through Lethbridge was the best thing that could happen to us," he says. "We're pretty inexperienced touring cyclists so once we got through the mountains, Lethbridge was a key morale boost for us. It's been so good to see Travis Grindle and Eoin Colquhoun, coach Dave Adams and a lot of the people I really respect and look up to. The effort they put in to helping us, we're all taken aback by it."

The group spent two nights in Lethbridge, participated in an evening fundraiser, met kinesiology professor Dr. Jon Doan, toured his lab and learned about his work with local Parkinson's patients.

The generosity and open arms that greeted the group was exactly what he expected.

"I absolutely loved the U of L because of the small community," says Mackinnon, who went on to earn a bachelor's degree in education at Queen's ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and just completed his first year of teaching at an international school in Manila.

"I loved how you would be walking through the halls here and everyone would say hi. You have the small class sizes, everyone was friendly, and on the court, the crowds and the community support that you get here is amazing. You just couldn't ask for a better place to go to school and I would recommend to anyone to go here."

The group has now completed its journey, which is chronicled on their blog (bikingforbaha.weebly.com). As well, CBC Halifax created this video upon their arrival.

For Mackinnon, as much as the ride is personal, it continues to drive home the universal lesson he learned long ago.

"I've thought about my grandfather on this ride more than I have in a long time and it's one of the best things about this," he says. "It's really refreshing what an influence he had on our lives and what an inspiring man he was. It's also allowed me to learn so much. Ignorantly, I didn't realize how many people were affected by Parkinson's and it's really cool to be able to know there's that support network out there and that we can help towards finding a cure, towards something that can help these people cope with this terrible disease. It's been very eye opening."

GET THE FACTS

• The Biking for Baha team was greeted by a group of local cyclists as they made their way into Lethbridge. The Lethbridge Lodge provided them with two nights accommodation, while Backstreat Pub and Coco Pazzo's chipped in meals

• Mackinnon played for the Horns over two different stretches, from 2000-2002 and again from 2004-2007, scoring 862 points in 85 career Canada West games

• A true blue Pronghorn, Mackinnon and his brothers were given Horns basketball shirts by head coach Dave Adams. "I'll always be a part of Horns nation," says Mackinnon. "I love this place. If I could get a teaching job in southern Alberta I'd come back in a second."

• Mackinnon will return to Canada to look for a teaching job after one more year in the Philippines

• To donate to Biking for Baha, visit www.michaeljfox.org or www.bikingforbaha.weebly.com

This story first appeared in the June 2012 issue of the Legend. For a look at the entire issue in flipbook format, follow this link.

Tollestrup to join Horns

trevor.kenney — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 21:05:40 +0000

The 2012 Southern Alberta High School Basketball League (SAHSBL) most valuable player is coming to play for the Pronghorns women's basketball program.

Jackie Tollestrup, last season's southern Alberta MVP, committed to the Horns and head coach Erin McAleenan earlier this week.

"We are thrilled that Jackie has decided to stay home and be a Pronghorn this fall," says McAleenan. "After having been a multi-sport athlete, I am really looking forward to the possibilities with her potential now that she has committed to focus on basketball."

"Jackie is a very hard working and talented basketball player. Her relentless energy and competitiveness on the court will definitely add a lot to our program."

Tollestrup, a 5'8" guard from Raymond, just completed a successful high school career with the Raymond Comets. She led the Comets to a perfect 14-0 record in the Southern Alberta High School Basketball League, and will be quite well acquainted with her new home at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge as the Comets won the 4A Zone championships on the 1^st Choice Savings Centre floor this past spring.

The Comets went on to claim the bronze medal at the Alberta Schools Association Athletics (ASAA) provincial championships by beating Spruce Grove Composite in the third place game. She was also part of the provincial bronze medal winning team in 2010.

During her senior season, Tollestrup led the SAHSBL league in scoring, averaging 20.7 points per game. She was also third in league scoring in grade 11, averaging more than 16 points per game.

The Pronghorn women's basketball team will open training camp Aug. 27 and tip-off the Canada West conference schedule Nov. 4 by hosting the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Winnipeg.

Mackinnon and brothers honouring Baha

trevor.kenney — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 21:55:38 +0000

UPDATE: The Mackinnon brothers completed their journey and dipped toes in the Atlantic Ocean on July 16 before completing their journey back in Comox with a fundraiser barbecue on July 19

The Mackinnon brothers, left to right, include Ryan, Ross, Scott and Sean. Here they are in Dr. Jon Doan's kinesiology lab after a brief tour of the facilities.

The quest to cross Canada and raise funds for Parkinson's research began May 19 on the B.C. coast and passed through Lethbridge May 30-31. The goal is to dip their tires in the Atlantic Ocean sometime in July (they arrived July 16), all the while raising one dollar for every kilometre they cycle, as well as an additional dollar for the distance Baha would have covered for a total of $40,075. The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research is the recipient charity.

Coming through Lethbridge was a homecoming for Mackinnon and an opportunity to show off the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community he grew so close to during his time as a Pronghorn.

The group spent two nights in Lethbridge, participated in an evening fundraiser, met kinesiology professor Dr. Jon Doan, toured his lab and learned about his work with local Parkinson's patients.

The generosity and open arms that greeted the group was exactly what he expected.

The group has now completed its journey, which is chronicled on their blog (bikingforbaha.weebly.com). As well, CBC Halifax created this video upon their arrival.

For Mackinnon, as much as the ride is personal, it continues to drive home the universal lesson he learned long ago.

GET THE FACTS

· The Biking for Baha team was greeted by a group of local cyclists as they made their way into Lethbridge. The Lethbridge Lodge provided them with two nights accommodation, while Backstreat Pub and Coco Pazzo's chipped in meals

· Mackinnon played for the Horns over two different stretches, from 2000-2002 and again from 2004-2007, scoring 862 points in 85 career Canada West games

· A true blue Pronghorn, Mackinnon and his brothers were given Horns basketball shirts by head coach Dave Adams. "I'll always be a part of Horns nation," says Mackinnon. "I love this place. If I could get a teaching job in southern Alberta I'd come back in a second."

· Mackinnon will return to Canada to look for a teaching job after one more year in the Philippines

· To donate to Biking for Baha, visit www.michaeljfox.org or www.bikingforbaha.weebly.com

This story first appeared in the June 2012 issue of the Legend. For a look at the entire issue in flipbook format, follow this link.

McAleenan looks ahead as new Horns coach

trevor.kenney — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:40:06 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge welcomed Erin McAleenan as the new Pronghorn women's basketball coach recently, the 10th head coach in the program's history.

"We are really excited to have a dynamic young coach whose vision will help move our program forward," says Executive Director of Sport and Recreation Sandy Slavin. "

McAleenan comes to the 'Horns from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta Pandas, where she spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach. She also brings a wealth of national and provincial team experience to the program.

She was an assistant coach with the Canadian Developmental National team at the Pan Am Games in 2011 and an apprentice coach with the Canadian Senior National team in summer 2011.

As well, McAleenan has coached in the both the Alberta and Ontario Basketball Associations with numerous teams, including the head coach of the Alberta U17 girls last summer and this coming summer.

"I am thrilled about my appointment as head coach," says McAleenan. "I am looking forward to working in such a strong basketball community and for a university that prides itself of personal connections and community engagement."

"My first priority will be to meet with the current student-athletes and prepare our vision for next season."
Prior to joining the U of A Pandas as an assistant, McAleenan spent five years teaching and coaching high school basketball at Trinity College School, a private school in Port Hope, Ontario.

The Sussex, New Brunswick native also played at the university level, playing for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Acadia from 1999 to 2003.

"I am extremely excited to have been given the opportunity to be a CIS head coach, as I value the role that we have in developing student-athletes both on and off the court," says McAleenan. "I believe that with a strong work ethic, passion and commitment, we can be the program that excels in developing future leaders in the community while being committed to excellence on the court."

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Women's Basketball Coaches
Glen Alexander (1972-73)
Jack Lilja (1973-77)
Donna Roman (1977-79)
Louisa Zerbe (1979-86)
Cal O'Brien (1986-87)
Trix Baker (1987-91)
Dori Johnson (Rodzinyak) (1991-2000)
Shannon Finnie (2000-04)
Donna Branch (2004-12)
Erin McAleenan (2012- present)

Blake finds balance in burgeoning musical career

trevor.kenney — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:01:38 +0000

Ask Pronghorns men's basketball guard Terrence Blake who he looks to emulate and Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Chris Paul or Rajon Rondo won't be on the list. No, Blake is more likely to drop names such as Lil Wayne, Drake and Akon, because as much as basketball is his game, music is his passion.

"Music started for me when I was in junior high," says Blake, who just recently hit the urban rap charts with his first single, Ima Get Paid. "I've always written, done poetry, and I started turning it into music in high school. From there it's just been a passion I've had and continued on with – it'll probably never stop."

Terrence Blake and Evrlove are making waves in the rap industry

In fact this could just be the start for Blake, who literally came out of nowhere to stun the rap world. Working with his team, Evrlove Music (Corey F and Artafacts), he'd had a number of singles mixed and produced locally. But if the fourth-year marketing major has learned anything during his studies in the Faculty of Management, it's how to promote himself.

"I've been blessed in a way," he says. "Through networking and just talking to people I got my demos out and really I was just looking for feedback. As an artist, I just wanted to learn about the business but within 24 hours of getting my music into the hands of the right person, I was flown out to Los Angeles and started in the studio."

Working with Larry Dee Entertainment (www.larrydeeentertainment.biz) and Grammy Award winning producer Bob Horn (Brandy, Akon), they put Ima Get Paid into the mainstream and it hit big.

"It's still getting a lot of rotation on record stations down in the States," says Blake, who's single is available on iTunes. "The first few weeks it got a lot of buzz and ended up on the Rickett's chart based out of New Jersey. I actually was the only non-signed artist to a major label who made the chart."

He says he draws his inspiration from everywhere, and by simply observing people.

"You could say I'm inspired by Lil Wayne, I admire his talent and most of all how he built something from nothing. He is not only an artist but a businessman as well," says Blake.

Ima Get Paid can be taken literally as a song about making money and Blake says that's fine if people connect with it that way, but to him, it's so much more.

"My intention on this song was the idea that in life we all chase dreams and have aspirations," he says. "This song was more like an anthem stating that I will get my goal, I will make it, I will live the way I want to, Ima get paid."

Blake in action with the Horns. Known as a lock-down defender, he is a valuable role player and veteran presence. PHOTO by Paula Gorman.

An Edmonton native, Blake was highly recruited out of high school and spent two seasons at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary before suffering a devastating ankle injury. After recuperating, he looked south to the U of L, joining the Horns this past fall when good friend Dominyc Coward moved across the river from the Lethbridge College program.

"The atmosphere around here is great, there's a ton of support, I've noticed it's a pretty tight knit community and I've enjoyed it a lot," he says, admitting there was a phase of culture shock moving to a smaller city.

"It's been a positive adjustment though because I've found more time for myself. There's less things to distract you around here so you kind of focus a little more. I think it's definitely helped me with my schooling."

Blake is considered a valuable role player with the club, and played an integral role in the team achieving its best regular season in 12 years. He's earned the respect of his teammates and his coach.

"He's a guy that's mature and had a lot of things that have happened in his life to bring him to this point," says Horns head coach Dave Adams. "The thing I love about Terrence is that he always has a perspective and always brings something into the program that's good for everybody."

As far as his off-court activities, Adams pleads ignorance.

"As a 54-year-old white guy who lives in Lethbridge, Alberta, (the non-demographic for his music) I really have no comment on his music," he laughs. "I have no idea whether it's good or bad but they tell me it's very good."

How good remains to be seen – and heard. Blake will likely see some touring opportunities this summer, opening for bigger acts in California, Ohio and the southern U.S.

"I want to just keep creating buzz and following my passion, and maybe it'll lead to a co-sign or a sign with a label, just a chance to keep doing what I'm doing."

After that, he intends to get back on the court and help the Horns return to the Canada West playoffs. Whether his future is in music or business, he's confident he's setting himself up well either way.

"If I'm not signed by the time I graduate, I'm looking to do some public relations work or some direct marketing, maybe point of sales," says Blake. "I love marketing, really all aspects of business. I love to talk in front of people, so hopefully if I'm not in front of the microphone, I'm in front of a crowd doing something with that."

This story first appeared in the April 2012 issue of the Legend. To view the entire issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Rollingson made his mark

trevor.kenney — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:59:00 +0000

Once a fiery competitor with a burning desire to win on the court, Dr. Tim Rollingson (BSc '99) has turned in his hardwood high-tops for the white coat and drill of a dentist's office.

Utilizing that same passion and discipline that made him successful on the court, Rollingson turned his focus to establishing a similarly successful dental practice, located only minutes from the campus he called home for five years.

"I developed an understanding of the discipline that is required to become an expert in a field," says Rollingson about his time playing for the Pronghorns men's basketball team. "Spending hundreds of hours on a task became routine, rather than obscure."

Rollingson was the featured speaker at last spring's Pronghorn annual awards banquet, and it is very apparent how important his time with the Pronghorns still means to him. Reminiscing about his playing days, he delivered a message about discipline, establishing lasting friendships and giving back to the Pronghorn family that had given him so much.

Former Pronghorns guard Tim Rollingson in action against the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan.

"I developed true and life-long friends. Competing together creates priceless bonds and memories," says Rollingson. "Even after not seeing a teammate for several years, you still feel as close a bond to that person as you ever did. One of my favourite things to do is go out with a teammate and his family to catch up and reminisce about old times."

A southern Alberta product, Rollingson walked onto the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge campus in 1992 with an impressive list of credentials. He was the three-time Southern Alberta High School Basketball League scoring champion and two-time league MVP with Winston Churchill High School in Lethbridge, and still maintains the league single season scoring average record of 40.5 points per game.

During his freshman season with the Horns, he did not disappoint, becoming the first Pronghorn men's basketball player to win the Canada West Rookie of the Year award.

After a two year Latter Day Saints mission in Belgium, Rollingson returned to the program, captaining the 'Horns for his final three seasons. He left the program as the all-time Pronghorns assist leader with 374. While he now sits second on the career assist list, he remains among the top 15 in a number of other career categories, including hitting 150 three-point baskets, the second most in team history.

After completing his bachelor of science (biochemistry) at the U of L, Rollingson earned his doctor of dental surgery degree at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta in 2004 and returned to Lethbridge to begin his successful practice.

Rollingson enjoys continually learning and keeping up to date with the latest dental techniques and has completed many continuing education courses. He continues to study at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, and the Scottsdale Center for Dental Learning.

Now a father of four and a prominent member of the Lethbridge community, Rollingson has become a fixture in the stands at not only Pronghorn basketball games, but the hockey arena as well. He's commonly known as the "official dentist" of Pronghorn Athletics.

While his support for the current crop of Horns athletes is exceptional, it is not the only way in which he is impacting the community. As a coach and mentor, Rollingson is now passing on his expertise and passion to the next generation of basketball players, coaching girls' teams in the Lethbridge minor basketball system.

"I feel a true sense of being a member of the Pronghorn community and a need to pay back to the program, at least in some small part, for some of the benefits that I received," he says. "I truly enjoy my continued association with "my" team."

This story first appeared in the January edition of the Legend. For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

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