UNews - Horns coach

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)

Peters joins Babcock with Wings

trevor.kenney — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 20:24:05 +0000

Former ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's hockey coaches are reuniting in the National Hockey League.

Bill Peters, a Horns coach from 2002 to 2005, will serve as an assistant coach with Mike Babcock after the Detroit Red Wings announced his appointment on Friday. Babcock coached the Horns in 1994, guiding the team to its only ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Cup title.

The two were linked previously as Peters was Babcock's assistant coach with the Western Hockey League's Spokane Chiefs. Peters joined Babcock's Spokane staff during the 1996-97 season and returned to the same post in 1999 – Babcock's final season with the Chiefs – where he stayed until joining the Horns.

Peters spent three seasons with the Horns from 2002 through 2005, guiding the team to a 17-59-8 record and one post-season appearance. In 2005 he returned to the Chiefs, eventually leading Spokane to a Memorial Cup title in 2008, the same season that Babcock and the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup.

Most recently, Peters was the head coach with the Rockford IceHogs in the American Hockey League. He was the longest tenured coach in IceHogs history, spending three seasons behind the bench while compiling a record of 122-97-7-14. The Three Hills, Alta. native guided the Hogs to a winning season during every campaign he coached in Rockford.

Adams introduced as new Horns coach

trevor.kenney — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:34:10 +0000

Dave Adams is the new man on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge campus – again.

Adams, the one-time Pronghorn basketball player, U of L alumnus and now two-time coach, was announced as the new head coach of the men's basketball program, Friday. It will be his second tour of duty, after guiding the team in the 2001-02 season, and brings Adams back to a place that's always been in his heart.

"It comes down to being a proud alumni, a proud former player, a proud former coach," Adams says. "I understand the essence, the spirit, the heart and courage of being a Horn. It's a calling. It's a piece I didn't see coming back into my life and yet here I am once again."

Adams, an assistant coach from 1999 through 2001, previously served as interim coach between the Dave Crook and Mike Connolly regimes. Connolly resigned as Horns head coach earlier this spring after missing the playoffs for six consecutive seasons.

"It is exciting to have Dave back with the Pronghorn family, he brings a high level of enthusiasm and energy to the program," says Executive Director of Sport and Recreation Services Sandy Slavin.

Adams is quick to state his purpose as leader of the program and doesn't shy away from creating lofty expectations.

"I would not be here today if we did not set our sights on a national championship," he says.

In his only previous season as Horns head coach, the club finished third in the division and fell in three games to the Saskatchewan Huskies in the first round of Canada West playoffs. Connolly took over the roster and qualified for playoffs the next season as well. The Horns have failed to make the playoffs since.

"It is a great honour and humbling experience to be handed the torch of stewardship for Horns Basketball," says Adams. "We are thrilled to accept the exciting challenges ahead."

In addition to his coaching experience at the university level, Adams has been a fixture on the southern Alberta Basketball scene, coaching for more than 30 years at numerous levels.

His coaching career began at Catholic Central High School immediately after his playing career, before moving on to the Lethbridge College Kodiaks in 1984. In four seasons with the Kodiaks, Adams compiled a record of 104-28 including three one silver and two bronze ACAC medals.

A Lethbridge resident for 35 years, he also has extensive experience with provincial and national organizations, coaching with the provincial program from 1993-97 and with the Basketball Canada Centre for Performance from 2004 to 2006.

As the Head Coach of the Provincial program, Adams led Team Alberta to a silver medal at the Western Canada Games in 1993. He was also at the helm for silver and bronze medals for Team Alberta at the National Championships.

As a player, Adams suited up for 76 games for the Horns, from 1976-81, having his best season during the 1980-81 season when he averaged 11.9 points per game.

"We invite all those loyal basketball supporters in southern Alberta to join us in the creation of Horns Nation, and to support the Horns as we move into the future," says Adams.

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