UNews - Donna Branch

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)

Horns lock up Veldman

trevor.kenney — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:08:34 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women's basketball team locked up its second recruit for the 2010-11 season, addressing one of its biggest needs with the addition of two-time Deep South 2A MVP Kim Veldman of Immanuel Christian High School.

A six-foot-two inch post player, Veldman averaged 19.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game in her final high school season. She also led the Eagles to their third consecutive 2A South Zone and provincial championship titles. For the second consecutive season, she was named the Deep South 2A MVP.

The top teams in the Canada West Conference all have big presences under the basket, something the Horns have lacked in previous years. Veldman will be a welcome addition to the Horns front court.

"Kim has some great skills on the perimeter and her height will allow her to contribute in the paint as well," says Horns head coach Donna Branch. "She has a very technically sound shot and knows how to crash those boards."

In 2008-09, she was also selected as the 2A Player of the Year at the Shooting Stars Showcase and has played in the Jr. Horns program for the past four years.

"She is very athletic and we are excited about her developing into a player who is a threat from anywhere," continued Branch. "Her height will also allow us to improve our defensive strategies at the CIS level."

For more on the Pronghorns, visit this link

Another Taal is in the fold

trevor.kenney — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 16:14:32 +0000

Coming off their first playoff appearance in eight seasons, the Pronghorns women's basketball team and head coach Donna Branch announced the first recruit for the 2010-11 Canada West season.

Her name and family are no strangers to Pronghorns fans as Cassidy Taal is set to join the Horns next season, following in her sister Lauren's footsteps. Cassidy and Lauren are second generation Pronghorns, as her mother and family have a long history with Pronghorn Athletics. Lynette Taal (Lilja) suited up for the Pronghorns from 1978 – 1983, and was named a CWUAA All-Star twice and Pronghorn Female Athlete of the Year in 1983. She sits tied for 14th on the Pronghorn all-time scoring list with 602 points. Lynette also served as an assistant coach with the Horns from 1990-99 and has recently returned to assist Branch.

The Lilja family was inducted into the Pronghorn Hall of Fame in 2002. Jack Lilja Sr., Cassidy's grandfather, coached the Horns Women's Basketball team for four seasons in the 1970s. Lynette's sisters both preceded her with the women's basketball team, Lorell playing 1973-77 and Leslie from 1974 through 1979, while brother Jack Jr. played both basketball and soccer for the Pronghorns.

Coming off a severe knee injury, Cassidy captained her LCI team this past season with the Clippers finishing third in the 4A South Zones, defeating Medicine Hat in the third place game and entering the provincial tournament ranked 10th. The five-foot-10 inch forward averaged 12.1 points per game during the Clippers' 12-4 season in the Southern Alberta High School Basketball League.

For more on the Pronghorns and their latest recruit, check out the Horns website.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community loses alumnus (Robson) Heidinger

trevor.kenney — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:40:36 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge community suffered a very difficult loss over the weekend as alumnus and Pronghorns women's basketball assistant coach Krista (Robson) Heidinger (BA/BEd '01) passed away suddenly.

The 34-year old Heidinger is survived by her husband, Jared (BSc/BEd '00), newborn daughter Sophie, and children Jaxson (age 6) and Grace (age 4).

Originally from Calgary, Heidinger played four seasons for the Pronghorns women's basketball program (1994-95 through 1997-98) after transferring from Mount Royal College. She played a total of 68 games as a Pronghorn before graduating and establishing a career as an elementary teacher. For the last two seasons, in addition to teaching at Mike Mountain Horse Elementary School, Robson served as an assistant coach for Donna Branch with the Pronghorns program.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects to the family on Thursday, Sept. 3, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Martin Bros. Riverview Chapel, 610 4th St. S.

A funeral service will take place Friday, Sept. 4 at 3 p.m. at the Evangelical Free Church, 4717 24th Avenue S.

As well, a trust fund has been established in the name of Jared Heidinger for donations to the family. The fund is being administered at TD Bank, 2033 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge. Donations may also be made at the U of L Athletics Department.

Horns land husband/wife team

trevor.kenney — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:47:01 +0000

Should Dave Adams and Donna Branch need to document the recruiting costs for their latest point guard acquisitions, the ledger could read, "Two for the Price of one".

Pronghorns basketball, both men's and women's, got a big boost this week when the husband/wife duo of Jeff Price and Stephanie Price (Elford) decided to suit up in blue and gold this fall. For Stephanie, it's a return to the U of L, where she played point guard for two seasons before taking a year off of school last season. For Jeff, it's back to the hardwood but in a new locale after he too took a year off following seasons with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary Dinos and Mount Royal College Cougars.

Stephanie, a five-foot, six-inch, Calgary native led the Horns in scoring during the 2007-08 season averaging 13.4 points per game, while also contributing 3.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. In 44 career games, 32 times as a starter, Stephanie compiled 429 points.

Jeff enters his fourth year of eligibility after playing with the Dinos and in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference with the Mount Royal Cougars.

During his only season with the Dinos, Price averaged 12.3 points and 5.2 assists in over 33 minutes per game and was a member of a Dino team that finished with the best record in the Central Division and hosted the Canada West Final Four in 2007-08.

As a Cougar, Price was named a CCAA All-Canadian and the Mount Royal Male Athlete of the Year for 2006-07.

"We are delighted to announce that Jeff Price will be joining the team next season. Jeff is a proven winner at every level he has played," said Horns Head Coach Dave Adams. "Jeff is an invaluable addition to the team as he allows people to play at their natural positions, and will empower the Horns to play at the pace we need to succeed."

Both programs will add to their respective recruiting classes in the coming weeks, leading up to the start of the Canada West schedule Oct. 30, on the road in Edmonton. The Horns' home opener is Nov. 7 versus the Regina Cougars.

UNews - Donna Branch

McAleenan looks ahead as new Horns coach

Related Topics

Horns lock up Veldman

Related Topics

Another Taal is in the fold

Related Topics

��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ community loses alumnus (Robson) Heidinger

Related Topics

Horns land husband/wife team

Related Topics

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community loses alumnus (Robson) Heidinger