California recruits join Horns

trevor.kenney — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:47:46 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's basketball team has solidified its back court with the signing of two American guards out of the California junior college circuit. Head coach Dave Adams recently introduced Daryl Cooper and Alex Fletcher as the newest Horns for this coming season.

The additions of Fletcher and Cooper continues the Horns overhaul this off-season, where the squad has added seven players, all with ties to winning programs. Earlier this off-season Adams secured four players from the national silver medalists Lethbridge College Kodiaks, as well as Tyson McIntyre from the Alberta 4A champion Raymond Comets.

Basketball Operations Manager Brad Karren was the first to identify Cooper and Fletcher during the California JUCO Final Four and did the majority of the leg work leading up to their visits.

"Brad did a great job identifying Daryl and Alex as two guys that would fit in to what we are trying to build here," says Adams. "We were able to work both of them out and really liked what we saw."

Cooper, a 6'1" point guard, spent the last two seasons at City College of San Francisco, where the team finished the season with a 32-1 record and won the California JUCO Championship. Cooper averaged just over 7 points per game and accumulated an impressive 2.95 to 1 assist to turnover ratio.

"Daryl is a pass first, score second point guard with incredible basketball IQ, work ethic, skill and leadership qualities," says Adams. "He will immediately address our deficiencies at the point guard position."

A 6'2" shooting guard, Fletcher is no stranger to his fellow California recruit, as Fresno City College was the lone team to beat Cooper's team last season. In both seasons in Fresno, Fletcher was a member of the Central Valley Conference champions and had trips to the California JuCo Final Four, where Fresno lost in the semifinals.

As a sophomore starter, Fletcher was a Central Valley first team all-star, averaging 11.06 points per game while hitting a remarkable 47.5 per cent of his shots from behind the arc. He also set a school record last season, hitting 12 three-pointers in a single game. An exceptional student, Fletcher had a 3.68 GPA in his two years at Fresno City College.

"Alex is an unselfish hard working blue collar basketball player," says Adams. "He shot a high percentage from three-point land and will immediately address our weakness there from last season. He will also immediately infuse an uncompromising work ethic into our locker room."

The Horns open training camp Aug. 29 and will kick off the 2011-12 Canada West Schedule Nov. 4-5, traveling to Winnipeg to face the Wesmen. The Horns home opener is Nov. 11 versus UBC – Okanagan Heat.

Stadium opening Friday and Saturday

trevor.kenney — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:42:42 +0000

The long awaited grand opening of southern Alberta's newest sports mecca is upon us as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge officially opens the Community Sports Stadium. The grand opening weekend includes a full slate of events, Sept. 25 and 26.

More than a decade in the making, the $12-million facility was constructed through a partnership between the City of Lethbridge and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge with additional funding from the Province of Alberta and extensive input from several community groups. Funding came from a variety of sources, including the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge ($4.8 million), the City of Lethbridge ($3.7 million), community groups ($300,000) and the Government of Alberta ($3.3 from its Major Community Facilities Program). The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the City will share on-going operating costs.

"This is yet another example of how we can work with the City, the Province of Alberta and many partners to make things happen in our community," says U of L President, Dr. Bill Cade.

"I am extremely proud of all the people who came together to think through the use, design and building processes that led us to this point, who believed in this idea through many challenges, and who recognize the benefits of this legacy project for future generations of athletes in our region."

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Community Sports Stadium consists of an artificial field for football, rugby and soccer, a natural practice field, a synthetic 400-metre track, track and field space, and related service buildings. The facility will also include dedicated, off-street parking, 2000-person bleacher seating, and room for expansion as user demand and funding dictates.

"When you can look across the river valley and see the stadium lights, in the night sky, I see a very real example of community spirit in action," says Lethbridge Mayor Bob Tarleck.

"Sporting events bring people together and provide an excellent outlet for the youth in our community. As well, the efforts of many people have brought a prestigious new facility to the city which we anticipate will, in turn, attract new and unique events to Lethbridge."

As the largest complex of its kind in the area, the Community Sports Stadium draws athletes and spectators from all over southern Alberta, which made the project a good candidate for funding from the Province of Alberta through its Major Community Facilities Program.

"The group of MLAs who came together to support this project represent the people of our region, and on their behalf, I am proud to congratulate the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, the City and their community partners for the massive effort it has taken to make this sports complex a reality," said Greg Weadick, MLA for Lethbridge West.

This weekend's grand opening festivities feature an action-packed series of sporting events for the whole family, including soccer, football and rugby. The 2000-seat stadium is located south of the U of L campus near McGill Blvd.

GRAND OPENING

Friday, Sept. 25

5 p.m. High School Football -- Catholic Central High School Cougars vs. Cardston Cougars (admission fee)

7:30 p.m. High School Football -- Lethbridge Collegiate Institute Rams vs. Raymond Comets (admission fee)

Saturday, Sept. 26

9 a.m. Minor Football (free)

11:55 a.m. Ceremonial Coin Toss and Welcome (free)

12 noon Pronghorn Women's Soccer (free)

2:15 p.m. Pronghorn Men's Soccer (free)

5 p.m. Pronghorn Women's Rugby (free)

8 p.m. Minor Football (free)

UNews - Raymond Comets

California recruits join Horns

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Stadium opening Friday and Saturday

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