Scott Clark, the long-time head coach at Simon Fraser, will move to Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops for the 2010-11 season.

Scott Clark, the 15 year head coach at Simon Fraser, has stepped down in favour of a move back to the Okanagan, and a chance to try and build a competitive program at Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops. 

Citing a wish for a return to his roots as a player in Kelowna in high school, Clark said, “To some degree, it's a bit of a lifestyle change . I live in Langley and sometimes the commute (to Burnaby) can take a bit of time. It could be 30 minutes, or it could be an hour and 30 minutes. I don't think that's going to be an issue in Kamloops. And in the summer time, I can go and golf with my dad for the day, or we can meet at a lake between Merritt and Kelowna and we can fish together for the day."

After guiding the 2009-10 SFU team to their best finish in a long time (14-4), Clark was expected to lead the Clan as they move to the NCAA Div. II competition of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference this fall.  There is some speculation that the big job of raising scholarship funds in excess of $100,000 was not something which appealed to Clark.  Also, with the Wolfpack, Clark will likely be boosting his salary, which, reportedly, was not among the highest in Canada West, despite his longevity at SFU.

The big challenge at TRU remains the job of recruiting athletes to the smaller Kamloops school, so that the Wolfpack team can compete with the likes of UBC, Calgary, Victoria, and Trinity Western.  This spring, for example, Calgary signed both Josh Wolfram and Tyler Jaroszuk, twin 6’9” forwards from South Kamloops HS.  Clark looks on this move as a fresh start, and a chance to improve on a program record of just 11 wins against 96 losses in 5 seasons of Canada West play.

‘Horns U.S. Recruit Promises a Physical Presence

Crediting the help of former ‘Horns’ captain Matt Bekkering, cousin of the Dinos’ brothers Ross and Henry, Adams calls Kamps ‘exactly what we want.’  Kamps’ comments in an interview published in the Lethbridge Herald Tuesday show a brash enthusiasm about his opportunity in Lethbridge. “I am the Dutch Nightmare,” he said. “And I am going to leave a trail of broken noses on this court. You will see bodies flying and babies crying.”

Playing his high school ‘ball in  Michigan, Kamps played 13 minutes a game in his rookie year in Casper, but only 10 in his 2nd season under a new coach.  “Abner will add a dimension of physicality on the front end for the Horns next season. He is a talented athlete with explosive jumping ability around the hoop, and his terrific work ethic will fit nicely into the culture of the Horns,” said Coach Adams.

Lethbridge will pair Kamps with 3rd year Okotoks product, 6’8”, Derek Waldner, in the post. The ‘Horns graduated both 7’ , Remington Stemmler, and 6’7” Rob Cooper this spring.

 

Ontario Coaching Changes Draw Controversy

In contrast to the relatively civilized coaching moves in Canada West this spring, (Gil Cheung to Brandon, Mike Raimbault to Winnipeg, and Scott Clark to SFU) the frenzy in Ontario just seems to heat up.

Following on the heels of the firing of McMaster coach Joe Raso, and the attendant choosing of sides with pro-Raso voices slamming the actions of the new Mac Athletic Director, we now have Brock University players petitioning the school administration to replace veteran coach Ken Murray.

Just 2 seasons removed from a CIS Championship by Murray’s 2007-08 Badgers, the coach is being accused of ‘verbally and mentally abusing his players’ on a relatively young Brock team which went 8-14 in 2009-10.  Rumours are flying about the role of Assistant Coach Brad Rootes, an All-Canadian guard, who was a 5th year standout on that Championship squad, in undermining Murray’s position.

The basketball scene is more heated in Ontario than, perhaps, anywhere else in the country, and the hoops community is ablaze with the pros and cons of both the McMaster and Brock situations.  In each case there have been some unfortunate comments and accusations presented through the media or on chat lines.  For the sake of the CIS in general, and the OUA and it’s schools in particular, you hope that a more civil tone prevails in the near future.

Notes ...

1. • Western Redmen grad, Eli Prochnau, a slick shooting guard, has a promise of a spot at Lethbridge Community College this fall, but is also exploring both football and basketball at Acadia University in Nova Scotia. Francis Cormier, the team’s high scorer this past season, leading the Redmen to the Alberta HS 4A crown, is hoping to play Canada West hoops, perhaps at a B.C. school in the Okanagan.
   

1. • The U of C is making a series of National Tournament bids for upcoming years. Women’s Basketball in 2011 and  2012, Men’s Hockey in ’13 and ’14, and Men’s Volleyball in ’14 and ’15.  Men’s Basketball will be hosted in Halifax for the next 2 seasons, and there are no immediate plans for UC to make a bid for that championship.  The cost of putting on a CIS Men’s Basketball Championship is higher than for these other sports.
   

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