WESMEN - Athletics

Women’s Volleyball

Wesmen Coach Diane’s Scott’s team won’t be finalized until next week, but she’s happy with the dedication her squad showed to off season training. “Most were committed to the conditioning program and some combined fun with work by playing a lot of beach volleyball,” says Scott. Scott also had herself a good summer with one of the highlights being two weeks spent coaching at an elite volleyball camp in Alberta.
“It was a women’s camp for women and all of the women coaching at the camp are former national team members,” says Scott.
Girls from both Canada and the United States trained for two weeks at Strathcona Tweedsmuir School, just south of Calgary, in a camp focusing on all aspects of the game, including how athletes should prepare themselves to ensure success.

Women’s Basketball

After try-outs last week the Wesmen Women’s Basketball team has the roster Coach Tanya McKay hopes will make a big splash in a 2003-04 CIS Women’s basketball season where the Championship is being hosted by the University of Winnipeg.
McKay had a chance to evaluate some future talent this off-season as she coached the Manitoba Provincial Midget team in two tournaments. The under-15 squad finished fourth in the Midget National Championships held in Winnipeg and picked up a bronze medal in the Western Canada Summer Games.
“It was fun, these were young kids, when you are used to coaching older players it is good to get back to the grassroots side of things and be able to teach,” says McKay.

Men’s Basketball

Official try-outs for Coach Dave Crook’s 2003-04 Wesmen squad start this week.

During the summer Crook was the head coach of the Canadian Junior National Team, which is made up of the best under 19 basketball players in the country. In his second year at the helm, Crook led the team to a fourth place finish in the ten team Global Games tournament in Dallas, Texas in early July. The Canadians lost the bronze medal game to a Yugoslavian squad boasting three projected NBA players, with two being touted as lottery picks. Down by two with under a minute left, there was a definite chance for victory but the powerful Yugoslavian team held the Canadians off for a six- point win.
“It was a good group of guys and number of them have a good chance to go on to play for the Senior National Team,” says Crook.

Men’s Volleyball

The Wesmen Men’s Volleyball team’s 2003-04 roster will be officially set next week. This week the team scrimmages in an inter-squad at the Duckworth Centre on Wednesday evening.

Wesmen head coach Larry McKay spent the summer coaching the Men’s Junior National Volleyball team. It culminated in the World Championships in Iran in August. The under 21 team finished tied for 9th spot, but McKay believed they could have done even better.
“We played very well at times and then not so well,” says McKay. “We definitely could have finished in the top four.”
Playing in Iran was both a professionally and personally rewarding experience for McKay, who has been the head coach for the team for the past two seasons. McKay says overall the team had a positive experience but suffered from a bit of culture shock and were glad when they got the chance to explore Dubai, a very westernized country, on one of the team’s layovers in the 51 hour trip home.
“I am grateful to the University of Winnipeg to allow me the opportunity to do something like this and the experience will only make me a better coach,” adds McKay.

WESMEN NEWS
September 8 to September 14 /2003 Women’s Volleyball Wesmen Coach Diane’s Scott’s team won’t be finalized until next week, but she’s happy with the dedication her squad showed to off season training. “Most were committed to the conditioning program and some combined fun with work by playing a lot of beach volleyball,” says Scott. Scott also had herself a good summer with one of the highlights being two weeks spent coaching at an elite volleyball camp in Alberta. “It was a women’s camp for women and all of the women coaching at the camp are former national team members,” says Scott. Girls from both Canada and the United States trained for two weeks at Strathcona Tweedsmuir School, just south of Calgary, in a camp focusing on all aspects of the game, including how athletes should prepare themselves to ensure success. Women’s Basketball After try-outs last week the Wesmen Women’s Basketball team has the roster Coach Tanya McKay hopes will make a big splash in a 2003-04 CIS Women’s basketball season where the Championship is being hosted by the University of Winnipeg. McKay had a chance to evaluate some future talent this off-season as she coached the Manitoba Provincial Midget team in two tournaments. The under-15 squad finished fourth in the Midget National Championships held in Winnipeg and picked up a bronze medal in the Western Canada Summer Games. “It was fun, these were young kids, when you are used to coaching older players it is good to get back to the grassroots side of things and be able to teach,” says McKay. Men’s Basketball Official try-outs for Coach Dave Crook’s 2003-04 Wesmen squad start this week. During the summer Crook was the head coach of the Canadian Junior National Team, which is made up of the best under 19 basketball players in the country. In his second year at the helm, Crook led the team to a fourth place finish in the ten team Global Games tournament in Dallas, Texas in early July. The Canadians lost the bronze medal game to a Yugoslavian squad boasting three projected NBA players, with two being touted as lottery picks. Down by two with under a minute left, there was a definite chance for victory but the powerful Yugoslavian team held the Canadians off for a six- point win. “It was a good group of guys and number of them have a good chance to go on to play for the Senior National Team,” says Crook. Men’s Volleyball The Wesmen Men’s Volleyball team’s 2003-04 roster will be officially set next week. This week the team scrimmages in an inter-squad at the Duckworth Centre on Wednesday evening. Wesmen head coach Larry McKay spent the summer coaching the Men’s Junior National Volleyball team. It culminated in the World Championships in Iran in August. The under 21 team finished tied for 9th spot, but McKay believed they could have done even better. “We played very well at times and then not so well,” says McKay. “We definitely could have finished in the top four.” Playing in Iran was both a professionally and personally rewarding experience for McKay, who has been the head coach for the team for the past two seasons. McKay says overall the team had a positive experience but suffered from a bit of culture shock and were glad when they got the chance to explore Dubai, a very westernized country, on one of the team’s layovers in the 51 hour trip home. “I am grateful to the University of Winnipeg to allow me the opportunity to do something like this and the experience will only make me a better coach,” adds McKay.