Basketball Manitoba Podcast

Today, on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Bob Town. He graduated from Churchill High School and played at the University of Manitoba, where he was an All-Canadian and Captain of the team in 1972. His excellence on the court led to his selection for the Canadian National Team in 1972. Over the following five years, he represented Canada on the international stage, participating in prestigious events like the Pan Am Games in Mexico City, the World University Games in Moscow, and the 1976 Montreal Olympics. He also played for the St. Andrews Super Saints, where he achieved two national championships and was recognized as a Tournament All-Star four times. In 1996, he was inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame and in 2009, the Manitoba High School Sport Hall of Fame. In 2007, the 1976 Olympic Team was inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message

Today, on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Dean Favoni.  Dean is the Varsity Boys basketball coach at Dakota Collegiate, a role he’s held for over 30 years.  He’s coached many of the province's Top 10 players, and his team won the high school Provincial Championship in 2002.  He has been named the MBCA Coach of the Year and coached with the provincial team and the centre for high performance.  His most recent success has been the fundraising and creation of a state-of-the-art $1.5 million multi-sport complex, which includes an outdoor basketball in honour of the great Dale Bradshaw. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message

Today, on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Reid Kenyon.  He has been officiating for over 30 years and is one of 4 Manitoba’s who has held a FIBA international official’s card.  He has officiated in 14 U SPORTS National Championships and numerous international competitions around the world, including the USA Dream Team at Madison Square Garden. He has been the head assignor for the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association (WMBA) since its inception in 1997.  He is the current President of the Manitoba Association of Basketball Officials (MABO) and was awarded Sport Manitoba Official of the Year in 2015 for outstanding officiating achievements. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message

Today, on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have a unique guest, Mr. David Asper. Many of you may have heard that name before and are surprised because you didn’t know he played basketball. Well, he hasn’t. David is a prominent Winnipeg businessman and lawyer. He is best known for his significant community contributions and entrepreneurial ventures. He’s served significant roles as Chair of the Asper Foundation and Dean of the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law. He is a Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for community service and was Appointed Queen’s Counsel in Manitoba. He is a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bomber Hall of Fame, Class of 2017. His list of activities and accolades is vast. However, he is joining us today to share the story of how he brought the Winnipeg Sea Bears and professional basketball back to Winnipeg. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message

Today on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Niyah Becker. She attended Vincent Massey Collegiate in Winnipeg before transferring to the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA) in Ontario. Niyah represented the Manitoba Provincial Team, claiming two Bronze Medals for the province. She played college basketball at the University of Utah in the PAC 12 for 3 years and then played her senior season (times 2 due to Covid) at Wake Forest University in the ACC. She’s represented the Canadian National Team at various stages since the age of 16. Currently, she is playing her first year professionally in Slovenia with the ŽKK Cinkarna Celje professional basketball club, which is located in Celje, Slovenia. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message

Today, on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Simon Hildebrandt. He is currently a University of Manitoba Bison and Winnipeg Sea Bears basketball player. Last season with the Bisons was his first year, and he racked up a long list of awards and recognition.  U SPORTS Rookie of the YearU SPORTS All-Rookie Team U SPORTS Second Team All-CanadianCanada West Rookie of the YearCanada West First Team All-StarCanada West All-Rookie Team  He was then drafted first overall in the U SPORTS CEBL Draft to the Winnipeg Seabear, where he went on to win CEBL U SPORTS Player of the Year. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message

Today, on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we are changing things up a bit! We are excited to reach our 50th episode of the series, and as part of reaching this milestone, we have asked former guest Stephen Tackie to take the helm for the episode and interview our host, Darcy Coss. Darcy Coss has been a part of the basketball community for over twenty years. He was a top-ranked high school player who represented Glenlawn Collegiate and Team Manitoba at the 2001 Canada Games. He then played at the University of Manitoba for four years. After graduating, he continued giving back to the game by coaching and organizing club programs and provincial teams. He went on to become the Executive Director of the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association for six years. Most recently, he represented Winnipeg on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour as a player. He then went on to work for FIBA 3x3. He is now a private consultant and is involved in putting on basketball events all over the world. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message

Today on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Winnipeg Sea Bears Head Coach Mike Taylor. He was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and played his college ball at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He has coached in the United States, Germany, Czech Republic, England, Poland and most recently here in Winnipeg with our Seabears. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message

Today on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Pierre Dubreuil.  He began playing basketball at the age of 15 years old in his home country of France. After playing for just two years, he started coaching and refereeing, finding himself more drawn to that side of the game.  For 11 years, he coached and refereed at the pre-national level before moving to Canada in May 2018. That summer, he took over the Men's Basketball program at Providence University  Under his leadership, the Pilots clinched their first MCAC championship in 19 years and repeated as Champions this year with an undefeated season in the MCAC. Pierre has led multiple basketball camps in both Canada and France and has mentored several coaches to develop the game of basketball in his community. He has been named the 2022-23 MCAC Coach of the Year and serves as the head coach of the 15U Manitoba Provincial Team. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message

Today on the Basketball Manitoba podcast, we have Joel Coursey. Joel played his high school basketball at Steinbach Regional High School. He then went on to play at Providence University College for three seasons. During his playing career, he received numerous awards, including the MCAC All-Conference Award and was NCCAA All-Conference Honorable Mention. His passion for basketball didn't stop After he finished playing, he went on to become the assistant coach of the Providence Women's Basketball Team for one year. From there, he took over as head coach, a role he’s held now for 12 years. Under his leadership, the team has achieved numerous milestones, including winning the NIAC Championship in 2019, and he was named NIAC coach of the year. Additionally, he was named the MCAC Coach of the Year in 2023. This season he achieved a personal milestone of winning his 100th game as a head coach, with an impressive record of 63 wins and 44 losses since 2018. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message

Today on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Erfan Nasajpour. He is a Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute graduate in Winnipeg, where he won a provincial championship and was ranked the number 1 player in the province. He played for the Manitoba Provincial Team program for 2 summers. He went on to play at the University of Winnipeg Wesmen. There he was Second Team All-Canadian two timesCanada West Conference Rookie of the YearCanada West Conference First Team All-Star three timesCanada West Conference Second Team All-Star once He finished his career with all-time records with the Wesmen. 1st in points3rd in rebounds1st in field goals1st in assists1st in steals He played on the Canadian U18 National Team and the University National Team. He then went on to play professionally in Iran for ten years.  During that time, he represented the Iranian national team for two summers. He is now a Personal Trainer & Nutrition Coach, Attack Basketball Program Coordinator and head coach. Most recently, he is his wife launched "Bballerz Athletic Academy", focusing on teaching basketball to kids aged 2-10 in Richmond Hill, Ontario. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message

Today on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Marjorie Kelly.  She graduated from Daniel McIntyre Collegiate and went on to play at the University of Manitoba.  During her time there, she was a Canadian National Rookie-of-the-Year National Defensive Player of the Year Three-time GPAC Conference All-StarTwo-Time CIS All-Canadian Additionally, she was a member of the two consecutive National Championship teams with the Bisons in 1996 and 1997, and she was named a Tournament All-Star in both years.  She is a two-time Hall of Fame member, first with the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2011 and with the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 2021. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message

Today on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Rashawn Browne.  Rashawn played college basketball at New Mexico State University and then transferred to the California University of Pennsylvania for one season before returning to Canada. He played his final three years at the University of Manitoba.  During his final season in Manitoba, he led them to the most wins in school history (at the time) while playing in the Canada West Conference.  While with the Bisons, he was named… Second Team All-Canadian Canada West First and Third Team All-StarUniversity of Manitoba Male Athlete of the Year in 2019-20Men's Basketball Team MVP  After ending his university career, Browne was selected eighth overall in the 2020 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) draft by the Saskatchewan Rattlers. As a rookie playing the CEBL Summer Series, he averaged 8.5 points, 3.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds and was the runner-up for USPORTS Player of the Year. Currently, Rashawn is an assistant coach with the Manitoba Bisons and is an Advisory Board member for the newly founded Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message

Today on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Xavier Smith. Xavier is a graduate of Sisler High School and played basketball at Lakeland College before transferring to Brandon University and finally to the University of Manitoba. He played for the Manitoba Provincial Team for three summers from 2002 to 2004.  He returned to his alma mater Manitoba Bisons, to be an assistant coach from 2019 to 2021. Upon ending his college career with the Bisons in 2013, he played internationally at the 3x3 level. Since 2012, he has volunteered his time offering skill camps with community centres around the city and has been the SWISH Basketball program coordinator.  The program offers free basketball drop-in experiences for inner youth through the summer months and will see its return this coming summer after a three-year pause during the pandemic. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message

Today on the  Basketball Manitoba podcast, we have a very special guest, Todd MacCulloch. Todd is a Manitoba basketball legend.  He attended Shaftsbury High School, where he helped lead the team to consecutive championships in 1993 and 1994. He was also a member of the Manitoba Provincial Team program for four summers, including at the 1993 Canada Summer Games, where he helped lead Manitoba to a victory over a Steve Nash-led Team British Columbia. He was heavily recruited from high school and decided to play at the University of Washington.  He was named an All-Pac 10 First Team All-Star and led all NCAA Division 1 players in field goal percentage in his last three seasons. In 1999, he made Manitoba history by being selected 47th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA draft.   He played in the NBA Finals two years in a row (2001 and 2002). However, after four seasons in the NBA, he was forced to retire prematurely because of a neuromuscular disorder that affected his feet. Internationally, he represented Canada 93 times.  He won bronze at the 1995 Universiade Games   In 1999, He won Silver at the FIBA Americas championship and qualified for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. In Sydney, Canada won its group defeating Yugoslavia but lost to eventual Silver Medalist France in the quarterfinals and finished seventh. This is the last time the Men’s program has been at the Olympic Games. He rounded out his international career with a Bronze at the 2001 FIBA Americas in Argentina. He has been a great supporter of inner-city basketball programs in Winnipeg for over 20 years, with a program that has seen over 10,000 children participate that still bears his name to this day, the Todd MacCulloch Hoops School. He is a Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame member (2009), Manitoba High Schools Hall of Fame class of 2009, Manitoba Sports Hall member Class of 2014 and was inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message

Today on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Graham Bodnar. He is a staple in the basketball community.  If there is a basketball event, he will be there as a player, coach, or simply supporting in some way. He is a graduate of Providence College in Otterburne, Manitoba, where he lead his team to two MCAC Championships and two ACCA National Championships. During his time there, he was recognized as 2nd team All-Conference two times, as well as an academic All-American. He played professional 3x3 Basketball in 2014, qualifying for the FIBA 3x3 World Tour twice. Additionally, he played professionally in Japan for one season. He is a member of Canada’s Deaf National Basketball Team. He’s played in the USADB National Tournament, where he was named MVP, and his team won the Division 2 National Championship. Most recently, he participated in the Deaf Pan American Basketball Championships in Argentina. He is the current head coach and teaches at Richer School in South East Manitoba, a position he’s held for 14 years. He was the head coach of the Providence College women’s program, assisted with the men's program, and was a regular instructor at their summer camps.  Additionally, he’s coached for one year with the Manitoba Provincial Team program. Most people know him from his dominance in Sr Men’s, winning many championships over the years. However, he will remember for holding the “unofficial” record for playing on most teams simultaneously in a single season. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message

Today on the Basketball Manitoba podcast, we have Amy Barlow (Ogidan). She is the founder of the Mini-Ballers basketball program that offers an entry-level basketball experience for children ages 1-8.  Amy graduated from Oak Park High School, where she was recognized as one of the top players in the province. Additionally, she played for the provincial team for three summers.  She was selected to the invite-only Nike All-Canada Camp, which hosted 50 of the top female basketball players from across Canada. After graduating, she was recruited to play at the University of Winnipeg, where she was recognized as… Canada West Rookie of the Year in 2007-08CIS All-Rookie Team in 2007-08Canada West Second Team All-Star in 2010-11 She played for the Canada Basketball National Development Team in the summer of 2008.  After playing, she went on to coaching and teaching.  She coached at Maples Collegiate, as well as a coach in the TAP program and was the head coach of the 15U girl's Manitoba provincial team in 2014 and was selected as a guest coach for Canada basketball women in the national team training centre. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message

Today on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Emily Potter.  Emily is currently a member of the Canadian National Team program and a professional basketball player currently playing in Greece.  She graduated from Glenlawn Collegiate in Winnipeg, where she won a provincial title and was ranked as the number 1 player in the province. She’s played for the Manitoba Provincial Team for three years.  She then went on to play at the University of Utah, where she graduated from the program as the first player in school history to record more than 1500 points, 1000 rebounds and 200 blocks in their career.  Additionally, She was ranked in the Top-5 in PAC-12 history in shots blocked and top-15 in total rebounds.  She was named to the PAC-12 All-Conference team in her Sophomore, Junior and Senior seasons.  She has been part of the Canada Basketball National Team athlete pool since 2012, playing for the Cadet National Team and, most recently, at the 2019 Pan American games in Peru.  She’s played professionally in Poland, the Czech Republic, Greece, and Mexico. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message

Today on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast we have Manny Aranez. He is the Founder and Commissioner of the Philippine Basketball Association of Winnipeg (PBA). The league was founded in 2001 with just seven teams and now features more than 114 teams with 14 divisions from youth to senior.  The league's mission is to assist youth in our community to discover their potential in playing the sport of basketball. He was elected Commissioner of the Filipino Basketball Association of North America from 2014-18. Manny is a Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame member Class of 2021. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message

Today on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Randy Kusano. Randy has been coaching for over 45 years and is considered one of the most successful high school coaches in Manitoba.  Randy is a graduate of Glenlawn Collegiate, where he went on to play at the University of Manitoba. He was part of the 1976 University of Manitoba men’s basketball team that won the Canadian National Championship. After graduating, he went on to coach at Oak Park High School for 34 years, where his teams made 15 final fours, won 3 Provincial Championships, and amassed over 800 wins.   He was an assistant coach with the men’s program and an assistant and co-coach with the women’s programs at the University of Manitoba.  He’s coached the boys and girls Manitoba Provincial teams, winning two bronze medals at the Canada games and Canada Basketball Nationals. After retiring from Oak Park, he joined the Basketball Manitoba staff as a high-performance coach and development coach, a role he currently holds. He is a winner of the Basketball Manitoba Mike Spack Lifetime Achievement Award.He’s been Manitoba High School Athletic Association coach of the year.He is a Manitoba High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame member, Class of 2016.He is a Sport Manitoba Hall of Fame Member Class of 2011.And is a two-time Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame member, Classes of 2011 and 2021. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basketball-manitoba/message