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Kwantlen Eagles women's basketball head coach, Kevin Van Buskirk (pictured centre with team)
retires after playing an integral role in developing women's basketball at Kwantlen for seven seasons.
For immediate release
February 16, 2008
Kwantlen Eagles women's basketball head coach retires
(SURREY, B.C.) Last Friday night's game was bitter sweet for Kwantlen University College women's basketball head coach, Kevin Van Buskirk. After seven seasons with the Kwantlen Eagles; six as head coach, Van Buskirk announced that he is stepping down as head coach of the women’s program at the end of this season.
On Friday night, after a convincing win over the Columbia Bible College Bearcats (76-50), Van Buskirk informed his players that he had made the difficult decision to step down from the head coaching role so as to dedicate more time with his soon-to-be expanding family.
“To finish my final home game with a convincing victory was very special to me,” said Van Buskirk. “Kwantlen University College has treated me and my family first-class from the first day I accepted the position. I would like to thank the administration, athletics department, especially Cori [Andrichuk] and Elise [Le Brun] and past and present players for their dedication and support. I will continue to support the program that has meant so much to me.”
Van Buskirk began his coaching career at Kwantlen in 2001, as an assistant coach for the women’s program under then head coach, Jon Acob. Following the 2001-2002 campaign, Van Buskirk took over the reigns of the team guiding them to two British Columbia Colleges Athletics Association (BCCAA) provincial tournaments, and graduating four players to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) level.
"Kevin has played an integral role in developing the women's basketball program at Kwantlen,” said Elise Le Brun, Kwantlen Director of Athletics. “He has been a great leader for the women’s program, and his teams excelled both on the court and in the classroom. On behalf of the Department of Athletics we would like to thank Kevin for his contribution to Kwantlen University College and wish Kevin and his family all the best with the new addition.”
Kwantlen University College will begin the search for a new head coach in the coming weeks.
Kwantlen’s varsity athletics teams are the Kwantlen Eagles. In basketball, soccer, badminton and golf they compete in international intercollegiate leagues. For more information on the Kwantlen Eagles, visit www.kwantlen.ca/eagles
Kwantlen’s mission is to create an exceptional undergraduate learning environment committed to preparing learners for leadership, service and success. Kwantlen became a university college with degree granting status in 1995, and has a mandate to develop and offer baccalaureate degrees that will prepare students for fulfilling careers.
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For more information, contact:
Elise Le Brun
Director, Athletics
Tel: 604.599.2005
elise.lebrun@kwantlen.ca
OR
Audrey Wang
Manager, Communications
Tel: 604.599.2385
audrey.wang@kwantlen.ca