UBC Thunderbirds women's basketball

Last updated
UBC Thunderbirds
UBC Thunderbirds Logo.svg
University University of British Columbia
ConferenceCanada West Universities Athletic Association
Location Vancouver, British Columbia
Arena Thunderbird Sports Centre
Nickname Thunderbirds
ColorsBlue and gold [1]
   
Uniforms
Kit body thinsidesonwhite.png
Kit body basketball.svg
Kit shorts blanksides2.png
Kit shorts.svg
Home
Kit body thingoldsides.png
Kit body basketball.svg
Kit shorts goldsides.png
Kit shorts.svg
Away


Conference tournament champions
2007, 2008, 2012, 2015

The UBC Thunderbirds women's basketball team represent the University of British Columbia in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association of U Sports women's basketball. The Thunderbirds (originally known as the Thunderettes) have won the Bronze Baby a total of five times, including the first three championships, spanning from 1972 to 1974. The last two national championships took place in 2004 and 2008. Both victories took place against the Regina Cougars. In 2004, the Thunderbirds defeated the Cougars by a 60-53 mark, while the 2008 triumph resulted in a 67-46 final.

Contents

History

The 2003-04 season marked a breakthrough for Carrie Watson. In addition to All-Canadian honours, Watson also won the Canada West and Canadian Interuniversity Sport Defensive Player of the Year Awards. She would also earn a pair of university honours, capturing the Marilyn Pomfret Trophy, recognizing the university's Female Athlete of the Year, along with the Thunderbirds Performance Leadership Award. Winning the Bronze Baby National Championship Trophy, the program's first since 1974, ending a 30-year drought, Watson's efforts resulted in National Championship MVP honours. In June of 2007, Watson would become the program's first full-time assistant coach.

From 2007 to 2020, the Thunderbirds would enjoy a 152-58 won-loss mark in Canada West league play. Capturing the national championship in 2008, the program would reach the national championship game once again in 2012, settling for a silver medal. At the 2015 CIS Women's Basketball Championship, the program emerged with a bronze medal.

Retiring in 2021, Debbie Huband was the longest serving coach in the history of Thunderbirds basketball. As the Thunderbirds head coach, Huband captured three national titles (2003-04, '05-06, '07-08) and four conference championships (2006-07, '07-08, '11-12, '14-15). [2]

Season by season record

SeasonConf. RecordOverallConf. RankFinish
2019-20 [3] 16-43rd
2018-1914-620-85th
2017-18

Statistics

Individual Leader Scoring

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MIN  Minutes played
 FG  Field-goals  3FG  3-point field-goals  FT  Free-throws
 PTS  Points  AVG  Points per game
SeasonPlayerGPMinFG3FGFTPtsAvgCanada West Rank
2018-19 [4] Keylyn Filewich2060915206536918.54th
2019-20 [5] Keylyn Filewich2061216505138119.14th

International

Awards and honors

University Awards

UBC Sports Hall of Fame

  • 2016 inductee: Erica McGuinness [11]
  • 2021 inductee: Carrie (Watson) Watts [12]

Canada West Awards

U Sports Awards

Peter Ennis Award (awarded to the Coach of the Year)

Sylvia Sweeney Award (awarded to the Outstanding student-athlete)

Kathy Shields Award (awarded to the Rookie of the year)

All-Canadians

National championship MVP

  • 2007-08 Erica McGuinness, UBC
  • 2005-06 Kelsey Blair, UBC
  • 2003-04 Carrie Watson, UBC

Defensive Player of the year

  • 2008-09 Leanne Evans, UBC
  • 2003-04 Carrie Watson, UBC

Canada West Hall of Fame

Top 100

In celebration of the centennial anniversary of U SPORTS women’s basketball, a committee of U SPORTS women’s basketball coaches and partners revealed a list of the Top 100 women's basketball players. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first Canadian university women’s contest between the Queen’s Gaels and McGill Martlets on Feb. 6, 1920, the list of the Top 100 was gradually revealed over four weeks. Culminating with the All-Canadian Gala, which also recognized national award winners. [15] A total of 14 UBC players were named to the list. Although she played for Bishop's University, eventual Thunderbirds head coach Debbie Huband was also part of this list.

PlayerTeam(s)YearsAccolades
Ruth WilsonUBC1937-41
Nora McDermott UBC1945-49She coached the bronze medal winning women's basketball squad at the 1967 Pan American Games
Barb RobertsonUBC1959-64
Pauline GenzickUBC1966-69
Betty RossUBC1966-71
Joanne SargentUBC1968-73
Terri McGovernUBC1969-72
Bev BarnesUBC1970-74
Debbie PhelanUBC1970-75
Kathy Williams-ShieldsUBC
Laurentian
1969-71
1972-76
Liz SilcottConcordia
Waterloo
UBC
1972-79
Carol Turney-LoosSaint Mary's
Victoria
UBC
1973-80Recipient of the 1980 Nan Copp Award
Jessica MillsUBC1995-00
Kristjana YoungUBC2010-15

Thunderbirds in pro basketball

PlayerPositionTeam(s)YearsTitles
Jessica Hanson [16] Tipperary Knights Basketball ClubIrelandNone

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saskatchewan Huskies</span> Student athletes from the University of Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Huskies are the athletics teams representing the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The university began their athletics program in 1907 and has competed with others since 1911. They currently compete in elite inter-university competition administered by U Sports and its members, both as regions and as individual institutions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UBC Thunderbirds</span> University of British Columbia athletic teams

The UBC Thunderbirds are the athletic teams that represent the University of British Columbia. In Canadian intercollegiate competition, the Thunderbirds are the most successful athletic program both regionally in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association, and nationally in U Sports, winning 117 national titles. UBC has won an additional 21 national titles competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics against collegiate competition from the United States and 42 national titles in sports that compete in independent competitions.

The Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas are the sports teams that represent the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Alberta athletics teams have won a total of 101 national championships, including 84 in U Sports sanctioned sports, making it one of the most successful programs in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trinity Western Spartans</span> The athletic teams that represent Trinity Western University

The Trinity Western Spartans are the athletic teams that represent Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia. The university's teams are members of U Sports, and compete in the Canada West Universities Athletics Association, and where applicable, in the Pacific division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alberta Pandas ice hockey</span> Canadian university hockey team

The Alberta Pandas ice hockey team represents the University of Alberta in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association of U Sports. The team was led by head coach Howie Draper from 1997 until 2023, when Draper left to become head coach of PWHL New York. The current head coach is Darren Bilawchuk. The program has won the most Canada West conference championships with 14 and the most U Sports national championships with eight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manitoba Bisons women's ice hockey</span> College ice hockey team

The Manitoba Bisons are an ice hockey team that represents the University of Manitoba. They compete in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport athletic program. Home games are contested at the Wayne Fleming Arena in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Ottawa Gee-Gees represent the University of Ottawa in Canadian Interuniversity Sport women's ice hockey. Home games are contested at the uOttawa Minto Sports Complex, and the Gee-Gees are members of the Quebec Student Sports Federation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UBC Thunderbirds football</span> University Canadian football team

The UBC Thunderbirds football team represents the University of British Columbia athletics teams in U Sports and is based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Thunderbirds program has won the CWUAA Hardy Trophy conference championship 17 times, which is third all-time among competing teams. On a national level, the team has won the Vanier Cup championship four times, in 1982, 1986, 1997 and, most recently, in 2015. The team has also lost twice in the title game, in 1978 and 1987. The Thunderbirds program has also yielded three Hec Crighton Trophy winners: Jordan Gagner in 1987, Mark Nohra in 1997, and, most recently, Billy Greene in 2011.

Kevin Hanson is a Canadian basketball coach, who has been serving as head men's basketball coach at the University of British Columbia since 2000.

Deborah Ellen Huband is a Canadian basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1984 Summer Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UBC Thunderbirds women's ice hockey</span> UBC Thunderbirds womens ice hockey program

The UBC Thunderbirds women's ice hockey program represent the University of British Columbia in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association. The Thunderbirds have won six conference championships in U Sports women's ice hockey, most recently in 2024, and have made six national championship appearances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U Sports women's basketball</span> University womens basketball

U Sports women's basketball is the highest level of play of women's basketball at the university level under the auspices of U Sports, Canada's governing body for university sports. There are 48 teams, all of which are based in Canada, that are divided into four conferences that are eligible to compete for the year-end championship. As these players compete at the university level, they are obligated to follow the rule of standard eligibility of five years. The winning team of the U Sports women's basketball championship is awarded the Bronze Baby trophy. The championship has been played for since 1972, with the UBC Thunderettes capturing the inaugural championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saskatchewan Huskies women's basketball</span> Womens university basketball team

The Saskatchewan Huskies women's basketball team represents the University of Saskatchewan in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association of U Sports women's basketball. The Huskies have captured two national championships, winning the first in 2016, followed by a victory in 2020. Led by head coach Lisa Thomaidis, who first led the program for the 1998-99 season, she has also served as head coach of the Canada women's national basketball team. Holding the program record for regular season wins (281), Canada West playoff wins (49) and U Sports National Tournament wins (19), the Huskies have also won eight Canada West titles under her tutelage. Home games are contested at the Physical Activity Complex (PAC), which was constructed in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windsor Lancers women's basketball</span> Womens college basketball team

The Windsor Lancers women's basketball team represent the University of Windsor in the Ontario University Athletics conference of U Sports women's basketball. Having won the Bronze Baby for five consecutive years (2011–15), the most recent championship victory occurred at the 2015 CIS Women's Basketball Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carleton Ravens women's basketball</span> Womens college basketball team

The Carleton Ravens women's basketball team represent Carleton University in the Ontario University Athletics of U Sports women's basketball. The Ravens have won two national championships, in 2018 and 2023. The Ravens have also won the OUA Critelli Cup conference championship three times, in 2017, 2018, and 2023. Between 2009 and 2018, the Ruth Coe Award, recognizing Carleton University’s Female Athlete of the Year, was won by seven female basketball players. Additionally, the program served as host team for the 2020 U Sports Women's Basketball Championship, contested at Ottawa's TD Place Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calgary Dinos women's basketball</span> Canadian college basketball team

The Calgary Dinos women's basketball team represent the University of Calgary in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association of U Sports women's basketball. In 1989, the Dinos captured the Bronze Baby, awarded to the U Sports National Champions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Vikes women's basketball</span> Womens college basketball team

The Victoria Vikes women's basketball team represent the University of Victoria in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association of U Sports women's basketball. The Vikes have captured the Bronze Baby, awarded to the U Sports National Champions, a record nine times. The McKinnon Building and Gym was the former home of the Vikes, and the basketball court itself was named "Ken and Kathy Shields Court" in 2002, honouring the Vikes legendary basketball coaches. As a side note, the facility also hosted the 1993 CIS women's basketball national championships and a 1999 Vancouver Grizzlies NBA intra-squad game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bishop's Gaiters women's basketball</span> Womens college basketball team

The Bishop's Gaiters women's basketball team represents Bishop's University in the RSEQ Conference of U Sports women's basketball. The program has captured the Bronze Baby twice, achieving the feat in back-to-back years (1983–84).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2025 U Sports Women's Basketball Championship</span> Canadian university basketball championship

The 2025 U Sports Women's Final 8 Basketball Tournament is scheduled to be held March 13–16, 2025, in Vancouver, British Columbia, to determine a national champion for the 2024–25 U Sports women's basketball season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2025 U Sports Men's Basketball Championship</span> Canadian university basketball championship

The 2025 U Sports Men's Final 8 Basketball Tournament is scheduled to be held March 13–16, 2025, in Vancouver, British Columbia, to determine a national champion for the 2024–25 U Sports men's basketball season.

References

  1. UBC Colour Palettes (PDF). Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  2. Stu Walters (April 27, 2021). "Honouring a distinguished era as Deb Huband enters retirement". gothunderbirds.ca/. Retrieved 2021-06-24.
  3. "2019-20 Women's Basketball Standings". canadawest.org/. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  4. "2018-2019 Women's Basketball Overall Statistics". canadawest.org. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  5. "2019-2020 Women's Basketball Overall Statistics". canadawest.org. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  6. "Team Canada delegation announced for 2019 FISU Summer Universiade". usports.ca. 2019-05-29. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  7. "Team Canada delegation announced for 2019 FISU Summer Universiade". usports.ca. 2019-05-29. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  8. "SPORT BC ANNOUNCES AWARD WINNERS AT THE 52ND AWARD GALA". viasport.ca. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
  9. Aaron Martin (2016-04-04). "UBC's best honoured at 95th annual Big Block Awards and Sports Hall of Fame Banquet". gothunderbirds.ca. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  10. "Thunderbirds celebrate 2019 Big Block Awards Banquet". gothunderbirds.ca. 2019-04-03. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  11. Aaron Martin (2016-04-04). "UBC's best honoured at 95th annual Big Block Awards and Sports Hall of Fame Banquet". gothunderbirds.ca. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  12. "UBC Sports Hall of Fame welcomes distinguished class of 2021". gothunderbirds.ca. 2021-04-16. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  13. "UBC Thunderettes (WBB Team)". canadawesthalloffame.org. January 26, 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  14. "Joanne Sargent (WBB | Student-athlete)". Canada West. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  15. "U SPORTS unveils Top 100 women's basketball players of the century". saltwire.com. March 8, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  16. Wilson Wong (2020-07-31). "Jessica Hanson to start professional career in Ireland". gothunderbirds.ca. Retrieved 2021-04-18.