Victoria Vikes women's basketball

Last updated • 5 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Victoria Vikes women's basketball
Victoria Vikes Logo.png
University University of Victoria
Head coachCarrie Watts (1st season)
ConferenceCanada West Universities Athletic Association
Location Victoria, British Columbia
ArenaCARSA Building
Nickname Vikes
ColorsBlue and Gold [1]
   
Uniforms
Kit body thinsidesonwhite.png
Kit body basketball.svg
Kit shorts blanksides2.png
Kit shorts.svg
Home
Kit body thinwhitesides.png
Kit body basketball.svg
Kit shorts whitesides.png
Kit shorts.svg
Away


Conference tournament champions
1985, 1986, 1987
Conference regular season champions
1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000
U Sports tournament appearances
1985, 1986, 1987

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. [2] 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.

Contents

Kathy Shields, the most accomplished head coach in program history, captured 15 Canada West titles (1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000), along with eight national championships (1979, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1986, 1991, 1997, 1999). Of note, eight of her former players and assistant coaches became head coaches at the university level. Winning 320 out of 371 regular season games, Shields was bestowed the Order of Canada in 2016.

History

Beginning in 1975, the Vikes enjoyed a run of dominance that lasted until 1987. Enjoying 10 Canada West titles, along with five national titles, the 1990s would see a return to prominence. Highlighted by seven conference titles, including six consecutive, spanning from 1994 to 2000, the decade also saw three more national title performances.

Arriving at the University of Victoria in 1979, Tracie McAra would be part of a five-year run that saw the Vikes win 102 games, while losing only 14. Winning the Bronze Baby in three consecutive years (1980–82), the achievement complemented by four consecutive Canada West conference titles (1979–82).

Between 1985 and 1987, the Vikes would appear in three straight Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (now U Sports) gold medal games, winning in 1985 and 1987. During that stretch, Lori Clarke emerged as a Canada West conference All-Star and CIAU All-Canadian in every season. Winning the Nan Copp Player of the Year Award in 1987, it marked the crowning touch to her athletic sojourn at the University of Victoria.

The 1986-87 season would also mark a finale for Janet Fowler. In her final season, she averaged 17.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Earning the Most Valuable Player Award of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (now U Sports) Championship Tournament, the Vikes were 28-2 in conference play during the season.

Having played with the Vikes from 1981–85, hoisting the Bronze Baby twice, Sandy Espeseth returned for her final year in 1987-88. Leading the Vikes to a record of 18 wins, compared to 2 losses, Espeseth earned CIS First Team All-Canadian honors, averaging 12.4 points per game and a career-high 3.5 rebounds per game. Espeseth would later compete for Canada as a member of the National Cycling Team at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics.

The Vikes captured their last Bronze Baby trophy in 2003. The first time that the program hosted the National Championships was in 1993, finishing as the runner-up versus the University of Winnipeg.

After eight seasons, head coach Dani Sinclair stepped down as head coach of the Vikes in March 2020. In her last season, the Vikes were 12-8. Throughout her career, the Vikes amassed 105 wins, compared only to 59 losses. [3]

In May 2021, the Vikes hired former UBC Thunderbirds women's basketball player and coach Carrie Watts to be their new head coach. [4] Having played for Debbie Huband at UBC, Watts captured the Bronze Baby trophy in 2004. Among her coaching achievements, Watts was an assistant coach for Team Canada at the 2019 Winter Universiade.

Season by season record

SeasonConf. RecordOverallConf. RankFinish
2019-20 [5] 12-813-97thCanada West Tournament: Lost 2nd Round
(75-80 vs Saskatchewan)
2018-19 [6] 12-813-106thCanada West Tournament: Lost Quarterfinals
(vs Regina)
2017-18 [7] 17-417-62ndCanada West Tournament: Lost Quarterfinals
(vs Calgary)

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
2019-20 [8] Ashlyn Day20567127166833816.98th

Recent U Sports Tournament results

YearSeedRoundOpponentResult
1982 CIAU national championshipFirst Round
Semi-Finals
Gold Medal Game
University of Toronto
University of Winnipeg
Bishop's Gaiters
W 81-31
W 72-41
W 70-55

International

Awards and honours

Canada West Awards

Canada West Hall of Fame

Canada West All-Stars

  • 2010 Canada West First Team All-Star : Kayla Dykstra
  • 2009 Canada West First Team All-Star : Kayla Dykstra
  • 1998 Canada West First Team All-Star : Lisa Koop
  • 1997 Canada West First Team All-Star : Lisa Koop
  • 1996 Canada West First Team All-Star : Lisa Koop
  • 1991 Canada West First Team All-Star: Kelly Boucher
  • 1990 Canada West First Team All-Star: Kelly Boucher
  • 1989 Canada West First Team All-Star: Kelly Boucher
  • 1988 Canada West First Team All-Star: Karla Karch
  • 1988 Canada West Second Team All-Star: Kelly Boucher
  • 1987 Canada West First-Team All-Star: Janet Fowler
  • 1987 Canada West All-Star: Lori Clarke
  • 1987 Canada West Second Team All-Star: Karla Karch
  • 1986 Canada West All-Star: Lori Clarke
  • 1985 Canada West All-Star: Lori Clarke
  • 1983 Canada West All-Star: Tracie McAra
  • 1982 Canada West All-Star: Tracie McAra
  • 1981 Canada West All-Star: Tracie McAra
  • 1981 Canada West First-Team All-Star: Luanne Krawetz
  • 1980 Canada West First-Team All-Star: Luanne Krawetz
  • 1980 Canada West First-Team All-Star: Carol Turney-Loos
  • 1979 Canada West First-Team All-Star: Luanne Krawetz

Player of the Year

  • 2009 Canada West Player of the Year : Kayla Dykstra
  • 1998 Canada West Player of the Year : Lisa Koop
  • 1997 Canada West Player of the Year : Lisa Koop
  • 1996 Canada West Player of the Year : Lisa Koop

Coach of the Year

U Sports Awards

Victoria Vikes Hall of Fame

University Awards

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. [17] A total of 11 Vikes were named to the Top 100. [18]

PlayerTeam(s)YearsAccolades
Mary CouttsVictoria1965-67
Carol Turney-LoosSaint Mary's
Victoria
UBC
1973-80Recipient of the 1980 Nan Copp Award
Luanne Hebb KrawetzVictoria1977-82
Tracie McAra-SibbaldVictoria1978-83Played for Canada in Basketball at the 1984 Summer Olympics
Sandy EspesethVictoria1981-88
Karla KarchCalgary
Victoria
1982-88
Lori ClarkeVictoria1984-87
Janet FowlerVictoria1984-87
Kelly Boucher Calgary
Victoria
1985-91Played for Canada in Basketball at the 1996 Summer Olympics
Also played for Canada in Basketball at the 2000 Summer Olympics
Competed for the Charlotte Sting of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). [19]
Lisa KoopVictoria1993-98
Kayla DykstraVictoria2006-11Recipient of the 2009 Nan Copp Award

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Victoria</span> University in Victoria, British Columbia

The University of Victoria (UVic) is a public research university located in the municipalities of Oak Bay and Saanich, British Columbia, Canada. Established in 1903 as Victoria College, the institution was initially an affiliated college of McGill University until 1915. From 1921 to 1963, it functioned as an affiliate of the University of British Columbia. In 1963, the institution was reorganized into an independent university.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Bobcats</span> Athletic teams representing Brandon University

The Brandon Bobcats are the athletic teams that represent Brandon University in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. Currently, there are six Bobcat teams competing in U Sports as members of the Canada West Universities Athletic Association while the Bobcat soccer teams participate in the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference.

<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">Victoria Vikes</span> University athletic team in British Columbia, Canada

The Victoria Vikes are the athletic teams that represent the University of Victoria of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada in both men's and women's U Sports. Vikes was previously a longstanding nickname for both the men's teams and women's teams until it was officially adopted as the teams' name in 1989.

Dean Crawford was a Canadian rower and sports administrator. He began rowing in 1978 and won a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in the men's rowing eights event. He was also involved with sports as an administrator serving as the president of SwimBC, Swimming Canada, and Pacific Coast Swimming.

Kenneth William Daniel Shields, is a former Canadian basketball coach. He is a four-time CIAU coach of the year recipient. When he retired from university coaching, he held the most wins in Canadian university men's basketball history, during which time he won a record 7-straight national championships with the University of Victoria. He is also the former head coach of the Canada men's national team.

Ilario Enrico "Eli" Pasquale was a Canadian basketball player and two-time Olympian. Considered one of the best basketball players in Canada's history, Pasquale was the starting point guard and co-captain of the Canada men's national basketball team during, arguably, Canada's greatest era of basketball. During this time, Pasquale competed in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, two World Student Games, four FIBA World Championships and two Pan American games.

Gerald Francis Kazanowski is a two-time Olympian and former professional basketball player.

<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.

Karla Karch-Gailus is a Canadian former basketball player who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics and in the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Carol Turney is a Canadian basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics. She was a member of the Canadian team that won the bronze medal at the 1979 Pan American Games.

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

Kathy Shields is a Canadian basketball coach. She coached the University of Victoria women’s basketball team and the 1984 Summer Olympics as an assistant coach. She is married to Ken Shields.

<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">UBC Thunderbirds women's basketball</span> Womens college basketball team

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 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.

<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">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).

The Laurentian Voyageurs women's basketball team represent Laurentian University in the Ontario University Athletics of U Sports women's basketball. The Voyageurs have also captured the OUA Critelli Cup conference title a total of 14 times, the last coming in 2000. Additionally, the program has won seven Bronze Baby trophies.

Kelly Michael Dukeshire is former Canadian basketball player, CIAU All-Canadian, FISU gold-medalist and four-time CIAU national champion.

References

  1. "Graphic Standard Guidelines" (PDF). University of Victoria . Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  2. "Vikes Active Living". vikesrec.ca/. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  3. Tyler Lowey (2020-03-10). "Sinclair steps down from Vikes". govikesgo.com/. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  4. "Carrie Watts named head coach of UVic women's basketball program". gothunderbirds.ca/. 2021-05-14. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  5. "2019-20 Women's Basketball Standings". canadawest.org/. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  6. "2018-19 Women's Basketball Standings". canadawest.org/. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  7. "2017-18 Women's Basketball Standings". canadawest.org/. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  8. "2019-2020 Women's Basketball Overall Statistics". canadawest.org. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  9. "Victoria Vikettes (1979-93) (WBB Team)". canadawesthalloffame.org/. 2019-11-19. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  10. "Kathy Shields (WBB Coach)". canadawesthalloffame.org/. 2019-08-19. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  11. "Lori Clarke". govikesgo.com/. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  12. "Carol Turney-Loos (2017) - UVic Sports Hall of Fame". govikesgo.com. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  13. "UVic Sports Hall of Fame - TEAM 1981-82 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL". govikesgo.com/. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  14. "UVic Sports Hall of Fame - LUANNE KRAWETZ (HEBB)". govikesgo.com/. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  15. "UVic Sports Hall of Fame - KATHY SHIELDS". govikesgo.com/. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  16. Tyler Lowey (April 6, 2020). "Hedlin pockets President's Cup as Vikes split three other major awards". govikesgo.com/. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  17. "U SPORTS unveils Top 100 women's basketball players of the century". saltwire.com. March 8, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  18. Tyler Lowey (2020-03-08). "Eleven Vikes named to women's Top 100". govikesgo.com/. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  19. "Kelly Boucher". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2016.