Once a Kodiak, always a Kodiak. Lethbridge College is calling all of its former student-athletes home as it hosts its inaugural Kodiaks Alumni Weekend on Friday and Saturday at the Val Matteotti Gymnasium.
The Kodiaks volleyball teams are in action on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, and the basketball teams are on the court on Saturday evening. Admission is by donation with all proceeds going directly to support Kodiaks Athletics scholarships.
“A big part of what makes our program great is how many amazing people have been a part of it over the years,” says Todd Caughlin, Kodiaks Athletics manager, and himself a former Kodiaks student-athlete and volleyball coach. “Those who came before laid the foundation and we have tried to build on it by valuing academic accountability, athletic excellence and community involvement. We are looking forward to re-connecting this weekend as we all cheer on our Kodiaks together.”
Team and intramural athletics have been part of Lethbridge College since 1957, with the Kodiaks team name first being used by the men’s basketball program in 1960. Since then, thousands of student-athletes have represented the Kodiaks in Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) and Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) action.
The Kodiaks have won 60 ACAC championships, 12 CCAA championships and have produced 59 academic all-Canadians. The program is committed to being a part of the southern Alberta community by hosting camps and clinics, volunteering with local school and club programs, and running the annual Warm Paws charitable campaign.
“The Kodiaks are what connect us all at Lethbridge College,” says Sydney Wakaruk, Lethbridge College Alumni Relations coordinator. “We know those ties run deep for former student-athletes, so we want to emphasize that you are always welcome to come back home and we encourage all of you to stay involved with and connected to the Kodiaks.”
Alumni Weekend features a number of perks and exciting announcements, including:
- free pizza for all Lethbridge College alumni in the Molson Room (second floor of the P.E. Building)
- great prizes and contests
- a special recognition on Friday evening for newly-crowned CCAA national cross country champion Sophia Nowicki and the CCAA women’s silver medallist cross country team
- the unveiling of brand new trophies recognizing all of the Kodiaks past CCAA team medallists, and much more
The Kodiaks volleyball teams host Olds College, with games beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, and 1 p.m. on Saturday. The Kodiaks basketball teams host Red Deer College on Saturday, with action tipping off at 6 p.m.
Learn more about the weekend's matchups at gokodiaks.ca.