A gift from Lethbridge-based Millwork Innovations 3 (MI3) ensures that the championship history of Lethbridge College’s Kodiaks Athletics programs will be permanently and prominently displayed.
A new trophy case, located on the second floor of the Physical Education Building and leading into the Val Matteotti Gymnasium, was unveiled on Thursday morning. The trophy case is a $55,000 gift on behalf of MI3, and it allows everyone entering the home of the Kodiaks to get a glimpse of the many awards and accolades that teams and individuals have earned over 60 years of athletics competition.
“Our student-athletes have brought so much pride to our college over the years, and this is a way to make sure their achievements are properly celebrated,” says Todd Caughlin, manager of Kodiaks Athletics. “We thank MI3 for recognizing those accomplishments and using their immense skills to build a showcase piece that will become a key part of our athletics facilities.”
A leader in architectural woodwork in western Canada, MI3 has been heavily involved in a variety of Lethbridge College projects since its founding in 2007. These include everything from building kitchens in student residences, completing wood work in the new Trades, Technologies and Innovation Facility, to providing “live-edge” woodwork in the recently-opened Founders’ Square. The company has also employed more than a dozen Lethbridge College alumni from the Interior Design Technology, Business Administration, and Carpenter Apprenticeship programs.
“Skills being perfected at Lethbridge College are being used every day in our workplace and we are proud to continue our partnership with the college and the Kodiaks,” says Willy Reger, owner of MI3. “It has been a focus of our company to support the local community in many different ways and this is an extension of that. We are honoured to donate this trophy case and we look forward to seeing it filled with many proofs of great achievement.”
Reger has a personal connection to Kodiaks Athletics, as his son Nils competed for the Kodiaks men’s volleyball team for four seasons, from 2013 to 2017, serving as team captain during his final season.
Kodiaks Athletics has a long championship history, including 12 CCAA national championships, 57 ACAC championships and 49 academic all-Canadians. Guided by the three pillars of Kodiaks Athletics – academic accountability, athletic excellence and the student-athlete experience – the athletics program also annually honours its top performers at the end-of-season KODI’s.
