The basketball court at Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Val Matteotti Gymnasium is more than a few basketball hoops – it’s a second home for the Heggie family, and a place where a shared passion became the cornerstone for learning, coaching and togetherness.
It began in 1984, when Ryan Heggie enrolled in General Arts and Science at what was then Lethbridge Community College. He was recruited to play for the Kodiaks men’s basketball team under coach Dave Adams and recalls his time clearly: “Our team was ranked as high as second in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association, and we finished with silver in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC). We made memories!”
Heggie returned to the men’s basketball program as head coach in 2011, and it wasn’t long before he and his wife Cori-Jo were watching their daughters – Jaclyn, Haylee-Jo and Brooke – play for the women’s basketball team. At one point, all three sisters were on the team at the same time.
“Not many people get the opportunity to play with their sisters in post-secondary,” says Jaclyn (General Arts and Science 2018). “Having my dad there the entire four years was something I don’t take for granted and our relationship became stronger because of it.”
Now a mom of four, Jaclyn lives in Raymond with her husband and is planning a return to school to complete her teaching degree; she also hopes to get back into basketball through coaching.
Brooke’s (General Arts and Science 2018) connection to the Kodiaks didn’t end after graduation. She’s now in her fourth season as assistant coach of the men’s team, working alongside her dad as she finishes her education degree from the University of Calgary.
“Coaching with my dad is the most amazing experience,” she says. “Having my grandparents and nieces and nephews come to games and watch us work is amazing. When I finish my degree, I plan to begin working as a teacher and continue to pursue my coaching goals with hopes of eventually landing a head coaching job somewhere.”
Haylee-Jo also soaked up the full family experience during her two years on campus in the General Arts and Science program.
“I always planned on attending Lethbridge Polytechnic and playing basketball for the Kodiaks,” she says. “Playing alongside my sisters made the transition from high school so much smoother. And seeing my dad every day at practice, that’s a memory I’ll always be grateful for.”
After transferring to Olds College and completing a bachelor of science in agri-business, Haylee-Jo is now focused on earning her education degree while she recovers from two ACL reconstructions. She’s returning to Olds to play her final year of ACAC basketball.
The Heggies’ shared experience is a rare one, even in the world of sports. But for Cori-Jo, a lifelong educator who also studied at the polytechnic before moving on to university, it’s the family bonds that matter most.
“Watching Ryan coach the men’s team has been a lot of fun,” she says. “It was awesome when all three of our daughters played for the Kodiaks. My 92-year-old mom comes to every game she can, and now my grandkids come to cheer on ‘Papa,’ Brooke and the team!”
“There have been great times and tough times, and those experiences help a person navigate life,” says Ryan, who is now entering his 15th season as head coach. “Working here has been an incredibly rewarding and challenging experience.
There are relationships I have built with players and colleagues here at [the polytechnic] that I treasure.”
