Brandon products Jodie Baker (left) Mary Thomson (middle) and Gillian Leech all signed letters of intent to play for the Bobcats.

BRANDON, MB – A trio of Brandon high school stand-outs have committed to play for the Brandon University Bobcats women’s volleyball team beginning next season.

Crocus Plains products Jodie Baker and Mary Thomson as well as soon to be Vincent Massey grad Gillian Leech have verbally committed and now signed official letters of intent to join the BU Athletics program.

“We have such a strong local contingent of talented volleyball players in our region and it’s great to keep these athletes right here in Brandon,” says head coach Lee Carter. “Having them stay here helps build our program, which is what our goal has always been. In doing so it helps grow the sport even more in Brandon and all of Manitoba.”

Baker is an all-around athlete, having excelled at not only volleyball, but also played high level basketball and softball. The 6’2 middle has played for the Crocus Plains Plainsmen senior girls volleyball and basketball teams for the past two seasons. Jodie is the younger sister of Kellie, a current third-year Bobcat, and daughter of Deb, who played basketball for the Bobcats in the 1980’s.

“I’m really looking forward to playing with my sister next year,” says Baker. “I’ve gotten to know some of the girls on the team through Kellie and since my sister went to BU a lot of people assumed I would too. Her being here already is definitely one the biggest reasons I want to be a Bobcat.”

Thomson also has family ties to the Brandon Bobcats. Both her parents (Don and Jennifer) played basketball for BU in the 1980’s. The 5’10 left-side/setter has been a member of the Crocus Plains senior girls volleyball and basketball teams since she was in grade 10.

“I think it’s going to be an awesome experience,” says Thomson. “I feel that I’ve found a really good opportunity. It’s the best fit for what I want to do in terms of going to university and hopefully playing a full five years of volleyball.”

Thomson has also played volleyball in the past with a current Bobcat, fellow Crocus Plains grad Meaghan Robertson.

Leech has led the Vincent Massey senior varsity girls volleyball team for the past two seasons. The 5’10 left-side is currently a member of the U18 Storm club team, and was a member of the provincial team that won silver at Western Elites and the Western Canada Games.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to play for the Bobcats,” says Leech, “It’s a little bit nerve-racking to play at such a high-level and playing on a new team, but I know it will be a lot of fun. Playing here in Brandon will be great. I’ve lived here all of my life and it will be comfortable playing with people I’ve played with before.”

All three recruits have experience playing together, as they are all products of the U18 Storm club volleyball team based in Brandon, which is led by Bobcats assistant coach Derek Richels.

The team donated all 50/50 revenue from last weekend’s final regular season home games, which also happened to be the final basketball games in the historic BU Gymnasium, while two members of the team generated hundreds of dollars by making free-throws

At half-time of Friday’s men’s basketball game Chantel Gaslard hit 16 free-throws in one-minute, while Jayla Bousquet made 21 shots on Saturday.

“Everyone has a connection to cancer through family and friends,” said Bousquet, who also happened to be playing her final home games as a Brandon Bobcat. “There’s a helpless feeling when someone you know is fighting cancer. It’s important to take part in opportunities like this and raise money for a foundation that is taking action. This was our first year being part of the ‘Shoot for the Cure’ and hopefully each girls on the team can do more.”

This coming weekend will be the final Bobcat Athletics regular season events to be held in the old BU Gymnasium as the volleyball teams welcome the Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas to Brandon. First serve for both Friday and Saturday is scheduled for 6:00 pm for the women and 7:45 pm for the men.

All 50/50 revenue from this upcoming weekend’s matches will also be donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Former Canadian national team member Novell Thomas has been named the new coach of the BU women's basketball team.

BRANDON, MB – Brandon University Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of Novell Thomas as head coach of the Bobcats women’s basketball team.

Thomas brings experience as a basketball player, basketball coach and an industry professional to BU Athletics.

“We’re thrilled that Novell will be the new face of Brandon University’s women’s basketball team,” says Russ Paddock, BU’s acting Athletic Director. “He brings a tremendous blend of basketball knowledge and experience. Novell is extremely well-respected in basketball circles and we think he will do an excellent job.”

Thomas is a former member of the Canadian men’s national basketball team, a former professional basketball player, and a graduate of Simon Fraser University, where he still holds school records for career assists and single-season assists. Thomas has spent the past six years as an Associate Producer for Interactive Entertainment, a subsidiary of Electronic Arts Canada Inc. (EA Sports).

Thomas has coaching experience at various levels, including high school teams, provincial teams, and as an assistant at the CIS level (Canadian Interuniversity Sport).

“I’m tremendously excited for the opportunity. When I got the call this morning I was incredibly nervous, but I couldn’t be more excited,” says Thomas. “I look forward to getting to know the players and getting an understanding of their current mindset moving forward. In terms of coaching, I lean slightly more to the defensive side of things, but I always want my players to focus on execution.”

Thomas will officially begin his coaching duties with the Bobcats on March 23.

Aimee Johnston had a stellar January, continuing her campaign to be Canada West rookie of the year while Donovan Gayle is ending his career as a Bobcat in an impressive fashion.

BRANDON, MB – As the Brandon Bobcats prepare to close the doors to the BU Gymnasium, two BU athletes are being recognized for their efforts on the court in January.

AIMEE JOHNSTON is the Pantages on Park Female Athlete of the Month for January. The rookie forward is in the midst of an outstanding first season at Brandon University.

Johnston played in all eight of the Bobcat’s games in January, averaging 10.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, while logging 31.4 minutes per game.

On the season, the Vincent Massey grad sits among the conference leaders in a variety of statistical categories. Johnston is in the top 20 in scoring (11.9 points per game), free-throw percentage (.804), and steals (2.3 per game), and she sits fourth in rebounding (8.3 per game), and leads the conference in defensive rebounding (7.1 per game).

DONOVAN GAYLE is wrapping up his career as a Bobcat with a bang. The Scarborough, Ontario product is the Tip Top Tailors Male Athlete of the Month for January.

Gayle started in five of eight Canada West conference games for the Bobcats in January, averaging 10.1 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game while playing 24.8 minutes per game.

After transferring to Brandon University from the University of Maine at Machias in 2008, Gayle has increased his statistical output while improving his overall game in his four years as a Bobcat.

Both Johnston and Gayle will be recognized at Friday’s Bobcat basketball games prior to the tip-off of their respective games.

Opened in 1965, the Brandon University Gymnasium has been home to countless memorable moments.

BRANDON, MB – After 46 years and thousands of basketball games, the final Bobcat basketball games will be played in the Brandon University Gymnasium this weekend. The Bobcats will host the Lethbridge Pronghorns in the ‘Cats final home games of the 2011-2012 Canada West season, as BU prepares to open the brand-new Healthy Living Centre in the fall of 2012.

Opened in 1965, the BU Gymnasium has been the site of incredible basketball games and numerous unforgettable moments. Long-time men’s basketball coach Jerry Hemmings has countless memories from the BU Gym, after leading the Bobcats to 734 wins in his 28 years as head coach, including both a memorable win and a notable loss.

“I remember when we played the University of Manitoba back in 1971 and played to a record low score,” says Hemmings. “We were leading 13-12 before Manitoba won it late in the fourth quarter off a steal. They won that game by a final score of 14-13, but even though it was a loss, that’s a game that always sticks out.”

“I also remember when we hosted the Mid-West Regional Championships for the first time in 1983,” Hemmings adds. “In our first game we were playing Dalhousie, and we were down by eight points. We battled back, then with Earl Roberts hit a last second buzzer-beater to win the game. The gym was so loud it was incredible. It was a great weekend of basketball for Brandon, the south-western Manitoba region and all of Manitoba.”

Moments like those are just a few of the many that have been created in the BU Gymnasium over the years, and similar memories are shared by those who have worked in the gym for years.

“I remember when the men’s basketball team was playing Manitoba in the late 80’s in the GPAC final”, says Steve Dzubinski, BU’s athletic therapist for the past 35 years. “They beat us Friday night, then we won Saturday, making the final game of the series on Sunday afternoon. That Sunday game was phenomenal. The Bobcats prevailed in an incredible game, and the crowd was raucous.”

“Despite the thunderous crowd my infant daughter slept through it. Moments like that will stay with me forever,” adds Dzubinski.”Very few visiting teams like to play here. A crowd of 500 can be deafening. That’s why some people hate this place, while others love it.”

The BU Gymnasium was the home gym of four national championship basketball teams, and was home to BU’s former field hockey, soccer, and badminton teams among others. The gym has also been home to BU’s volleyball teams since re-joining the program in 2005. Both BU’s men’s and women’s volleyball teams have quickly ascended to the national stage and rank among the best in the country.

While the recent successes of Bobcat athletics is commendable, many fans will remember the BU Gymnasium for days gone by and the accomplishments of former athletes and teams.

“It’s so hard to pick just one memory as your favourite because there are so many,” adds Hemmings. “In the late 1980’s there would be line-ups out the door and down the street of people waiting to get into the gym for our games. We’ve been fortunate to have had so many great players and teams over the years and there are a lot of great memories, but like everything it must come to an end.”

This weekend’s games will also be the Bobcats “Shoot for the Cure” fundraiser. On Friday, Jayla Bousquet will shoot free-throws at half-time of the men’s game to raise funds for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, while Chantel Gaslard will shoot Saturday. Both players are currently collecting pledges leading up to the weekend.

Saturday night’s games will also be Senior’s Night, as the women’s basketball team will say goodbye to graduating player Jayla Bousquet while Kyle Vince and Donovan Gayle will play their final games for the men’s team.

Brandon University’s volleyball teams will be the final Bobcat teams to play in the BU Gymnasium as they wrap up the Canada West regular season against the Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas on February 11 & 12.

Bobcat alum Adam Philpott and women's basketball team captain Jayla Bousquet present a cheque to students at Kirkcaldy School.

BRANDON, MB – Some current and former Bobcat Athletes are helping younger students make good on a fundraising goal to help those in need in Third World countries.

Former men’s basketball player Adam Philpott and Jayla Bousquet of the women’s basketball team presented a cheque for over $3,200 dollars to students at Kirkcaldy Heights School on behalf of Bobcat Athletes for Action (BAFA). The students at Kirkcaldy are raising funds for World Vision, but were short on their fund-raising goal.  That’s when BAFA stepped in.

After raising $1,200 dollars last year, Kirkcaldy students were short this year, so BAFA decided to help by donating funds they raised over the past few years.

Originally founded by Philpott and fellow BU athletes almost three years ago, BAFA has hosted numerous fund-raising and awareness events covering topics from eradicating dirty water to anti-bullying campaigns.

“We are hoping the students pick up our message of academics, hard-work, and living a healthy active lifestyle,” says men’s basketball Head Coach Gil Cheung. “The guys absolutely love being a part of this community and any time they have a chance to go out and speak with future BU students, it’s something they really look forward to.”

The Bobcats also have a visit planned for Waverley Park School on February 2.

The Bobcats’ presentation will consist of teaching fundamental basketball skills, as well as a shooting and dunking presentation. The athletes will be taking on various teams from the school, as well as a much anticipated rematch with the staff from last season. A game that was a tie until Mr. Carmichael (a former CIAU National Champion with the Brandon Bobcats) missed a crucial free throw to win the game.

“I still make sure to give him a hard time about that one, but we just love the opportunity to speak with the students and to show them that academics and athletics go hand in hand,” adds Cheung.

Along with a formal presentation, students will have the opportunity to win various prizes including basketballs, posters and tickets to upcoming Bobcats games.

Try-outs will be held on January 15 & 22 at Brandon’s New Era School (527 Louise Ave.) Try-outs for the girls 13U team will run from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm while the girls 14U team try-outs will be from 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm. Registration will begin at 10:30 am and the registration fee is $25 dollars.

Players that are selected to the team will attend four tournaments from January through April.

Jaryn Ruether (left) and Paul Robidoux have been named Bobcat Athletes of the Month for December.

BRANDON, MB – As the Brandon Bobcats welcome the second half of the 2011-2012 season, a pair of athletes are being recognized for their efforts in December.

JARYN RUETHER has led the Bobcats to four straight wins in Canada West Conference action, including an impressive weekend against the Saskatchewan huskies to close out the first half of the regular season. Ruether’s performance has earned her the Pantages on Park Female Athlete of the Month award for December.

The fifth-year left-side had a match-high nine kills and eight digs on December 2 then followed it up with 10 kills and three stuff blocks en route to a weekend series sweep in which the Bobcats dropped only one set.

The Grande Prairie, Alberta product is having another stellar season, averaging 3.46 points per set with 123 kills.

PAUL ROBIDOUX had an outstanding month, highlighted by the performance of his career on December 2, earning Tip Top Tailors Male Athlete of the Month honours.

Robidoux was lights out at home against the Saskatchewan Huskies, putting up 22 kills with only one error (.656 attack efficiency) in the first contest of the weekend series, then followed it up with 13 kills and eight digs on December 3. The Winnipeg product is in his last year of eligibility with the Bobcats and is currently second on the team in kills.

Most importantly, Robidoux’s performance in December helped the Bobcats to a pair of wins, landing them at sixth spot in the Conference and in the playoff picture.

Both volleyball teams will resume action in the second half of the Canada West conference season as they host the UBCO Heat on January 13 in the BU Gymnasium.

The Bobcats will be hosting the inaugural Conferences of Canada Challenge December 29-31. The Lady ‘Cats will welcome three teams from across the country, each representing one of the four regional associations affiliated with CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport).

From the OUA (Ontario University Athletics) will be the Guelph Gryphons, the RSEQ (Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec) will be represented by the McGill Martlets, and the Dalhousie Tigers will be in Brandon on behalf of the AUS (Atlantic University Sport).

The tournament will feature a round-robin format followed by third-place and first-place matches on December 31. The Bobcats first match will be at 7:45 pm on December 29. The complete tournament draw is as follows:

December 29
6:00 pm Dalhousie Tigers vs. Guelph Gryphons
7:45 pm Brandon Bobcats vs. McGill Martlets

December 30
10:00 am Brandon Bobcats vs. Guelph Gryphons
12:00 pm McGill Martlets vs. Dalhousie Tigers
6:00 pm Guelph Gryphons vs. McGill Martlets
7:45 pm Brandon Bobcats vs. Dalhousie Tigers

December 31
12:00 pm Bronze Medal Match – 3rd vs. 4th
2:00 pm Gold Medal Match – 1st vs. 2nd

All games will be played in the Brandon University Gymnasium. There will be no admission charge for fans in attendance, however anyone who attends is asked to bring a non-perishable food donation for the Brandon University Students Union Food Bank.