1st Annual Scotty Mac Basketball Camp 2008

Dave Adams/Mike Hansen Scholarship Program

Dave Adams and Mike Hansen, good friend’s, amazing basketball player’s and even better people have spear headed basketball within Southern Alberta for the last two decades.

The Dave Adam’s/Mike Hansen Scholarship Program is a program that wants to acknowledge and give opportunities to kids who show the loyalty, generosity, compassion, determination, drive, honesty and morals that these two men are known for. Dedicated coaches who inspire on a daily basis they unselfishly pursue all aspects for their player’s and student’s.

Four kids within Lethbridge who illustrate these qualities will be selected to participate in the Scotty Mac Basketball Camps on a scholarship basis in honor of Dave and Mike and their direct positive impact on Southern Alberta!

Scotty Mac Basketball Classic July 18th/2008

The Scotty Mac Basketball Classic is a fun, exciting, entertaining day of basketball intended to exhibit the quality of basketball that is present and apparent in Lethbridge. With exhibition games, competitions and drills from all ages, genders and size’s this day exhibits the skill and passion that Southern Alberta has for basketball. Basketball enthusiasts and fans will appreciate the skill and effort from 6 year olds all the way to varsity players. A true basketball atmosphere this day will illustrate the talent and support that basketball is notoriously known for in Lethbridge.

THANK YOU!

To Mr. Dennis Connolly for his support of the University of Lethbridge and their athletes that he has been so loyal to. Every athlete at that school is grateful for your continued support, contagious
enthusiasm and sponsorship.

To Coach Perry Mirkovich for great advice, wisdom, friendship and the inspiration for all aspiring Southern Albertan Ballers.

To Coach Mike Connolly for continually supporting and believing in his players. For helping them at any time necessary and pushing them towards goals they thought were unachievable.

To Mr. Keith Pushor for generously helping out with this camp without reservation or second thoughts.

To Coach Mike Hansen and Dave Adams for always lending a helping hand to any of their current, former or future players.

U of L Player Profile

Tags: Sports
Player Profile
Scott Mackinnon
5th Year Kinesiology Major
Men’s Basketball
# 45

Meet Scott Mackinnon, one of the featured athletes for this week’s player profile. Born and raised in Comox, B.C., Scott developed his love for basketball by shadowing his father, a basketball coach, and progressed in his knowledge of the game by learning from his dad. Scott moved on to help coach Sr. Girl’s Basketball teams in his hometown and eventually landed himself a position on the Pronghorn’s roster.

Nowadays, you can find Scott in the Gym, in practice, or in his Kinesiology classes. Scott is an Education hopeful and plans to use the skills he has acquired on and off the Basketball courts to make him an enthusiastic and engaging teacher.

A 5th year player for the U of L, Scott is a versatile and valuable member of the Men’s Basketball team. Playing a variety of positions including Guard, Forward, and Utility, he is a great player to have around in any situation. “The best part about being a Pronghorn,” said Scott Mackinnon in an interview, “is that you get to be a part of a team and benefit from the close friendships that come from that. I also like being a part of the U of L community.” Scott feels that this year is a promising one for the Men’s Basketball team. “We have a big team and a lot of solid young players, like Richard Steed and Eric Gali, that are playing exceptionally well so far this season.” He stated “its going to be a great year.”

Scott recalled his fondest memory from his past basketball experiences as being a part of the 2001 Alberta Provincial team, lead by Coach Connolly, and bringing home the bronze medal from the Canada Games. “Hard work, perseverance, and determination are the qualities that make a good student athlete,” Scott professed, and he continues to make the U of L proud by demonstrating these characteristics.

Some Nice Words

Hats off to Scott
Submitted by Sletto on Thu, 2007-02-15 21:27.

Author
Kris Kantrud



Hats off to Scott



*Photo caption- This weekend’s pair of games marked the end of a brilliant Pronghorn basketball career for many players. One of such players is #45 Scott Mackinnon has spent the past five years playing his heart out and making the University of Lethbridge proud.Some things can never be replaced. They are just too important, too transcendent, and so valuable that they become invaluable; a first car, a pet, or that pair of blue jeans that start to look like just a waistband. These things are priceless, timeless. When they’re gone, nothing will ever fill their void. This past weekend the Pronghorn Men’s basketball team lost a player of this kind, #45 Scott Mackinnon. Mackinnon played his last game after five seasons in Pronghorn blue on Saturday night and without question his legacy will live on. But so much will be missed at Pronghorn games without the mop-topped floor leader.

What makes Scott so irreplaceable one might ask?

Is it his numbers? No. Scott fills the box score, no doubt about it. He puts up points, rebounds, makes pretty assists, and always plays big minutes. But this isn’t about stats.Is it his clutch play? No. Scott does make some big shots and key defensive plays late in games, but this is only one facet.Is it the way the fans respond to him? The fans love to cheer for Scott, but it is still something more.

Well then what is it you ask?

It is everything. It’s his demeanor, his hustle, his humbleness, his sacrifices. How it looks like he is in more pain after missing an important shot than when he hits the ground hard after enduring a powerful charge from an opposing player. He always plays and practices like a consummate professional, but still seem to love the game and compete because he simply wants to. He is simultaneously the ultimate leader and a completely selfless team player. He is a workhorse that doesn’t rely on only his god-given talent because it would be unjust. Perhaps most importantly it is Scott’s off-court persona that means so much to Pronghorn basketball and U of L sports in general. He is kind, friendly and has a personality warm enough to be a kindergarten teacher. I had the pleasure of taking a basketball class with Scott at the University and he never took credit for something unless it was somebody else’s mistake. On one particular occasion he threw a pinpoint pass to me on a break. The ball sliced through my hands, bounced off my chest, and out of bounds. Without hesitation, Scott put his hand in the air and genuinely hollered “My bad” as if it was his fault that my co-ordination quit progressing after the third grade. He plays any position and leaves everything on the floor. At the buzzer all that matters to Scott was getting the win. A former Pronghorn player once told me that if Scott hung twenty-five points, eight rebounds, and eight assists on the opponent in a losing effort he would still hang his head and apologize to his teammates saying the defeat was on his shoulders. This player went on to say, “you could not ask for a better a teammate.”

This is not to belittle what Scott’s teammates did, especially the ones that also played their last games in Pronghorn uniforms on Saturday. Hometown product Matt Bekkering is criminally underrated and as smart as they come. Todd McClenaghan oozes swagger and provides endless excitement anytime he graces the hardwood. Bruce Carbert is a fan favourite due to huge defensive plays and the occasional thunderous slam. Kevin Monson is a burst of energy off the bench that always inspires teammates and fans. Jordana Miltimore will be sorely missed as the women’s perennial producer, and Lindy Lauder showed great resiliency by battling through numerous injuries.
Without teammates Scott would have no one to pass praise to. He would have no one to defer to in the good times, and then shield in the bad. Scott Mackinnon will never be replaced on the Pronghorn court, as a person or as a player, because sometimes there just simply is no replacement.

Coach Mike Connolly Commits to One Day Instruction

Mike Connolly enters his 7th year as head coach of the University of Lethbridge Pronghorn Men's Basketball Program. Coach Connolly comes to Lethbridge via Medicine Hat where he was the Rattlers Men's Basketball Coach for two years, where he led the team to two consecutive ACAC Bronze Medal finishes. Coach Connolly was also a 2 time ACAC Coach of the Year during his tenure at Medicine Hat College. No stranger to the CIS Connolly has 9 years experience as an assistant coach, spending 6 years with former Pronghorn bench boss Ken Olynyk at the University of Toronto and spending 3 years as assistant coach at the University of Victoria under Guy Vetrie. Coach Connolly was a part of the University of Victoria's National Championship team in 1997. Coach Connolly also has spent four years as a coach with Basketball Alberta. Connolly coached the 2001 and 2005 Alberta Canada Games team and also coached the 2002 and 2004 Juvenile teams at the Canadian Championships. He coached the 2001 Canada Games team to a hard fought bronze medal. This team featured future Canadian all stars such as Jermaine Bucknor, Jimmy Baldersen, Phil Sudol, Nick Baldwin and Chris Wright.

Coach Connolly known for his rough, gritty, hard and banging style of basketball as a player at the University of Lakehead has installed this work ethic and desire into the horns. A take no prisoner attitude is apparent at all horns practices and in turn is translated into games. Coach Connolly’s young squad looks very promising next y ear and has a definite shot to make Canada West Playoffs. A hard working technical specialist Coach Connolly will have the horns prepared and ready next year as they drive towards the mountain division crown. Scotty Mac Basketball Camps would like to thank Coach Connolly for volunteering to coach, instruct and run one full day of camps

BLUE AND GOLD

Captain Canada

Living Legend

At six foot six Perry Mirkovich was an offensive machine on the basketball court. The extremely dynamic guard/forward could hit the long distance jumper, pull up for a bank shot,fly high above the rim and throw down a thundering dunk.Perry played five years at the U of L(1975-1980), was named to the Canada West conference all star team in his last three seasons and won the Canada West scoring title in 79-80 and was honored as the U of L Male Athlete of the Year.

Perry was a member of the 1980 Canadian National Team. He helped the squad to a silver medal at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico. Although, Canada boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics, Perry is officially recognized as a Canadian Olympian. That summer Perry was selected in the sixth-round of the NBA draft by the Portland Trailblazers. That was a unique achievement for someone who had played high school and university basketball within Canada. Not surprisingly, Perry was named Southern Alberta Male Athlete of the Year in 1980.

Most recently Perry has given back to the Horn’s as he has participated as an Associate Coach for the past four seasons. A humble, wise and energetic basketball mind Perry has unselfishly given his time, competitiveness, passion, friendship and basketball tricks to the horn’s. An old school Assassin, Perry bleeds blue and gold and this should truly be admired.

University of Lethbridge Pronghorns

University of Lethbridge Pronghorns

University of Lethbridge Pronghorns