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.