Jeremy Wielenga of the Keyano Huskies has been named the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year.
Wielenga was honoured during the 2022 CCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship, hosted by Humber College in Etobicoke, ON.
“The Huskies had an outstanding season in the tough Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC),” said David Munro, CCAA VP Programs. “Coach Wielenga continued to positively impact the basketball program at Keyano with his mentoring and guidance of the student-athletes, both on and off the court.”
Wielenga guided the Huskies to a first-place finish in the ACAC North Division with a perfect 16-0 record. An impressive total of 10 student-athletes from the team were honoured as ACAC All-Conference players – four on the first team and six more on the second team.
After six seasons as an assistant coach at Brandon University, Lakehead University and the University of Winnipeg, Wielenga took over head coaching duties at Keyano in 2017. His goal has always been to help his student-athletes reach their maximum potential, on and off the court.
This year, the Huskies made a noted improvement in their shooting from the field, sporting a 49.8% field goal percentage compared to 45.6% from the 2019-20 season. They made gains from the foul line as well, sinking 70.3% compared to 66.7% from two seasons ago. On a per-game basis, Keyano also averaged a full two steals more per game than the previous season.
Wielenga also currently serves as Head Coach of the Elementary and Junior High Academies at the PEAK (Passion, Excellence, Attitude, Knowledge) Academy, where he provides sport enrichment to youth in Fort McMurray’s public school system.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to have a coach of Jeremy’s caliber as part of our staff,” said Jonathan Lambert, Director of Athletics & Recreation at Keyano College. “Since his arrival, he’s set forth a strong example for coaching in our program and throughout our conference.”
Other nominees for the CCAA Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year award were Scot Cuachon of the Camosun Chargers (Pacific Western Athletic Association), Omar Miles of the Humber Hawks (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association), Renoldo Robinson of the Dawson Blues (Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec) and Jordan Holness of the Holland Hurricanes (Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association).
The CCAA Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year recipient receive a customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring Supplier of the CCAA.
Media Contact:
Rodney Wilson / rodney@ccaa.ca
Manager, Communications & Events
