MacAlpine named CCAA Coach of the Year

Kevin MacAlpine of the Concordia Thunder has been named the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Badminton Coach of the Year for the third time.

MacAlpine received the award at the 2020 CCAA Badminton National Championships banquet, hosted by the University of Toronto Mississauga. He previously won the CCAA award in 2017 and 2011.

“Kevin is one of the most passionate and strong advocates for badminton in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) and has excelled in building one of the premier badminton programs in our conference as our head coach,” said Joel Mrak, Director of Athletics & Recreation at Concordia University of Edmonton. “His program over the years has been characterized for having strong academic students, national championship contenders, and above else, high quality individuals to represent our institution.”

MacAlpine has been a part of the Thunder Badminton program for 19 years, first as a student-athlete, then as an assistant coach and finally as head coach since 2009. He takes pride in being the foundation of this successful program.

This season, Concordia’s roster comprised of five first-year athletes and MacAlpline’s main objective has been to elevate those who have had very little coaching to the highest level possible. At the same time, he’s done a masterful job of pushing his elite level student-athletes to a higher level – all while teaching them to utilize their knowledge and experience and take on a leadership role within the team.

“Kevin has had some outstanding athletes on his team but what is more impressive is the development of his lesser known players into very strong collegiate athletes,” said Michael Kopinak, CCAA Badminton Convenor. “No question, MacAlpine likes to win but as a teacher in his day job, there is an expectation that the Concordia student-athletes excel in the classroom and be model citizens within the community.”

The Thunder finished atop the ACAC standings during the regular season and settled for silver in the team event at the ACAC Badminton Championships. They dominated the individual competition at provincials, earning three gold medals. Concordia was also victorious in four out of five divisions at the 2019 Honolulu Badminton Open.

MacAlpine is also heavily involved with the Alberta Winter Games, coaching the Zone 5 Badminton team since 2004. In addition, he is the long-time head coach of the badminton team at M.E. LaZerte High School, where he has developed one of the top high school programs in Alberta.

MacAlpine serves as the ACAC Badminton Convenor as well as the Metro City of Edmonton Convenor.

Other nominees for the CCAA Badminton Coach of the Year award were Roselyn Bevis of the Conestoga Condors (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association) and Michael Miller of the Mount Allison Mounties (Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association).

CCAA Coach of the Year winners receive a customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring Supplier of the CCAA Championship banquet.