Cambrian honours All-Canadian at alumni-varsity basketball expo

Former Cambrian College varsity basketball player Brady Bolan will be back at the college Saturday to take part in the annual alumni varsity basketball game.

Bolan is an All-Canadian (2008-2009) who has played professional basketball in China and semi-pro ball in New Brunswick. Bolan, along with several other outstanding alumni, will face off against the College’s current men’s squad March 17.

Just before tip-off, a banner will be raised in the gymnasium, in recognition of Bolan’s accomplishments. However, Bolan said it’s the chance to say thanks to Cambrian and his former coach, Brad Hann, that’s drawing him back to Sudbury.

“I still appreciate what Cambrian’s athletics program did for me, so I feel like it’s important to give back to the College and support today’s student athletes,” Bolan said. “I’m also looking forward to seeing a lot of people who I haven’t seen in a few years.”

In fact, Bolan is travelling with another outstanding alumnus, Mitch Malette, who was named a two-time Ontario All-Star and an Academic All-Canadian in 2007-2008, according to a press release. Malette played varsity basketball for Cambrian for two years and also played for the Laurentian Voyageurs for one.

He said he still plays the game recreationally, and that returning to play in the alumni varsity game is “a competitive thing.”

“We want to see if we can beat the young guys, and we want to test their skills,” he said. “Cambrian helped me so much through athletics, financially, and academically. It’s going to be nice to give back.”

Organized by Cambrian’s Alumni Association and the College’s Athletics Association, the Alumni Varsity Basketball game “promotes a healthy, but intense rivalry between Cambrian’s current and former men’s basketball players,” Celina Mantler, alumni relations manager, said. “Of course, we have some outstanding alumni involved this year, and that’s going to heighten the competition.”

The event is open to the public. Beer and other refreshments will be served court-side, and a silent auction will be held throughout the game. Following the matchup, the Alumni Association is hosting a special pub night in the College’s Student Centre. All proceeds support student athletes, Mantler said.

Cambrian’s Alumni Varsity Basketball Game will take place March 17, in the gymnasium at Cambrian’s Barrydowne Campus. It starts at 4 p.m. Admission to the game is $2 per person.
 

Posted by Laurel Myers