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Writer's pictureCanada West

Ken Olynyk (Builder)



NAME: Ken Olynyk

UNIVERSITY: Thompson Rivers

CATEGORY: Builder


CW Hall of Fame Class of 2024-25


HIGHLIGHTS:

  • First AD in Thompson Rivers University history.

  • Led TRU’s transition to the CW level.

  • Huge influence in the growth of athletics for the entire Thompson Okanagan region.

  • TRU teams captured four CW medals during his time as AD.

  • As a coach he won four CW medals including a CW championship with the Lethbridge Pronghorns.

  • sAlso served as head coach of TRU WBB twice (2004-05 & and 2021-22) and the head coach of UBCO Heat MBB in 2018-19.


BIOGRAPHY:


The man at the helm for over 15 years, there can be no doubt that Ken Olynyk left a tremendous impact on Thompson Rivers University, the WolfPack and the greater Kamloops community. With a long-lasting legacy that includes guiding the department through some of the most important years in its history, Olynyk laid the foundation for what the WolfPack are today and what they will be for years to come.


Joining the UCC Sun Demons in 2003, Olynyk oversaw not just the transition of the department from CCAA to CIS (U SPORTS) competition, but also led the way when the Sun Demons became the WolfPack in 2005-06. During his tenure Olynyk led the department to nine U SPORTS team national championship appearances, including three silver medals and a pair of bronze medal performances. He also helped the WolfPack successfully host four U SPORTS National Championships.

In the community, Olynyk pushed the WolfPack to become leaders in both Kamloops and beyond with the athletic department raising countless dollars to support numerous community initiatives.


Holistic student-athlete success was always important to Olynyk. Over his time with the WolfPack, over 400 student-athletes earned either PACWEST Academic Excellence or U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian honours.


In addition to his accomplishments as an administrator, Olynyk was a successful coach and mentor for countless numbers of Canada West student-athletes. As a coach he won four CW medals, including a CW championship with the Lethbridge Pronghorns men's basketball team in 1985-86. He also served as head coach of the TRU women's basketball team twice in 2004-05 and 2021-22, and the UBCO Heat men's basketball team in 2018-19.


On the national stage, he coached Team Canada at youth levels and served as an assistant coach of the senior men's national team. He also guest coached with the Toronto Raptors in 2003-04.

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