July to take on the position of Head Coach for the University College of Fraser Valley Cascades Men's Basketball team in Abbotsford, British
Columbia. The announcement comes following a stellar season that saw Craddock lead the Bobcats to a 20-2 season record, which included such highlights as a five
week run as the nation's top-ranked team, a Silver Medal in the Canada Interuniversity Sport (CIS) National Championships in March, and a CIS Coach
of the Year Award for Craddock.
"The support I received at BU from President Louis Visentin, Athletic
Director Rick Nickelchok and my colleagues in athletics was as good as it
gets, I am extremely thankful for my time at Brandon University and living
in the city of Brandon," says Craddock. "Leaving became the hardest decision
I have had to make in my life. It is tough to leave a group of young men
that I have formed such strong relationships with, but I know they are all
returning, and I wish them the best in their quest to get one step further
than we got this past season"
"Ultimately the opportunity to move back home, be close to family, and grab
a rare CIS coaching opportunity was too good to pass up," he continues.
Craddock will assume Head Coach duties for the Fraser Valley Cascades
effective July 9. The team played their first season in the CIS in
2006-2007, finishing with a 6-17 record, and still has the squad in place
that won three national collegiate titles before jumping to CIS ranks.
"We are sad to lose a great colleague and selfishly disappointed that
Barnaby will no longer be leading the Bobcat Men's Basketball program," says
BU Athletic Director Rick Nickelchok. "It two short years, Barnaby has had a
significant impact on the program both on and off court. On the court, he
took his team to the silver medal at the national championships and in the
classroom every member of the team was academically successful, as was every
student athlete at Brandon University this year.
Coach Craddock has informed all Bobcats team members and recruits of his
departure and all of the Bobcats' returning students are still committed to
put on the blue and gold for the 2007-2008 season. Also returning is
Assistant Coach Mike Raimbault, who received strong accolades from both
Coach Craddock and the players, and will provide the program with continuity
moving into the 2007-2008 season. With strong leadership also coming from
within the team, as provided by Adam Hartman and Yul Michel (both 5th year
players) as well as a veteran group of players, the Bobcats remain in a good
position to run for the national championship again in 2008!
Concerning a replacement for Craddock, the BU Athletics Department is
currently exploring options available through the BU Collective Agreement,
and plan to move through the search process as expediently as possible.
All at Brandon University wish Coach Craddock much success in the future and
thank him for his significant contribution to the Brandon University
Athletic program over the last two years.
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For more information, please contact:
Kelly Stifora
Communications Officer
Brandon University
Phone: (204) 727 - 9762
Email: stiforak@brandonu.ca
Rick Nickelchok
Athletic Director
Brandon University
Phone: (204) 727 - 7405
Email: nickelchokr@brandonu.ca