Brandon University will initiate a search for a new Athletic Director following the announcement that Rick Nickelchok will resign from Brandon University effective at the end of August 2007. Nickelchok has accepted the post of Athletic Director at University College Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, British Columbia, effective with the start of 2007-2008 academic year. Nickelchok has been the Athletic Director at BU since August 2003.
"My family and I have thoroughly enjoyed our four years in Brandon and at the university," says Nickelchok. "We have made many friends who we will miss."
In further comments, Nickelchok puts particular stress on the accomplishments of the student-athletes and staff that he has worked with at BU:
"I am very proud of the accomplishments of our student athletes, the leadership of our coaches and the athletic program as a whole," says Nickelchok. "This past year was a memorable one for me where not only every student athlete at BU achieved academic success, but 84 percent had an average of C+ or higher and 55 percent achieved a B or higher. The silver medal won by our Men’s Basketball was an added bonus."
"We currently have three outstanding community conscious coaches and the best athletic therapist in the country," he continues. "Volleyball coaches Russ Paddock and Lee Carter have developed a solid base for their programs and should lead their teams into the playoffs this year while coach Hickson will be there in a couple of years. Not to be forgotten are the contributions of (former men's basketball) Coach Barnaby Craddock. Coach Craddock's leadership, character and team success brought visibility and pride to our university and the community."
Craddock announced his departure from BU in June 2007, and currently serves as the Head Coach of the University College of Fraser Valley men's basketball program.
Nickelchok also extends thanks to those who have supported Bobcats programming during his tenure.
"The Bobcats have great supporters (Dick and Verda McDonald and Doug and Marg Crandle, to name a few) and great sponsors with whom we share our successes."
For more information, please contact:
Rick Nickelchok
Athletic Director
Brandon University
Phone: 727 – 7405
Email: nickelchokr@brandonu.ca
Kelly Stifora
Communications Officer
Brandon University
Phone: 727 – 9762
Email: stiforak@brandonu.ca
"My family and I have thoroughly enjoyed our four years in Brandon and at the university," says Nickelchok. "We have made many friends who we will miss."
In further comments, Nickelchok puts particular stress on the accomplishments of the student-athletes and staff that he has worked with at BU:
"I am very proud of the accomplishments of our student athletes, the leadership of our coaches and the athletic program as a whole," says Nickelchok. "This past year was a memorable one for me where not only every student athlete at BU achieved academic success, but 84 percent had an average of C+ or higher and 55 percent achieved a B or higher. The silver medal won by our Men’s Basketball was an added bonus."
"We currently have three outstanding community conscious coaches and the best athletic therapist in the country," he continues. "Volleyball coaches Russ Paddock and Lee Carter have developed a solid base for their programs and should lead their teams into the playoffs this year while coach Hickson will be there in a couple of years. Not to be forgotten are the contributions of (former men's basketball) Coach Barnaby Craddock. Coach Craddock's leadership, character and team success brought visibility and pride to our university and the community."
Craddock announced his departure from BU in June 2007, and currently serves as the Head Coach of the University College of Fraser Valley men's basketball program.
Nickelchok also extends thanks to those who have supported Bobcats programming during his tenure.
"The Bobcats have great supporters (Dick and Verda McDonald and Doug and Marg Crandle, to name a few) and great sponsors with whom we share our successes."
For more information, please contact:
Rick Nickelchok
Athletic Director
Brandon University
Phone: 727 – 7405
Email: nickelchokr@brandonu.ca
Kelly Stifora
Communications Officer
Brandon University
Phone: 727 – 9762
Email: stiforak@brandonu.ca