The first national championship banner in the history of the UNBC basketball program is about to be elevated to its permanent home.
Before the UNBC men's team plays its home-opening game Friday night at the Northern Sport Centre, the banner the squad won at the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association national championship tournament last March in Calgary will be raised high for all to see. As well, team members will be presented with their national championship rings.
UNBC players who achieved All-Canadian status last season will also be recognized on Friday night.
"Obviously I'd like to pack the NSC for this," said Jason Kerswill, athletics and recreation coordinator at UNBC. "It's a special moment for UNBC. The community was behind this team all last year so hopefully they're there to witness the formality of getting the banner up. It should be a good evening."
So far this season, the Timberwolves stand at 4-0. Their Friday opponent, the Vancouver Island University Mariners, boast the same record. At the end of last regular season, the T-wolves swept the Mariners in a doubleheader at the NSC and, in the provincial playoffs, beat them in the championship game.
All those factors -- present and past -- should make for a terrific night of basketball.
"The last couple of years it has developed into a nice rivalry," said UNBC coach Todd Jordan.
"They create some problems for us because they do have some size and they're extremely tough defensively and a physical basketball team. It's going to be a really good challenge for us and you couldn't ask for a better or more exciting match-up for the fans."
The UNBC and VIU women's teams will start the night off by battling each other. The T-wolves take a 2-2 record into the game, while the Mariners come in at 4-0. Tip-off is planned for 6 p.m.
The men's game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. but, because of the banner-raising and presentations, may get going a little later.
