National Coaches Week

As post-secondary institutions across the country celebrate their sports bench boss, Lakeland College joins the movement in putting the spotlight on the Rustlers bench bosses.

National Coaches Week trended on social media this week, highlighting the accomplishments and impact that these men and women have on young athletes. The Rustlers coaching staff exemplifies that movement.

"We believe we have a great group of leaders within our coaching ranks at Lakeland," Manager of Athletics Operations Kevin Wagner said.

Five Rustler coaches have been at Lakeland now for at least a decade, two of which (curling's Dusty Makichuk and rowing's Peter Walsh) have been at Lakeland longer than 20 years. Of the four more recent hires, each of them still brings plenty of experience and history to their role.

Soccer coaches Doyle Church and Hani Tekheste played with distinction for the men's program prior to taking on their roles. Hockey's Morgan Mann has long been a part of women's hockey in the area before quickly helping guide the Rustlers into a championship team is just a few years. And new women's basketball coach Todd Warnick has more than 20 years' experience in collegiate hoops, coaching against Lakleand at the head of the NAIT Ooks program.

Between volleyball's Austin and Taylor Dyer, men's basketball Sheray Thomas, Warnick, Mann and Makichuk, there's 11 coach of the year awards, five CCAA Championships and additional national medals, more than a dozen ACAC Championships and another dozen conference medals. However, Wagner noted what the staff brings to their role as mentors to the Rustler players is what is most valuable, helping them to succeed with within Lakeland's three pillars.

"Our coaches show confidence in our student athletes in efforts that each athlete see's what they can be and can accomplish, guiding them to their full potential," Wagner said. "Be it within their sport, the classroom, or community."

This is shown in the work Rustler athletes have done in the community, with several coaching club volleyball, basketball and soccer teams, as well as working in camps and programs for each of Lakeland's sports.

Each coach can be found in action this coming month, with soccer moving through the fall season, volleyball, hockey and basketball into preseason, rowing training for multiple events and curling set to hold their information night Sept. 23.