By Lambda Staff
Mike Clarke will no longer serve as head coach of the Laurentian Lady Vees basketball team this upcoming season, instead taking on the role as coordinator of athletics and campus recreation. Former associate coach to both the men’s and women’s programs, Jason Hurley has been promoted to head coach of the women’s basketball program, replacing Clarke.
A portion of Clarke’s new duties include overseeing and developing both the intramural program and the Voyageurs Sports Academy camp program.
Hurley steps into the head coach role after serving as an associate coach for the past two seasons to both the men’s and women’s programs. A former player for the Voyageurs from 1992 to 1997, Hurley has experience on the sidelines as he worked under former Laurentian coach, Peter Campbell at Wilfrid Laurier for two seasons before moving back to Sudbury in 2008. Upon his return to Sudbury, he joined the men’s coaching staff as an assistant under Shawn Swords and helped re-build the team to a contender in the OUA East division.
Longtime men’s assistant coach, Ken Wallenius, will be moving into the associate coach position vacated by Hurley. Wallenius joined the men’s staff seven years ago as an assistant under Swords.
Hurley said he is “excited for the challenge to lead such a storied and historical program. I am also very proud and humbled to welcome back to the program two Laurentian greats, Shirlene McLean and Angie MacDonald as assistant coaches. Also returning to the staff are Bill Gordon and Ken Wallenius.”
Peter Hellstrom, Laurentian’s athletic director, is pleased with the addition to his team.
“With the growth in the varsity athletics and campus recreation programs over the last few years, we needed to add some capacity to help support the continued growth. Having Mike step up to the Coordinator role is a big plus for the Voyageurs and Laurentian as a whole.”
Regarding Hurley’s appointment, Hellstrom shared, “Jason has been a member of our coaching staff for the last five years, and he has earned the chance to step out of the associate coach role and into a head coach position. I have no doubt that Jason’s coaching experience coupled with his extensive resume on the court, including playing professionally in Europe, that he will lead the women’s program to great successes.”