Gryphon Coach to Head National Basketball Team
April 14, 2008 - News Release
Chris O'Rourke, coach of the University of Guelph's men's basketball team, has been named the head coach of Canada's men's basketball team for the 25th Summer Universiade, set to take place July 1-12, 2009, in Belgrade, Serbia.
Last year, he coached the Canadian university basketball team to a bronze medal at the World Student Games in Thailand.
"I am very honoured to have been selected as head coach of the 2009 Universiade team," said O'Rourke. "We're looking to build on the success of last year's bronze medal. Our group will comprise talented, experienced players and we're hoping to show the world once again that Canada is a top contender."
Canada's men's basketball squad has been the country's most successful entry in team sports at the World University Games over the years, reaching the podium six times over the past nine Games.
O'Rourke has coached the Guelph Gryphons for 11 years and was the assistant coach from 1994 to 1997. In 2003, the team captured the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) title and won the silver medal at the Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) championships.
A U of G graduate, O'Rourke played for the Gryphons from 1989 to 1994 and was known as one of Canada’s premier 3-point shooters. His team won the OUA championships in 1989 and silver medals at the CIS tournament in 1990 and 1991.
O'Rourke also directs the Gryphon Basketball Camps; coached the Ontario Juvenile U17 team to two national titles in 2000 and 2001; and was the lead assistant coach of Canada’s Young Men’s National Program that captured a bronze medal at the 2005 U21 World Championships in Argentina.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, l.hunt@exec.uoguelph.ca or Deirdre Healey, Ext. 56982, d.healey@exec.uoguelph.ca.
