By Holly Klein-Swormink
The Carleton community turned out on Friday, April 1 to celebrate the men’s basketball team’s sixth straight CIS Championship win – their 12th win in 14 years.
After a tumultuous season where the Ravens entered the championship tournament in second place, the team pulled off yet another win on Sunday, March 20 in front of a record-breaking crowd of more than 4,700 people.
The Ravens beat the Calgary Dinos 101-79 to win the W.P. McGee Trophy.
“This is a very special win,” said Athletics Director Jennifer Brenning. “The team was supposed to be in a rebuilding year. As well, Head Coach Dave Smart has taken this past year to be with his young family. So the rebuild included many ups and downs, (including losses) to both University of Ottawa and Ryerson twice this season.
“Overcoming this adversity with another win and title is absolutely remarkable.”
With the run of six consecutive CIS titles, Carleton beat its previous record of five straight titles set from 2003 to 2007. This win, the 12th championship in total for Carleton, has also extended the Ravens lead as the men’s basketball team with the most CIS titles to its name.
“I really enjoyed coaching this team,” said Interim Head Coach Rob Smart. “There were some serious ups and downs. We kind of expected that with so many new players, but I think our young guys brought a really great attitude…The older guys brought an attitude that they weren’t going to stop until they got what they wanted and they did a great job instilling that throughout the team.”
Smart also spoke about his appreciation for the culture at Carleton and for the unconditional support their team received from the community.
President Roseann O’Reilly Runte congratulated the team and expressed her gratitude for how well the players, coaching staff and Athletics Department represented Carleton throughout the journey to another championship.
“It is April Fool’s Day but it is no joke that we’re celebrating excellence, it is no joke that the people behind me deserve your applause and they’ve won it the hard way,” said Runte.
Sunday, April 3, 2016 in News Releases
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