Friday, August 15, 2014

Coaching Change at Lakehead University

Morrison Goes to NBADL With Celtics, Furtado Named LU Coach

August 15th, 2014

Author: Hugh Mullally
Lakehead Athletics will bid farewell to one its most successful coaches in recent times, as Scott Morrison will accept the head coaching role with the Maine Red Claws, the feeder team of the Boston Celtics. In his place, Athletics Director Tom Warden has hired Manny Furtado to lead the men’s basketball program.
Morrison worked as an assistant and scout with the Boston Celtics’ affiliate in Portland, Maine for the duration of the 2013-14 season. While coaching at Lakehead for 10 years, Morrison amassed a record of 185-174, with a Wilson Cup (‘12) and CIS Silver Medal (‘13) to his teams’ credit.
Sco_Mo_Rising
Scott Morrison opened the media conference with a word of thanks, saying, “Words cannot express the extreme gratitude I have in my heart for the entire Lakehead University community and especially our close knit family within the Thunderwolves Athletics Department. Not only did they provide me the best possible environment to succeed as a basketball coach but also supported me to a fault the entire way.

Looking towards the future, Manny Furtado, of Hamilton, Ontario, will bring a wealth of basketball experience to the Thunderwolves’ locker room. Furtado served as an assistant for the reigning CIS champion Carleton Ravens the past 2 seasons, and previously coached the Blessed Sacrament club team in Hamilton for nearly a decade, along with his former high school, St Mary’s Catholic Secondary.
Manny Furtado was introduced on Friday. “Scott has built a well respected program over the years,” says Furtado. “We need to begin laying the foundation for our season. I'm really looking forward to meeting the guys and support staff.
Morrison explained his decision, saying, “Despite the sadness I will feel when I leave Lakehead, it’s a major step in the direction of a place I have dreamed of since I was a small child getting buckets in the Morell High School gym. I’m excited for the new challenges as well as the chance to walk the same court as some of the greatest players and coaches of all time. I hope that the players, assistant coaches and supporters who have been dedicated to our cause here at LU will understand the decision I’ve made and root for me to succeed at the next level, much like I will be cheering them on for years to come.”
Manny_Aug15
Morrison continued, “I would be remiss to not thank our AD Tom Warden who has been the perfect boss for me to work for. He’s had my back through thick and thin and not once wavered from the promise he made to me in August of ‘03, that he would do everything in his power to help us win and for me to grow as a basketball coach.”
Athletics Director Tom Warden remarked, “Scott is deserving of everything he has earned as a basketball coach, and we wish him well and all the success in the world moving forward. Mr. Furtado is a competent replacement who will lead the team through an excellent season and run with the torch received from Scott today.”
Morrison is confident that Furtado will continue to build on the success of the program for years to come. “Coach Furtado is one of the hardest working coaches in the game, and has earned his chance to lead a team to competition. He is a student of the game, and will have the toughness, desire, and intensity required to continue to push Lakehead Basketball to the top of the OUA.”
In closing, Morrison added, “I’d like to extend a huge thanks to every player who has worn the Blue and White since I took this job. Also to  the assistant coaches who have worked with us have played a part in the team’s success. Especially Coach Matt Erdman who has been by my side since day 1, and Coach Mark English who has been with us during our stretch run.  We have many great memories to share and I appreciate everything they have done for the team.”

Last Edited: August 15th, 2014


Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Morrison Back with Canadian Juniors for FIBA Americas

Media Release
Lakehead University Athletics Department

www.thunderwolves.ca
Morrison Enters 3rd Campaign With Canadian JMNT
Canadian U18's to compete at FIBA Americas in Colorado Springs, June 20-24
June 11, 2014 — Thunder Bay, Ont.
For the third year in a row, men's basketball head coach Scott Morrison will be taking on an assistant's role with Canada's Junior Men's National Team (JMNT).

For the past two summers, Morrison has served as an assistant with the U18 JMNT program that placed 3rd at the FIBA Americas in Brazil ('12) and the subsequent U19 group that earned a 6th place finish at the FIBA world championships in Turkey ('13).

This year's instalment of the FIBA Americas U18 Championship will be hosted by USA Basketball at the U.S. Olympic Training Centre in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 20-24. It will also serve as the qualifier for next year's FIBA world championships.

"It is a major honour to be asked to work with the nation's best for a third consecutive summer," Morrison states. "Just like the previous years, training camp has been a grind, but an unparalleled experience working with a great staff and a top notch group of kids."

Morrison re-joined JMNT head coach Roy Rana and fellow assistant coach Kirby Shepp a few weeks back for initial workouts with the team in Toronto, as the roster comes into shape heading towards the FIBA tournament in 'The Centennial State'.

This year Canada's pool includes Brazil, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. On the other side are the USA, Uruguay, Mexico and Argentina. More info can be found on the FIBA Americas website.

Some high-profile names expected on this year's JMNT roster include 6'9" forward Chris Egi (Markham, Ont.) who is attending Harvard next year, and Montaque Gill-Caesar (Vaughan, Ont.), who attends famed Huntington Prep in West Virginia and will graduate in 2015.

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Morrison is grateful to be a part of a quickly-evolving scene around Canadian basketball that is getting more and more attention globally, and south of the border.

"Canada basketball is hot on the international scene right now and I am extremely excited to play a small part of the movement."

The Canadian JMNT has featured several high profile players in recent years during Morrison's tenure with the team, some of whom (A. Wiggins, T. Ennis) have taken their game all the way to the NCAA tournament and are poised to enter the NBA on draft day in 2 weeks.


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MEDIA:  For more information, or to request an interview, please contact Lakehead Sports Information Director, Hugh Mullally, at (807) 766-7157, or spinfo@lakeheadu.ca.
Lakehead University’s Athletics Department features a comprehensive Campus Recreation program across both its Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ontario campuses. Working hard to promote a healthy and active campus lifestyle, Campus Recreation provides a great selection of outdoor and indoor intramurals with its C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse (containing a 15,000 square foot Thunderdome gymnasium, state-of-the-art Wolves' Den fitness centre, 50-metre eight-lane swimming pool, cardio room, Kinesiology labs, squash court, and change rooms complete with saunas) and the 50,000 square foot ‘Hangar’ building (an athletic facility home to a 200-metre track, pro-grade artificial turf field, climbing wall, weight training, aerobic and cardio areas, as well as the University’s Sports Medicine Clinic) .

Friday, June 6, 2014

'WOLVES LAND HAMILTON PG

Media Release
Lakehead University Athletics Department

www.thunderwolves.ca
Ryan Doornick Commits to Lakehead
5'8" Hamilton guard now a Thunderwolf
June 5, 2014 — Thunder Bay, Ont.
In his latest recruiting announcement of the off-season, coach Scott Morrison of the men's basketball program has added Ryan Doornick of Hamilton, Ontario to the 2014-15 Thunderwolves roster.

"We're very excited to add Ryan to our roster," states Morrison. "He has proven to be an excellent person, student and the potential to be a very good basketball player. We expect him to fill the backup point guard role next season and develop as a player to be a major factor on our team during his entire career."

The speedy 5'8" guard will add depth at the point guard position, and comes from a winning tradition, both at the high school and the AAU club level. His Blessed Sacrament Yellow Jackets club team is currently undefeated vs. Canadian opposition, their only loss coming to the DeJuan Blair All-Stars at Pitt Jam in April of this year.

Doornick is currently averaging 17.5 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds for the Yellow Jackets, who are ranked #2 heading into the OBA tournament. Ryan has been a leader at his high school of St Thomas More, where he has been his team's captain for 5 years on top of earning other athletic honors.

Says Doornick, "I'm really excited to get working with the Lakehead team. They have a great group of guys who are dedicated to winning and I'm the same way. I'm looking forward to this season and playing in front of the great Thunderwolves crowd!"


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Profile: Ryan Doornick

Height: 5'8"
Position: Guard
Hometown: Hamilton
Program: English
Last team: St Thomas More HS/ Blessed Sacrament Club


Achievements/Stats:

- Blessed Sacrament stats: 17.5 ppg, 6 rpg, 6 apg
- HS Senior MVP 2014
- HS Athlete of the Year 2011
- HS Captain 5 years
- City Championship 2011


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MEDIA:  For more information, or to request an interview, please contact Lakehead Sports Information Director, Hugh Mullally, at (807) 766-7157, or spinfo@lakeheadu.ca.
Lakehead University’s Athletics Department features a comprehensive Campus Recreation program across both its Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ontario campuses. Working hard to promote a healthy and active campus lifestyle, Campus Recreation provides a great selection of outdoor and indoor intramurals with its C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse (containing a 15,000 square foot Thunderdome gymnasium, state-of-the-art Wolves' Den fitness centre, 50-metre eight-lane swimming pool, cardio room, Kinesiology labs, squash court, and change rooms complete with saunas) and the 50,000 square foot ‘Hangar’ building (an athletic facility home to a 200-metre track, pro-grade artificial turf field, climbing wall, weight training, aerobic and cardio areas, as well as the University’s Sports Medicine Clinic) .


-- 
Hugh Mullally
Sports Information Director
Lakehead University Athletics
Office: 807 766 7157

Sunday, June 1, 2014

DJ SMITH JOINS THUNDERWOLVES

Media Release
Lakehead University Athletics Department

www.thunderwolves.ca
East Coast All-Star DJ Smith Joins Thunderwolves
2012-13 CIS Rookie of the Year transfers from UPEI
May 29, 2014 — Thunder Bay, Ont.
Men's basketball coach Scott Morrison has landed another important piece for the longevity of the Thunderwolves' program: Deontay 'DJ' Smith, of North Preston, Nova Scotia.

"DJ's decision to join our program makes for an important addition for the future of the team," says Morrison. "DJ has been successful at all levels he has played, in part, because of an excellent natural feel for the game and versatile skill set."

The 6'0" guard is set to arrive in Thunder Bay after having played 2 years for the UPEI Panthers of the AUS, where he made a name for himself not only in the conference but across the country.

Smith was named CIS Rookie of the Year in 2012-13, a season in which he scored 17 points per game, along with 7 rebounds and 4.4 assists and led his team to a 13-7 regular season record.

Smith has been a leader since his basketball beginnings in Nova Scotia, playing with Citadel High in Halifax (under coaches Mark Parker and Ian McRae), and leading team Nova Scotia to a silver medal at the Canada Games in 2009.

DJ is due to sit out the mandatory year as a red shirt for the 2014-15 season.

Morrison is confident it will be worth the wait. "We will have to be patient and wait for one year to see him on Friday nights, but with a season in our practice system to develop his individual skills and learn how he can best fit with our system - he will be a worthy candidate to replace our current all-star Dwayne Harvey after his final season."


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(photo credit UPEI)

Profile: Deontay 'DJ' Smith
Height: 6'0 
Position: Guard 
Hometown: North Preston, NS
Program: General Arts

High School: Citadel HS
Last team: UPEI Panthers

Achievements/Stats:

- CIS ROY in 2012-13.  (17.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.4 agp)
- AUS First Team All-Star 2012-13, 2013-14 
- Silver Medal for N.S. in the 2009 Canada Games
- 3 years eligibility remaining



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MEDIA:  For more information, or to request an interview, please contact Lakehead Sports Information Director, Hugh Mullally, at (807) 766-7157, or spinfo@lakeheadu.ca.
Lakehead University’s Athletics Department features a comprehensive Campus Recreation program across both its Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ontario campuses. Working hard to promote a healthy and active campus lifestyle, Campus Recreation provides a great selection of outdoor and indoor intramurals with its C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse (containing a 15,000 square foot Thunderdome gymnasium, state-of-the-art Wolves' Den fitness centre, 50-metre eight-lane swimming pool, cardio room, Kinesiology labs, squash court, and change rooms complete with saunas) and the 50,000 square foot ‘Hangar’ building (an athletic facility home to a 200-metre track, pro-grade artificial turf field, climbing wall, weight training, aerobic and cardio areas, as well as the University’s Sports Medicine Clinic) .

-- 
Hugh Mullally
Sports Information Director
Lakehead University Athletics
Office: 807 766 7157

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Poirer 3rd in LU's 2014 Class

Media Release
Lakehead University Athletics Department

www.thunderwolves.ca
Men's Basketball Welcomes Michael Poirier
Mississauga guard arrives via Kiski prep and Elev8 Sports Institute
May 7, 2014 — Thunder Bay, Ont.
Coach Scott Morrison of the men's basketball team is pleased to announce the commitment of Michael Poirier, of Mississauga, Ontario. 

The freshman 6'5" wing player arrives via Kiski prep (Pennsylvania) as well as Elev8 Sports Institute (Florida).

Says Poirier, "I'm very excited to be a part of one of the strongest CIS basketball programs in the country, and I'm looking forward to playing in front of the most energetic crowd in the nation. I'm proud to finally be a member of the Thunderwolves family."

Poirier has also spent time on the AAU circuit with Grassroots Canada (Amateur Athletic Union).

Coach Morrison's effort to return his Thunderwolves to prominence in the OUA takes another step forward with the addition of Poirier. As Morrison states, "We're excited about Mike's potential as a big wing and outside shooting threat. He has some excellent players to develop alongside in practice and we hope he will emerge as a solid long term player for our program."

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Profile: Michael Poirier

Height: 6'5"
Position: Wing
Hometown: Mississauga, Ont.

Points per game: 15.0 (50% FG)
GPA: 3.8

Previous teams: Kiski prep (Penn.), Elev8 Sports Institute (Fla.), Grassroots Canada (AAU)


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MEDIA:  For more information, or to request an interview, please contact Lakehead Sports Information Director, Hugh Mullally, at (807) 766-7157, or spinfo@lakeheadu.ca.
Lakehead University’s Athletics Department features a comprehensive Campus Recreation program across both its Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ontario campuses. Working hard to promote a healthy and active campus lifestyle, Campus Recreation provides a great selection of outdoor and indoor intramurals with its C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse (containing a 15,000 square foot Thunderdome gymnasium, state-of-the-art Wolves' Den fitness centre, 50-metre eight-lane swimming pool, cardio room, Kinesiology labs, squash court, and change rooms complete with saunas) and the 50,000 square foot ‘Hangar’ building (an athletic facility home to a 200-metre track, pro-grade artificial turf field, climbing wall, weight training, aerobic and cardio areas, as well as the University’s Sports Medicine Clinic) .