Pischke's legendary coaching career honoured with Canada West Hall of Fame induction

Jan. 16, 2026 - A towering figure in Canada West volleyball history is set to take his place among the conference’s greatest coaching leaders.

Legendary Manitoba Bisons men’s volleyball head coach Garth Pischke will be formally honoured tonight, marking his induction into the Coach category of the Canada West Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2025-26.

Pischke will be recognized during a special pre-game ceremony prior to the Bisons’ home match against Saskatchewan, with first serve scheduled for 6 p.m. CT (stream live on Canada West TV - Powered by BioSteel).

Pischke joins the Canada West Hall of Fame in his first season of eligibility, a fitting distinction for one of the most accomplished and respected coaches in Canadian volleyball history. He served as head coach of the Bisons for a total of 38 seasons before retiring following the 2019–20 campaign.

A Winnipeg native, Pischke leaves behind an enduring legacy as one of the most impactful figures in the conference's volleyball history. His transition into coaching followed one of the most decorated playing careers in Canadian volleyball. As a middle blocker, he led the Winnipeg Wesmen to national championships in 1974 and 1977, before joining the Bisons and guiding the Herd to a national title in 1978. He also represented Canada at the Olympic Games in 1976 and 1984.

After taking over as the Bisons’ bench boss in 1979, Pischke led the program to 27 U SPORTS National Championship appearances, including an extraordinary stretch of 19 consecutive berths. His teams captured nine national titles, along with nine silver and five bronze medals, establishing Manitoba as one of the most consistent and successful programs in the country.

Beyond wins and championships, Pischke built a program rooted in academic achievement and national-team development. A six-time U SPORTS Coach of the Year, he retired with an overall coaching record of 1,361-419, sporting a remarkable 76.5% winning percentage.

Pischke is one of eight inductees into the Canada West Hall of Fame's Class of 2025-26 which was unveiled earlier this week. Individual inductee spotlights will continue throughout the remainder of the season.

Fans can view all previous Hall of Fame inductees on the Canada West Hall of Fame website.

Garth Pischke - Coach Category

Head Coach, Manitoba Bisons Men's Volleyball (1979-1996, 2000-20)

Garth Pischke leaves a legacy as one of the most accomplished and influential coaches in Canada West and Canadian volleyball history. He served as head coach of the Manitoba Bisons men’s volleyball program for a total of 38 seasons, beginning in 1979-80 and retiring following the 2019–20 campaign, establishing one of the most consistently successful programs in U SPORTS.

During his tenure, Pischke guided the Bisons to 27 U SPORTS National Championship appearances, including 19 consecutive national tournament berths and an unprecedented run of 14 straight medal finishes. Under his leadership, Manitoba captured nine national championships, nine silver medals, and five bronze medals, cementing the Bisons as a perennial national contender.

A six-time U SPORTS Coach of the Year, Pischke finished his career with an overall coaching record of 1,361–419, good for a remarkable 76.5 winning percentage. His 1,026 career wins against Canadian universities set a new U SPORTS record, and his impact extended well beyond wins and titles, with 42 of his student-athletes going on to represent Canada at the national-team level.

From 1996 to 2000, Pischke temporarily stepped away from the Bisons to serve as head coach of Canada’s National Men’s Volleyball Team, helping elevate the program from 21st to 10th in the world rankings.

Before his coaching career, the Winnipeg native enjoyed a distinguished playing career, winning national championships with the Winnipeg Wesmen in 1974 and 1977 and with the Bisons in 1978, while also representing Canada at the Olympic Games in 1976 and 1984.

Beyond the court, Pischke was a pioneer in advancing volleyball in Canada, playing a key role in the introduction and national adoption of statistical tracking in the sport through his leadership in the Men’s Volleyball Coaches Association. His lasting legacy is defined by excellence, innovation, and a commitment to developing student-athletes at the highest level.

ABOUT THE CANADA WEST HALL OF FAME

For the last century, organized university sport has been a central part of the student experience at institutions across Western Canada. Beginning with the University of Manitoba capturing the first Western Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union (WCIAU) men's hockey banner in 1919-20, student-athletes have been competing to reach their full potential in sport and the classroom, while enriching campus life. 

To commemorate 100 years of university sport across Western Canada, the Canada West Hall of Fame was created in the spring of 2019. This year's induction class will be unveiled throughout the 2025-26 season.