Trinity Western celebrates Hall of Fame induction of Jacob Doerksen

Feb. 7, 2025 - One of the most dominant men's basketball players in Canada West history is set to be celebrated by the Trinity Western Spartans this weekend, as they recognize the legacy of former star Jacob Doerksen.

Doerksen was one of the most dominant men's basketball players of his generation, accomplishing the rare feat of being named a five-time Canada West All-Star. He spent his first two seasons with the University of Victoria, making an instant impact as the CIS Rookie of the Year in 2005-06. He transferred to Trinity Western University for his final three seasons, leading the Spartans to one of the most successful eras of their history.

He was named Canada West and U SPORTS Player of the Year in 2008-09, and led the team to their first CIS Final 8 appearance in his senior season in 2010-11. The team would reach the national championship final that season, earning a national silver medal.

Canada West unveiled its entire Hall of Fame Class of 2024-25 earlier in September.

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

Jacob Doerksen - Student-Athlete Category

Starring for both the Victoria Vikes (2005-07) and the Trinity Western Spartans (2008-11), Doerksen was one of the most dominant men's basketball players of his generation. He accomplished the rare feat of being named a five-time Canada West All-Star, including receiving four first team nods.

The Abbotsford, B.C. product played his high school basketball at Rick Hansen Secondary School, where he was named the British Columbia High School Male Athlete of the Year in 2005. The six-foot-seven forward began his university career with the University of Victoria, bursting onto the Canada West scene with a dynamic debut season. He led the Vikes to a conference title that year, reaching the CIS final before ultimately earning a national silver medal. He won the Dr. Peter Mullins Trophy as CIS Rookie of the Year and was a CIS tournament all-star. In his second year at Victoria, Doerksen averaged a team-high 14 points a game.

He took his game to another level after joining Trinity Western for the 2007-08 season, being named Canada West and U SPORTS Player of the Year in 2008-09. He led the Spartans to their first CIS Final 8 appearance in his senior season in 2010-11, helping Trinity Western reach the national championship final.

He racked up 1,852 points in three years as a Spartan, placing himself second on the all-time TWU scoring list at the time of his graduation. His 781 rebounds were also second-most all time in Spartans history.

“Jacob was a game changer both literally and figuratively for Trinity Western men’s basketball. His combination of athleticism, will to win and the ability to make those around him better was key to the success of this era of basketball at TWU.” - Jeff Gamache, TWU Director of Athletics

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 2023-24 season.