TRU to celebrate CW Hall of Fame induction of Ken Olynyk

Nov. 28, 2024 – Celebrated athletic director Ken Olynyk is set to be acknowledged by the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack on Friday night, as the program celebrates his induction into the Canada West Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024-25.

The celebration will take place as the WolfPack basketball teams take on the visiting Saskatchewan Huskies at the Tournament Capital Centre. The women's game will tip-off at 5:30 p.m. PT, with the men to follow at 7:30 p.m. PT.

Serving at the helm of the WolfPack for over 15 years, Olynyk's induction into the Canada West Hall of Fame recognizes his long-lasting legacy while guiding the TRU athletics department through some of the most important years in its history. Notably, he oversaw the transition of the department from CCAA to CIS (U SPORTS) competition, and led the department to nine U SPORTS team national championship appearances, including three silver medals and a pair of bronze medal performances.

He also pushed the WolfPack to become active leaders in the Kamloops community during his tenure, helping the athletic department raise countless dollars to support community initiatives.

Canada West unveiled its entire Hall of Fame Class of 2024-25 earlier in September. Individual inductee spotlights will continue throughout the season.

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

Ken Olynyk - Builder Category

The man at the helm for over 15 years, there can be no doubt that Ken Olynyk left a tremendous impact on Thompson Rivers University, the WolfPack and the greater Kamloops community. With a long-lasting legacy that includes guiding the department through some of the most important years in its history, Olynyk laid the foundation for what the WolfPack are today and what they will be for years to come.

Joining the UCC Sun Demons in 2003, Olynyk oversaw not just the transition of the department from CCAA to CIS (U SPORTS) competition, but also led the way when the Sun Demons became the WolfPack in 2005-06. During his tenure Olynyk led the department to nine U SPORTS team national championship appearances, including three silver medals and a pair of bronze medal performances. He also helped the WolfPack successfully host four U SPORTS National Championships.

In the community, Olynyk pushed the WolfPack to become leaders in both Kamloops and beyond with the athletic department raising countless dollars to support numerous community initiatives.

Holistic student-athlete success was always important to Olynyk. Over his time with the WolfPack, over 400 student-athletes earned either PACWEST Academic Excellence or U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian honours.

In addition to his accomplishments as an administrator, Olynyk was a successful coach and mentor for countless numbers of Canada West student-athletes. As a coach he won four CW medals, including a CW championship with the Lethbridge Pronghorns men's basketball team in 1985-86. He also served as head coach of the TRU women's basketball team twice in 2004-05 and 2021-22, and the UBCO Heat men's basketball team in 2018-19.

On the national stage, he coached Team Canada at youth levels and served as an assistant coach of the senior men's national team. He also guest coached with the Toronto Raptors in 2003-04.

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.