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| Above: Members of the York sports community gather for a group photo with retiring head basketball coach Bob Bain. Photo by Jennifer Brailsford. |
The longest-serving head coach at York University hung up his clipboard on Saturday, Feb. 20, after an illustrious 37-year career leading the York men’s basketball team. Bain was at the helm for the last time on Saturday evening during the Lions’ regular-season finale against the visiting Laurentian University Voyageurs.
Left: Bob Bain laughs during presentation by Jennifer Myers, director of Sport & Recreation. Photo by Jennifer Brailsford.
During his tenure, Bain’s teams made the playoffs 33 times. He led York to 11 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East Division championships, six OUA championships and eight Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) championship appearances, where his teams won a pair of bronze medals. He has twice been named CIS coach of the year and is a nine-time OUA coach of the year award winner.
“Bob has been a tremendous leader in his 37 years with the York men’s basketball team,” said Jennifer Myers, director of Sport & Recreation. “His teams’ results speak volumes of his expertise in the sport, but what he will be remembered for most is his ability to assist student-athletes both on and off the court. Bob has guided hundreds of young men through their university years and has helped them to grow as players on the court and as men in life. He will be missed by everyone in Sport & Recreation, but we wish him the best of luck in his much-deserved retirement."
Following Saturday’s game, a ceremony and reception were held in the Upper Gym at the Tait McKenzie Centre to celebrate the legendary coach. A formal retirement event for Bain is being planned for a later date.