Alas! Tonight at iconic War Memorial Gymnasium the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds and Simon Fraser University Clan are set to clash in the quest for the Buchanan Cup for the first time in 5 seasons.
The cross town rivalry has long been a staple on the hoops scene in the Greater Vancouver area stretching back to November 22nd 1965. Past CIS MVP and former UBC Assistant coach Casey Archibald touched on how the rivalry has had no shortage of bad blood over the years, “The SFU student section was ruthless. The football players took it to the next level. Let’s just say they weren’t the nicest hecklers. With that being said it was always added motivation. It got to the point where I got to know a few of them and would chat before games. All in all my take is, the more hecklers, the better the atmosphere.” He continued to add, “I think we talked more trash in these games than any others combined.”
What makes tonight’s matchup especially significant beyond the long standing rivalry is that since the last showdown between the two foes in the 2010, SFU has since stepped into the realm of NCAA; the lone Canadian member.
Since the game’s last instalment, a certain lustre and excitement in the basketball community has been missing and support seems to be lukewarm, at best. The majority of other local ‘rivalries’ are created out of thin air and have never been held in the same regard as the one at hand.
“The fondest memories as a coach and a player was the intensity of the games in front of packed crowds. For years, the Buchanan Cup was the largest Hayes game of the year,” noted UBC All-time assist leader and long time bench boss Kevin Hanson. “These games are always intense and the atmosphere always electric. Alumni from both schools over the past 48 years attend the game and take pride in the results.”
Newly appointed SFU Head Coach touched on what the match-up means to his University:
“For SFU athletics, and SFU in general, we are 50 years younger and always regarded as the little sibling to UBC. Playing in different associations always creates good discussion in the basketball community regarding the merits of playing in the US versus playing in Canada. Personally it is important to reestablish something that has been a tradition between the two schools … I didn’t want to hide from this game.”
While it is to the surprise of none that Canadian sports do not garner the same attention nor adoration as their counterpart in the NCAA, it is not for lack of merit or talent. The two schools have long been the measuring stick for athletic excellence in the area for other universities and a platform for young athletes to be inspired and excited to play on home soil.
“What this game shows is the level of play at the CIS level and NCAA div 2 and how skilled and athletic these players actually are. It hopefully demonstrates to the numerous high school players that attend the game, that the level of play is much higher than they actually understand it to be,” Noted Hill again making reference to the importance of the matchup.
The matchup also transcended what happened on court as, traditionally, some of the best local talent was enticed into playing their post secondary career north of the border which has created not only rivalry on the court but also kinship off of it.
“Looking back I think the best part about it, is how I’ve become friends with past SFU players, done some business together, played men’s league with and against each other, and put all our past battles behind us. It’s great seeing SFU alumni doing so well in the community and seeing how we’ve all grown since the playing days yet will always have that connection,” Archibald added.
This matchup is definitely something we have all missed and hope will continue. We at Vancouver Basketball encourage all to come out and support tonight and help create the environment that has long encapsulated this rivalry. It is on us collectively to foster the environment which inspires our youth to want to stay home and play on Canadian soil. All it takes is getting to the War Gym tonight.
Tip off is set for 7:00 PM PST, see you there.
-Vancouver Basketball Family
SOURCE: VANCOUVER BASKETBALL NETWORK
COMMUNITY
