Organizing a major sporting event is no minor task. When UFV hosted the Canada West Women’s basketball championships in February 2024, a small army of passionate people worked together to make it happen. 

They successfully organized the largest sporting event ever hosted by UFV, drawing more than 120 student athletes and 3,000 spectators to the Abbotsford campus over four action-packed days. The tournament put UFV squarely in the spotlight and drew overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants, alumni, volunteers, spectators, donors, sponsors, and the community. In recognition of this achievement, the organizing group is receiving a Teamwork award as part of UFV’s annual Employee Excellence awards.  

“The tournament was a tremendous undertaking for both our institution and our community, with planning stretching back over a year in advance,” explains Jordie Arthur, the communications coordinator for UFV Athletics and Campus Recreation. “An event like this would not have been possible without the efforts and passion of so many individuals within our department and the UFV community.” 

The organizing team saw Jordie joined by Steve Tuckwood (who recently left his UFV athletic director post for a new external job), Alicia Hurley, Grant Ammann, Breanne Cameron, Matt Chapdelaine, Stacie Dixon, Cheryl Johnson, Dan Nayebzadeh, and Lynda Seifred. Working long days — sometimes upwards of 18 hours — they collaborated with all areas of the university, engaging representatives from athletics, alumni relations, events management, ancillary services, the President’s office, the community engagement office, the VP Students office, food services, information technology, marketing, communications, and safety and security. 

They rallied around 100 volunteers from across the institution, calling upon students, staff, faculty, and administrators. Together, they staged 11 games across four days and cheered loudly as their UFV Cascades earned a third-place finish and a trip to the U SPORTS nationals. 

“People supported this event with whatever skills and abilities they had to offer and stepped into leadership positions to run the merchandise table, provide hospitality services, welcome and keep the participants and spectators safe, staff the concession, and whatever else was required,” wrote Dr. Shelly Canning in a letter supporting the award nomination. “Students were part of this effort too, seamlessly stepping into roles with high levels of responsibility and consequence and making us proud with every interaction.” 

Organizers seized the opportunity to pilot several innovative solutions, many of which have since been adopted for ongoing use. New technology was deployed to broadcast games internationally, and that remains in place. Improvements in merchandise sales, reception planning, and the extensive use of volunteers resulted in an exceptional experience for the participants and spectators. 

UFV women’s basketball coach Al Tuchscherer, who supported the award nomination, said every detail, from team accommodations to game scheduling, was handled with precision to ensure the athletes could focus entirely on their performance. 

“And the energy in the UFV Athletic Centre, driven by an engaged crowd and an electric home atmosphere, made for a truly unforgettable experience, he said” 

The tournament was preceded by a Cascades Hall of Fame induction ceremony, with more than 75 athletics alumni returning to campus for the event. The tournament also served as a soft launch for UFV’s 50th anniversary celebrations. 

From start to finish, the event provided organizers and volunteers with a moment of pride, and a shared experience that they’ll remember fondly for years to come. 

“This event was a huge success because of a team that really put time and thoughtful consideration into all of the details, including the unseen aspects,” said associate director of athletics Alicia Hurley. “It allowed us to elevate what we do already, push it to the next level, and showed UFV can host conference events of this standard.” 

Photo album from the 2024 Canada West final four tournament