Longtime Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Athletic Director Ken Olynyk will be enshrined into the Canada West Hall of Fame.

Olynyk joined the UCC Sun Demons in 2003 and oversaw a pair of transitions – from the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) to U Sports, and from the Sun Demons to the WolfPack in 2005-06.

During his tenure Olynyk led the WolfPack to nine U SPORTS team national championship appearances, including three silver medal and a pair bronze medal performances. Over that time, over 400 student-athletes earned either PACWEST Academic Excellence or U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian honours.

“Obviously I’m happy with hosting national championships at all levels but I think probably I’m happiest about academic All-Canadian,” Olynyk told NL Sports. “We wanted them to have a great athletic experience while having a very sold academic experience.”

The WolfPack say Olynyk, who retired in 2017 after a 15 year career there, left a tremendous impact on Thompson Rivers University and the greater Kamloops community.

“Ken had an amazing career in university sport, and I am thrilled to see him inducted in the Canada West Hall of Fame,” TRU Director of Athletics and Recreation Curtis Atkinson said. “As an administrator and coach, Ken made incredible contributions at the team, school, conference, and national levels.”

“Above all else, Ken had an immeasurable impact on people by being a quality human being and leaving a legacy wherever he went. We are proud Ken is being recognized in this way and grateful for all that he has done for TRU and university sport.”

Prior to joining the WolfPack, Olynyk was a basketball coach with the both the Toronto Varsity Blues and the Lethbridge Pronghorns. His son, Kelly, graduated from South Kamloops Secondary School and is currently captain of the Canadian men’s basketball team.

He is the second member of the WolfPack to be inducted into the Canada West Hall of Fame, joining men’s volleyball standout Gord Perrin.

“The outcome is the outcome but the journey is the journey and I think we always were trying to pursue excellence. We were trying to purse to be the best,” Olynyk said, when asked what he’d like to be remembered for.

“I think that’s the key there. I would be very honoured to because I know some of people that they’ve recognized and the groups that they’ve recognized, and I’m honoured to be with that group.”