BRANDON - Souris-born Debbie Baker (nee Morris) was motivated to succeed in sports and thanks to perseverance and dedication she did just that during her time as a Bobcat.

Then women's Athletic Director Nancy Stanley played an instrumental part in bringing Baker to BU where she excelled in field hockey and basketball from 1975-1980.

"It was really because of the sports that I decided to enroll at Brandon University and see where that would take me."

Baker's tenure with the BU women's basketball team was tested with adversity, but the challenges only fuelled her strength as a competitor.

"After a couple of really rough seasons and only seven players on the team, you had to battle really hard everyday. I took that with me through all my years of playing at BU."

In 1976-77, Baker was co-winner of BU's Female Athlete of the Year award. However, she did not get the chance to build off that success after being forced to the sidelines for the entire 1977-78 season due to injury.

Instead, Baker put her strong leadership skills on display as an assistant coach with the women's basketball team. She also credits longtime Athletic Therapist Steve Dzubinski in helping her on the road to recovery.

"It was traumatic for me at the time because I did not want to miss a season. It was not a major thing; I had the meniscus removed in my right knee. Steve was very instrumental in helping me rehabilitate and I certainly appreciated his efforts."

Baker did not miss a beat when she returned to the Bobcats lineup in 1979-80. She guided the basketball team to their best-ever season at the time in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. Brandon posted a 9-and-7 GPAC record and Baker finished third in the conference in defensive rebounds.

"We were able to get some recruits that had some talent and that really helped to spark everyone's feeling about the game. I think I have always been a hard worker and committed to trying to be a good team player. We seemed to gel and found some success."

Success for Baker at BU reached its pinnacle at the end of the season when she became the first-ever recipient of the prestigious H. Stewart Perdue Memorial Award for sportsmanship.

"Shock was my first reaction. You are sitting there and are happy for all the award winners and then all of a sudden they call your name and this look of disbelief comes over your face."

"At the time, you do not really think about it, but as the years have gone by it has become a very special thing."

The Baker connection to the Bobcats tops all the accolades. Daughters Kellie and Jodie continued the family tradition by playing Canada West volleyball at BU.

"I take tremendous pride in that. There is nothing more special then watching my girls play and following in my footsteps. They both got to play in the Healthy Living Centre and Kellie also experienced the Henry Champ Gym where I played all my years."

The Baker sisters echo those sentiments.

"When I was first deciding where to go, having Kellie as a teammate and my mom as an alumni was something really exciting," said Jodie. "It was really cool for us all to be able to play at BU."

"I was privileged enough to have her support at every game and her competitive nature instilled in me," said Kellie.

Debbie has displayed those same leadership skills in the Brandon School Division for the past 37 years. She spent 14 years at Harrison, one year at Waverly Park and the past 22 at Kirkcaldy.

"The kids, they bring out the best and the worst in you at times. You start each day with a fresh slate, whatever happened the day before you try to learn from it and try to improve on it and see how you can help the kids."

The sporting spotlight also shines on Baker beyond BU, which includes induction into the Softball Manitoba Hall of Fame in 2009.

Baker started playing competitively at the age of 13 with her hometown Souris Blues senior ladies team. She later joined the Winnipeg-based Smitty's Terminators and won numerous western Canadian championships. She also gives back to the game by grooming the next generation of stars by having served on the coaching staff of the Westman Magic.

"One special time was when Kellie and I played in a western Canadian together in Carnduff, Sask. She was only 15 at the time and we picked her up to play."

Debbie seemed destined to excel at any sport she picked to play. Field hockey with the Bobcats even left its mark on her memory bank.

"It was a grueling sport. That is a really tough game. If you have not played it then you would not understand. I remember taking a penalty corner on the chin and that ball is made of solid wood. I had a bone bruise for months. Everyone thought I had ink on my chin. I will not forget that for a while."

Looking back on the trail she blazed as a Bobcat, Baker's best memories were the ones built off the field.

"The camaraderie amongst all the teams and the friendships made. I continue to be in touch with a lot of those people. I consider many of those to be lifelong friends."