Novell Thomas is stepping down as head coach of the women's basketball team after nine years at the helm of the Brandon University Bobcats.
 
Thomas took the over coaching duties in 2012 and led the team by instilling a heavy emphasis on player development and a passion for growing the game of basketball in Brandon and the Westman region.
 
His contributions weren't limited to his role as head coach however, as he developed youth programming and taught during his time at BU.
 
"There is never a good time to say good-bye, especially when you are saying good-bye to great people, but I am stepping down for family reasons and will be moving back to B.C." says Thomas.
 
In his nine seasons as head coach he led the Bobcats back to the playoffs and earned a historic playoff win in 2017.
 
Under his guidance, Bobcat players earned multiple conference awards and academic all-Canadian distinctions.
 
Further to his team's on-court and classroom success, Thomas built successful basketball programs for youth in the region including the Westman Youth Basketball Association, the Junior Bobcats club program, and the Bobcats Basketball Academy.
 
"Getting to know the community through basketball has been absolutely awesome. Program participants who may have started at six years old are now teenagers and are still attending our programs faithfully. Establishing the programs and creating opportunities is a lot of work but seeing the smiles and enjoyment among the young kids is well worth the hours of volunteer efforts," Thomas adds.
 
Thomas adds the decision isn't one made lightly, as the bonds he's created with not only the community, but also the athletes and assistant coaches he's worked with directly have been incredible.
 
"I am leaving a group of players and volunteer coaches who I love and enjoy being around. Having to say good-bye to them is gut-wrenching. It's like saying good-bye to your 13 daughters and siblings."
 
"My legacy may not be winning a championship but hopefully a foundation has been built for the BU women's basketball program as well as a foundation for community youth basketball programs in the Westman region."
 
In his nine seasons at Brandon University, Thomas taught in the department of Physical Education and began advocating for social change with the launch of the Bobcats Assist program.
 
Thomas was also inducted into the Richmond Sports Wall of Fame in 2019 following his stand-out playing career with Simon Fraser University and the Canadian men's national team program.
 
"Novell's leadership and dedication have been second to none. He made it clear that he wanted to build a culture within his team based on character people while growing the game of basketball in our region. He's done both of those things in an exceptional manner, and we wish to thank him for his contributions," says Russ Paddock, BU Director of Athletics and Community Engagement.
 
Thomas' impact has been felt by both current and former players he led over the last nine years.
 
"Novell has been my coach since he recruited me out of high school and I can't imagine playing for anyone else," says Adrianna Proulx, fifth-year captain of the Bobcats.
 
"He's grown this program into something special. I'll never forget the impact he's had on me as a player and a person. He's taught us so much, not just about basketball, but valuable life lessons and how to strive to be the best we can be. He is going to be missed dearly, not only by our team but everyone at BU and the everyone in the community as well."
 
Thomas will complete the semester in BU's Faculty of Education as well as basketball programming currently underway.
 
The search for a replacement women's basketball coach will commence immediately.