Coach K honored for CIS record-breaking win

Veteran X-Men basketball head coach Steve Konchalski was honored Friday night at the StFX Oland Centre for his recent record-breaking milestone of becoming the CIS all-time career leader in wins.

StFX Director of Athletics & Recreational Services Leo MacPherson and StFX Vice President, Recruitment & Student Experience Keith Publicover were on hand to present Coach Konchalski with a framed commemorative print in recognition of the record-breaking event.

Coach K earned his record-breaking 735th career win on November 6th in a 94-83 victory at UPEI, and in doing so passed the previous record holder from Brandon University, Jerry Hemmings. Friday’s game was the first one played at home at since the record-breaking event and StFX hosted a pre-game ceremony at 7:35 pm to honor Coach K, who added to his win total later in the evening with an 89-72 win over the visiting Acadia Axemen.

Director of Athletics Leo MacPherson addressed the packed gymnasium of StFX supporters, as did Vice President Publicover, StFX Alumni Association President Ed McHugh, StFX Student Union President Sandy MacIntosh, X-Men Booster Club President Rob Wolf and Past President of Basketball Nova Scotia Mike Brien.

Brien presented Coach K with a gift on behalf of Basketball Nova Scotia, as did Acadia Axemen head coach Steve Baur on behalf of Acadia University, Konchalski’s alma mater as a player. The commemorative print presented to Coach K by StFX University was the same graphic on posters distributed to the first 735 fans at the X-Men game. StFX corporate partner Central Home Improvement donated a $735 gift certificate for a lucky fan.

Coach Konchalski is currently in his 35th season with the StFX X-Men.