Fresh meat

By Kevin Rothbauer

Coming off a rebuilding year that saw them host their first playoff game in ten years, the Dinos men’s basketball team is continuing to improve over the off-season.


Head Coach Dan Vanhooren recently added top prospect Brendan Groat to his roster and landed local legend Wayne Thomas as an assistant coach.


Groat, a 6’5″ 18-year-old from Lloydminster, confirmed that he would be attending the U of C next fall. He led his high school team to a 26–6 record while putting up 23 points and 13 rebounds per game. Groat is also a two-time starter on the Alberta Under-17 team.


"Brendan Groat is extremely versatile," said Vanhooren. "He is an outstanding rebounder, an excellent shooter and superb defender with outstanding quickness for a player his size."


Wayne Thomas played with the Dinos from 1964 to 1967 and again in 1969–70. He has been a teacher for 30 years, coaching at Crescent Heights, Lord Beaverbrook, Western Canada and William Aberhart high schools, capturing 11 city titles and two provincial championships. He served with the Dinos as an assistant coach in 1989–90, and as interim head coach for 14 games while then-Head Coach Gary Howard was on sabbatical. At Aberhart, Thomas coached current Dinos John Riad and Chris Wright.


"Wayne brings experience and expertise to the Dinos coaching staff," Vanhooren stated. "In addition to a strong level of alumni and community connection to our program."