Coach K Classic: From Class Project to Community Impact
/The third annual Coach K Classic basketball game was successfully hosted by fourth-year Sports Marketing students: Courtney Gottselig, Blake Cooper, Travis Michaluk, Cole McLeman, Josh Drysdale, Thompson Petten-Shand, and Meghan Cole, in collaboration with StFX Athletics and the local community. This exciting event featured a matchup between alumni and current players from both the men’s and women’s teams.
The Coach K Classic brings together StFX alumni and current basketball players for a competitive and engaging showdown, all while raising funds for Antigonish Minor Basketball. The event has a meaningful impact on the community by helping ensure young athletes have the opportunity to participate in basketball regardless of financial barriers. Funds raised go toward purchasing equipment, providing registration support, and expanding access to practices and programming for local youth.
“To me, the Coach K Classic became something much bigger than a class project. It was an opportunity to be part of something meaningful and to give back to a community that has given so much. Seeing past and current StFX athletes, students, and community members come together to give back and enjoy the energy of the game was incredibly special. It reminded me how powerful sport can be in bringing people together and fostering a sense of community. I’m really proud of what we accomplished, and I hope next year’s class continues to build on it and make it even bigger and better.”
- Meghan Cole (event coordinator)
With generous community support, several raffle prizes were made available thanks to sponsors including Oak Manor, Cameron Jewellery, Starbucks, The Trap, Paw Pad Retreat, StFX athletics, Micro Hotel, and Kenny’s Pizza. The event also featured a halftime show with Antigonish Minor Basketball’s U12 teams, highlighting the young athletes who benefit directly from this initiative.
On the court, the current X-Men and X-Women players battled hard against the alumni in a close and exciting game, finishing with a final score of 95-92.
“This is my third year playing in the Coach K Classic game and it is more than just a simple basketball game for me. It’s about showing the spirit of the game and the community behind it, by bringing together the men and women, both past and present. I had such a great time laughing, competing, and connecting while being apart of something truly special that goes beyond the game itself” - Kristine Cooper (current X-Women basketball player).
The objective of this class project is to plan and market an event that raises funds for charity. Originally created a few years ago, the Coach K Classic continues to grow as students
carry on the tradition and build on its success. This year’s event raised an incredible $4,500, the highest total in the past three years, highlighting its ongoing impact and success within the community.
