After 13 seasons of unprecedented success, Carleton Ravens men’s basketball coach Dave Smart may be running out of room in his trophy cabinet. If so, it may be time to get a new one.
For the fifth time in his career, Smart was awarded the Stuart W. Aberdeen Memorial Trophy as the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) coach of the year March 8 in Halifax, putting him alone atop the all-time list for CIS coaching.
Smart also took home the award last season, making him the first person to win consecutive Aberdeen trophies since former University of British Columbia Thunderbirds basketball coach Bruce Enns did so in 1990 and 1991.
Under Smart’s guidance, the Ravens were once again head and shoulders above the rest of the nation this season. The defending CIS champions led the country in most major categories, scoring 94.9 points per game and hitting 52.4 per cent of their field goals. But in true Smart fashion, it was on defence where the team dominated, giving up only 56.6 points per game.
The honour is just another feather in the cap for Smart, who has enjoyed a banner year both on and off the court.
In the past 12 months, Smart has led his team to a perfect 22-0 regular season, while adding a seventh Wilson Cup title to his impressive resume. In addition, he made his mark on the national stage, coaching Team Canada during the 2011 Pan American Games.
But Smart’s most important achievement of the past year didn’t involve his powerhouse basketball program. In February, Smart and his wife welcomed their second child into the world, a baby boy.
What better way to finish off an incredible year than with yet another W.P McGee Trophy?
