Brandon University Athletics Media Release BRANDON – Interim head coach Kevin Neufeld has assembled his coaching staff with well-rounded volleyball minds from various backgrounds for the upcoming season. Two of the four are familiar faces to the local volleyball scene, while two are up and coming coaches who bring experience both on the court and on the sidelines. Bryce Wilson will serve on a fulltime basis for the 2017-18 Canada West season, while Derek Richels will help out for the duration of the pre-season with his wife expecting their second child. "Those two are tremendous coaches and they are playing a vital role in growing the game," said Neufeld. The trio has worked together at countless championships including an international one back in 2010 when the Brandon-based Storm under-18 girls' team represented Canada at the NORCECA women's junior championship. Neufeld served as head of delegation while Richels and Wilson coached the club at the tournament in Tijuana, Mexico. Current Bobcat star Mary Thomson got the chance to represent her city and country at the tournament. She believes BU can benefit by having all three working together once again. "What these three bring together as a coaching group is remarkable. Brandon and western Manitoba has produced many athletes that have reached the U SPORTS level and that is a direct reflection of the coaching they have provided," said Thomson. Richels and Wilson credit Neufeld for helping fuel their drive for success. Wilson co-coached the Crocus Plainsmen to a 4A varsity girls' provincial title in 2009 while Richels led Manitoba to a gold medal at the 2012 National Team Challenge Cup. Both echo the same sentiments when it comes to being Bobcats alongside Neufeld. "I got my coaching start through Kevin and he has been a mentor for me. I have learned from him and when this offer came up to help coach, I did not have to think twice about it. I want to help Kevin be successful and return the favour," said Wilson. "It is nice to pay him back because he has done so much for my coaching career. He has always placed a lot of trust in me and has been a real good mentor," added Richels. Joining Neufeld, Richels and Wilson on staff are Tommy Sloan and Loren White. Sloan comes to BU after serving as head coach of the Keyano Huskies women's volleyball team in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference. He also played on the men's team at Keyano and was named an ACAC All Academic and conference all-star. "The opportunity to coach student-athletes at the university level is exciting. We have a young and talented group of players and I am looking forward to working with them. I felt it was the right time in my life and in my development as a coach to make a move like this," said Sloan. "I am really looking forward to working with Kevin and the rest of the staff." White is returning to the Bobcats for a third straight season as an assistant. Before BU, she played NCAA Division 1 volleyball with the University of Central Florida Knights. "Loren might be the most critical of all of those," said Neufeld. "Having a female assistant was important to me, she is a true professional and connects well with our student-athletes." The Bobcats begin their 2017-18 regular season by visiting the Manitoba Bisons with opening weekend scheduled for October 20-21. BU's first home matches are October 27-28 against the Saskatchewan Huskies  

Welcome to the Wheat City's first annual 5km fun run put on by Anytime Fitness Brandon. This event is hosted by Grand Valley Campground. The course features hilled terrain, mud, a maze, inflatable obstacles, agility obstacles, a foam finish and much more! We encourage everyone to challenge yourself, have fun, complete the 5km and try all obstacles. This is open to all fitness levels. Upon completion of the race, we invite you for refreshments at our Farmery Beer Garden, where all proceeds will go to Brandon's own Boyd Stadium. You must be 18+ years to enter the Beer Gardens. Farmery Gardens will be open at 12:00pm. Food and concessions available (proceeds to Boyd Stadium). Prizes will be awarded for best dressed indvidual and best dressed team. Get creative. (Hint: Captain Running Man and Xpressa are the Anytime Fitness mascots). The more fun we see you having, the more prizes we will hand out. You must be at 12 years old to participate. Participants under the age of 18 must have a signed parental consent. All participants will be required to sign a consent waiver. The event will go on rain or shine. More mud means more fun! If you wish to continue your fun after the run, campsites are available through Grand Valley Campground at a rate of $10/person. Camping is for 18+ only and space is limited. Please email grandvalleyprovincialpark@gmail.com to register . There are a limited number of tickets available so sign up early and take advantage of the Early Bird Rate. Spectators are welcome to watch for free and if over the age of 18, you are also welcome to join us at the Farmery Beer Gardens.

Wrestling fans in Manitoba will be happy as today the WWE announced they were returning to Winnipeg in the fall.  Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt, Dean Ambrose, Cesaro and Sheamus, Alexa Bliss, Bayley, The Hardy Boys, Enzo and Big Cass, Sasha Banks were among the WWE Superstars named as appearing at the Bell MTS Place on Saturday, September 30th.   The WWE was last in Winnipeg of February of this year. Tickets go on-sale 10:00 am Friday morning.  Tickets for the big show start as low as $20 and can be purchased via ticketmaster, the Bell MTS Place box office, or charge-by-phone at 1-855-985-5000.

BRANDON – Manitoba's gridiron community is rallying around Brandon University's football reunion. The Crocus Plainsmen, Neelin Spartans and Vincent Massey Vikings will pay homage with Homecoming games on Friday, October 13 to officially kick off the weekend celebration. Neelin will host the River East Kodiaks at 1:30 p.m., while Vincent Massey entertains Crocus at 3:30 p.m. in a clash of crosstown rivals. Both are Winnipeg High School Football League regular season games. Vincent Massey is led by coach Mike Steeves, the son of BU Sports Wall of Famer Doug Steeves. Doug coached Bobcat football and served as Athletic Director. He later formed all three Brandon high school teams. "Our family and football have a long history together and our Brandon roots start at BU.  Football has always been in my life and some of my earliest memories are based around the Bobcat football team," said Mike Steeves. "BU football laid the foundation for football in this community and began the growth of this wonderful sport in this region. Many players from those BU teams have helped grow the sport throughout Manitoba and Canada and football continues to flourish because of their efforts." The Spartans have a strong connection to this year's Wall of Fame induction class with Peter Hagberg having coached the team following his days with the Bobcats. Hagberg is a former BU football MVP and guided Neelin to an undefeated season in 1981, which included capturing the SouthWest Football League championship and a provincial title. "We know this event will have a big impact on our community and our team is privileged to have a role in the reunion," said Spartans' coach Rob Cullen. "Mr. Hagberg was an impactful coach at Neelin and we are excited to honour his return to our community." The Rural Manitoba High School Football League will also be highlighted as part of BU's football reunion. On Saturday, October 14, the Neepawa Tigers will take on the Swan Valley Tigers at 1:30 p.m. at Vincent Massey. The RMFL game will follow Saturday's Wall of Fame induction ceremony where former Neepawa coach and Bobcat star Lorne Lagimodiere will be also recognized. Lagimodiere led the Tigers to seven championships over his 17 years at the helm of the program. In his final season, Neepawa won the league title with an undefeated record in 2003. "An opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate an exceptional educator and football coach such as Lorne is an honour," said Neepawa manager Dale Swanton. "Neepawa Area Collegiate has a storied football history in the RMFL thanks to Lorne's contributions." There is an impressive list of former College Caps and Bobcats who coached at the grassroots level. Teaming up with the Winnipeg High School Football League and the Rural Manitoba High School Football League is an important step to bridge the gap. "We really want to stress the fact that our football reunion is more than just a Brandon University celebration, this is an event that all of Manitoba can get behind," said Athletic Director Russ Paddock. "The Caps and Bobcats football era was a great one in the province." "It is an honor for us to help celebrate this great sport with these football pioneers and legends," added Steeves. "Without their efforts and sacrifices, football in this area would not have been as successful and numerous athletes would have missed out on the positive benefits of the sport." Over 200 football alumni have been invited to attend the reunion, which coincides with Homecoming 2017, which will take place from October 12-15, with events across the campus. For more details on Homecoming 2017 events, visit BrandonU.ca/Homecoming.

On Twitter one day, we stumbled on something new in Brandon, Caswell’s Wiffleball League. Now you might be sitting there asking yourself, “What on earth is this.” According to Wikipedia “Wiffle ball is a variation of the sport of baseball designed for indoor or outdoor play in confined areas. The game is played using a perforated, light-weight, resilient plastic ball and a long, typically yellow, plastic bat.” Carthy Caswell, a young up and coming entrepreneur, had a vision to start what he believes is one of the only Wiffleball League’s in Manitoba.  He, and his family, built an official Wiffleball diamond in the family’s back yard which eventually led to Carthy wanting to start a league here in Brandon.  (Video of Caswell Field) BDNMB had a chance recently to witness a game and following the game, I sat down with Carthy to find out some more information about his league. BDNMB – Explain to us what wiffleball is? Carthy – It is basically like baseball. It’s really close to the same rules except we use a wiffleball, a much lighter version of a hardball …we use a plastic bat, and the game is played on a much smaller field… it's a miniature, easier version of baseball and games are only 3 innings long. (Carthy's official league rule book can be found here.) BDNMB – It seems like your buddies take it serious. This is your first year, and you already have 4 teams and a league web site.  How have things been going so far? Carthy – The response has been nothing but awesome. We have shirts…we have everything, so I think this will be a great year.  We hope that our league can be competitive and more teams can be added down the road. BDNMB – Is there anyone else in Manitoba doing this? Carthy – No, I don’t think so. I am not even sure if anyone in Saskatchewan has a real wiffleball field. BDNMB – Did you dad help out putting everything together? Carthy  - Well, ha ha,  I am not sure if that is true. BDNMB – Who is all playing in the league this year? Carthy – Mason Kaspick, Nolan Ritchie, Dylan Halliday, Nate Hunter, and my brother…most guys are AAA Bantam or Midget hockey players. Official League Website Official Twitter Account (click to see more photos/videos, or to become a part of the league.) Sample video of what a wiffleball game looks like.