MUN men's b-ball, v-ball teams relegated to Junior High League

Varsity basketball, volleyball teams will spend 2012-2013 playing against 13-year-olds

By Paul Hussey

Memorial University's men's varsity basketball and volleyball programs have gotten a major boost, after the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) announced they have been relegated to the St. John's Junior High League for the 2012-2013 season.

While both teams have won a combined three games in the past decade, MUN Sea-Hawks basketball coach Peter Benoite says they could reach that total in one season playing against teams more near their skill level next season.

"I think it's a wonderful opportunity for our boys to finally play against other guys at the same calibre as them," Benoite said. "Who knows—we could even take a run at some of the top teams in the city, like St. Paul's and Leary's Brook. I heard they've got some big guys, maybe 5'9", but we've got a guy that's 5'10"."

Defending champions St. Paul's Junior High are going to be a "tough bunch of guys to play against," but Benoite says that with a tough summer training routine, they'll "be right there with the top 13-year-old prospects in the province."

In a news release on the AUS website, league commissioner Gary MacGalloway praised the Memorial University basketball and volleyball programs for "trying their best to keep up at the university level," and said that the AUS will sponsor each Sea-Hawk with a Timbit and a can of Pepsi after each game in the St. John's Junior High League, win or lose.

"We're dedicated to ensuring that your players develop in a positive and nurturing environment," added MacGalloway. "It's all about having fun for these Sea-Hawks, and really about getting back to basics."

While the men's basketball team is excited about free participation food, the men's volleyball team is looking forward to getting back to their 13-year-old states of mind—getting streaks of blonde in their hair, wearing Fubu athletic shirts and Exco hoodies, and being really awkward around girls.

"If we get a win once in a while, that's a bonus," said team captain Carl Murphy. "And if we don't get back to the AUS, it's no big deal—I think we'll fit in better there, anyway."