‘Very proud': University of Regina Cougars' women's basketball coach stepping down after 19 seasons
After 19 seasons as head coach of the University of Regina (U of R) women's basketball team, Dave Taylor will be stepping down from the program prior to the 2025-26 season, the school announced Thursday.
'It was a very hard decision to leave the U of R,' Taylor said in a press release. 'My time has been filled with great memories of the people, the games, the fan support and the day-to-day enjoyment of the job.'
'The program is in a great place and I feel the time is right to leave. I am very proud of the run of success,' he added.
Taylor had been the coach of the Cougars since the 2006-07 season and amassed a program-high 280 regular-season wins in his career. He led the Cougars to two Canada West titles (2013, 2018) and nine national tournament appearances, including trips to the national championship game in 2008, 2009 and 2013.
The Cougars saw a great deal of individual successes on the national level under Taylor's leadership as well, including three U SPORTS First-Team All-Canadians, six second-team All-Canadians, and two U SPORTS Rookie of the Year award winners during his time.
The team never failed to qualify for the conference playoffs under Taylor, who is a two-time winner of both the national and Canada West Coach of the Year awards (2011-12, 2022-23). 61 of the Cougars' 111 all-time playoff victories came with Taylor at the helm, and his .757 regular-season win percentage and .656 playoff mark are both tops in program history.
His 482 wins against U SPORTS opponents ranks 10th all-time in U SPORTS women's basketball history and he leaves with the fourth-most playoff wins of all-time.
'Dave is truly a Regina basketball legend,' U of R Director of Sport, Community Engagement & Athlete Development Lisa Robertson said. 'Throughout his incredible career, he led the Cougars to heights that few programs ever reach, consistently keeping them among the nation's best and making them a powerhouse in the highly-competitive Canada West conference.'
'His teams brought our community together, filling the gym during thrilling playoff runs and unforgettable battles,' she added.
Taylor's tenure with the Cougars expands long beyond his head coaching role, as he joined the program as an assistant coach at the beginning of the 1993-94 season.
His time as an assistant saw the Cougars win a national championship (2001) and four conference championships (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004). He served as an assistant coach under both Christine Stapleton and Jeff Speedy for a total of 13 seasons before being named the program's ninth head coach in May of 2006.
'I want to thank my wife Jennifer and children Anna, Reese and Hayden who always supported me,' Taylor said. 'Thanks to all the amazing players I got to coach and the assistant coaches and staff who helped me run the program.'
'Thanks to the community for all the support that allowed us to compete at the highest level. I leave full of wonderful memories,' the coach added.
'Women's basketball in the province is stronger and richer because of Dave's leadership, passion, and dedication,' Robertson said. 'Both the University and the basketball community in Saskatchewan owe Dave a deep debt of gratitude. We wish Dave and his family nothing but the very best.'
'He will always be part of the Cougar family,' the school added.
According to the U of R, Taylor has accepted the position of women's basketball coach for the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.
Michaela Kleisinger will take on head coaching duties in an interim role for the 2025-26 season. A comprehensive search will be conducted to identify the program's next head coach prior to the 2026-27 season.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Toronto FC beaten 3-1 by New York City FC in first game since buying out Italian DPs
New York City FC forward Hannes Wolf (left) celebrates his goal against Toronto FC, during the first half of an MLS soccer match on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in New York. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Eduardo Munoz Alvarez NEW YORK — Toronto FC, in its first outing since buying out the contacts of Italian designated players Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi, was beaten 3-1 by New York City FC in the lone MLS game Thursday. Hannes Wolf, Mitja Ilenic and Kevin O'Toole scored for New York (9-7-4). Eight of NYCFC's wins have come at home (8-3-0). The win moved NYCFC up three places to sixth spot in the Eastern Conference, seven places and 14 points above Toronto. While Toronto (4-11-5) was competitive at Yankee Stadium, its offence was stagnant in the first half. There wasn't much offence until Ola Brynhildsen and Theo Corbeanu both tested New York 'keeper Tomas Romero around the hour mark. At the other end it too often allowed NYCFC attackers too clear a path to TFC's goal. "(It's) disappointing because I thought we more than started well," said Toronto coach Robin Fraser. "I thought for a lot of the game we were really good. And really solid. "Mistakes. Mistakes did us in. We're disappointed in the result, partially because we know how badly we need results. But really I'm proud of the effort. The effort was great. There were a couple of mental lapses that ended up costing us too much. But so many guys played so well and put in a real honest shift. It's just disappointing when you do so many things well and you still come out on this side of it." New York outshot Toronto 10-8 (5-2 in shots on target). Toronto started brightly but found itself trailing 1-0 in the 20th minute when, after a NYCFC free kick, a cross found Wolf and the Austrian midfielder's stylish left-footed volley went in after beating Sean Johnson and hitting both goalposts. It was the ninth goal of the season for Wolf and his sixth in his last six games. Ilenic doubled the lead in the 49th minute, sticking out a leg to deflect in Agustín Ojeda's cross after the Argentine winger had been allowed to race towards the Toronto goal without challenge. Ilenic, a 20-year-old Slovenian international fullback, marked his second goal of the season with Cristiano Ronaldo's trademark celebration. Toronto cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 70th minute via an own goal. Corbeanu beat a defender down the right flank, reached the byline and sent in a cross that deflected off defender Justin Haak and then Romero into the goal. O'Toole restored New York's two-goal lead in the 74th minute. Kosi Thompson was dispossessed and Maxi Moralez passed the ball to Wolf, who found O'Toole unchecked in the Toronto penalty box. The substitute dribbled towards goal and beat Johnson with a low shot. Fraser went with the same lineup that beat visiting Portland 3-0 Saturday in what was TFC's best performance of the season. Toronto moved the ball around but showed little in front of goal in a first half that saw both teams attempt four shots with NYCFC holding a 2-0 edge in shots on target. TFC defender Kevin Long was shown a yellow card in the second minute with midfielder Matty Longstaff following him into referee Fotis Bazakos' book in the 20th minute. Defender Richie Laryea, back from Gold Cup duty with Canada, came on in the 57th minute. Maxime Dominguez became the third TFC player to be cautioned after a tussle with Ilenic in the 67th minute. Thompson made his 100th appearance for TFC in all competitions. New York forward Alonso Martínez returned from international duty with Costa Rica but goalkeeper Matt Freese, the hero of the American penalty shootout quarterfinal win over Honduras, remains at the Gold Cup. Romero, an El Salvador international and former Toronto player, started in goal for NYCFC. Canadian Greg Ranjitsingh, his backup, also had a stint with TFC. Toronto defenders Nicksoen Gomis, Zane Monlouis and Henry Wingo remain long-term casualties. Captain Jonathan Osorio was also out, recovering from a lower-body injury suffered with Canada, while midfielder Deybi Flores played in Honduras's 2-1 loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup semifinal Wednesday in California. Toronto signed TFC 2 defender Reid Fisher and midfielder Malik Henry to MLS short-term agreements for the game. Originally drafted by CF Montreal in the second round (39th overall) in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Henry's promotion cost Toronto a third-round draft pick in 2026 with US$75,000 in conditional general allocation money, given Montreal had retained his MLS priority rights. Henry came on in the 70th minute, picking up a yellow soon after. Toronto has had little success at NYCFC with a 1-6-5 regular-season record there. The lone win was a 1-0 decision on Sept. 23, 2020, thanks to a 90th-minute Alejandro Pozuelo penalty in a game played at Red Bull Arena. TFC has won two playoff games at NYCFC. Up next, Toronto hosts Atlanta United on July 12 while NYCFC visits Charlotte FC. --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 3, 2025 The Canadian Press
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Teenage girls in Alberta are signing up for football like never before: official
Football Alberta says it's seeing a record number of teenage girls taking an interest in the sport. CTV News Edmonton's Evan Kenny has the details. Edmonton's top women's football team, the Edmonton Arctic Pride, took part in the league championship for the first time over the weekend, falling to the Saskatoon Valkyries. It was the Edmonton team's first season in the Western Women's Canadian Football League. Head coach Marcus Henry is still proud of his team and is excited to see what they can do next year. 'With this first year and how well we did, I think it's going to draw a lot of attention and build the game even more,' he told CTV News Edmonton. 'I'm already thinking about next season. I think we're gonna have a lot more athletes out now, and my goal is to win the championship.' Bibi Suzuki quarterbacked her team to the finals. She's been playing for the past seven years and remembers discovering Edmonton's top women's team. 'To know there was a women's team I could join when I was older just brought comfort to me,' she said. It's a big reason many other girls are staying on the gridiron Football Alberta has been open to women for some time, mainly in older levels. It says it's now seeing more high-school- and junior-high-school-aged girls signing up to play. 'Women are really taking to the game, they've got a lot of great leadership, we're developing a lot of great coaches and it's been really fun to watch,' Tim Enger of Football Alberta said. 'If people want to play football, regardless of their gender, we'll find a place for you.' Five years ago, Football Alberta added an under-18 provincial women's team. Because of the sport's growth, the organization is adding an under-16 team. 'It's growing like a weed at this stage, which is really positive,' Enger said. 'We've got two strong leagues now that are going in both Edmonton and Calgary areas that both expand to some of the rural areas as well. Red Deer has a team in the Calgary league.' It's a new generation Suzuki is excited to be a role-model for, just like ones she had while learning the game. 'I remember thinking, 'Wow, I want to be like her so much,' and to be that kind of person for somebody is – I feel really proud,' Suzuki said. She'll take some of those younger players under her wing on the Arctic Pride next season, this time, looking to finish the job in the championship.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Goldeyes hosting first-ever Autism Acceptance Game in effort to make baseball more inclusive
CTV's Daniel Halmarson has more on the Winnipeg Goldeyes' initiative to help introduce kids with autism to baseball. The Winnipeg Goldeyes are working to make baseball more inclusive with a new concept for Thursday's game. The team is hosting its first-ever Autism Acceptance Game as a way to introduce kids with autism to the sport by meeting them where they're at. That means the ballpark will be quieter and safe spaces have been set up to take breaks from the crowd. Five-year-old Cyrus Banjavich lives with autism and is taking in his first Goldeyes game. It will be extra special for him as he is also throwing out the first pitch. 'His independence is really, really impressive. I'm so proud of this little guy,' said Cyrus' dad, Geoff. He said sports have been a way for Cyrus to connect with the world around him. 'I found that sports seemed to be a bridge for him to understanding and understanding a lot about himself too.' Geoff said Cyrus started with swimming lessons and watching hockey. He was able to watch the Manitoba Moose at their Autism Acceptance Game earlier this year. 'I thought (what) was amazing, is how everything came together with so much support for these little guys. And I thought, 'Why don't we do this for the Goldeyes?'' It didn't take much convincing for the baseball team and St. Amant Foundation to jump on board to celebrate acceptance and inclusivity. 'This game, it's for the kids,' said Tania Douglas, the executive director of St. Amant. 'It's for people with autism and everything is set up for them to be able to have a great night and be included with everybody else.' The Goldeyes are making sure everyone will feel comfortable. 'We have sensory kits at the fan services booths with earplugs and fidget toys. We have our family lounge that, if things get too loud or overwhelming, they can take them in there and relax for a bit,' said Andrew Collier, the general manager of the team. Banjavich said these types of experiences are invaluable for kids like Cyrus and open up a world of possibilities, one step at a time. 'The more inclusivity that we have for our kids this way, the more options they will have in this world. And that's what I want him to have, all the options,' said Geoff. All proceeds raised through 50/50 and buying items like plushies will go to the St. Amant Foundation to support their autism outreach programs.
