(WOLFVILLE, N.S.) - Acadia University and the department of athletics announced today that former basketball Axemen great Steve Pound will be the honorary chairperson of the U SPORTS men's basketball national championship, also referred to as the U SPORTS Final 8.
Acadia University and Sports & Entertainment Atlantic will host the 2018 U SPORTS men's basketball championship March 8-11, 2018 at Halifax's Scotiabank Centre.
A native of Millinocket, Maine, and a graduate of Steams High School, the five-foot-nine court general was a unanimous Eastern Maine and all-state performer during his senior high school year while leading the USA in scoring at 40 points per game (before the creation of three-point line) as a high school all-American.
A 1972 graduate of Acadia University, Pound starred for the Axeman for four seasons and was the recipient of many individual honours as well as being an outstanding performer on the 1970-71 Canadian Intercollegiate championship team.
In the 1969-70 season, Pound led the Atlantic Intercollegiate Athletic Association basketball conference in scoring with a 21.8 points per game average and established an Acadia record of assists for one game with 19. He was named the conference's most valuable player and selected as the most valuable player in the CIAU.
Pound concluded the 1970-71 season with a CIAU. national championship and, in his senior season, 1971-72, he surpassed Brian Heaney's career point total of 1,917. In subsequent weeks he went on to pass the 2,000-point mark.
Pound concluded his senior season as a basketball Axeman by being named a CIAU all-Canadian and Acadia's male athlete of the year for the second time in three years.
A science and education graduate of Acadia, Pound returned to his alma mater in 1986 as executive director of the Associated Alumni after having spent a decade as a teacher and principal in Quebec City. In 1995, he received his PhD from Université Laval. For outstanding contributions to his profession, he was recognized by his peers in June 1995, receiving a Distinguished Service Award from the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education.
"I am truly honoured to have been asked by my alma mater, Acadia University, to be named honorary chair for the national tournament," said Pound. "It is a privilege to represent my teammates, all past and current Axemen, fans, Acadia alumni and the Wolfville community, all of whom have played a significant role in my development.
"Thanks to Acadia's leadership for giving me the opportunity to give back to the university that has given so much to me."
"There is no one more fitting, appropriate and perfect to represent Acadia University as our honorary chair as Steve Pound," said Acadia's director of athletics, Kevin Dickie. "He has been a great friend to many of us for years, and he might be the most passionate alumnus Acadia has had over almost 180 years. He is a basketball legend, and a proud supporter of all aspects of our university. As a former national champion and long-time coach who was a part of many championships, this event will be special to and for him.
"I'm so proud to congratulate my good friend, and arguably the best basketball player the Axemen ever had," said Dickie.
The Acadia Axemen's regular season begins Nov. 4 as they host the Memorial Sea-Hawks and begin their quest for a national championship as hosts of the 2018 U SPORTS Final 8.
Source: Acadia Athletics Communications