The Manitoba Bisons men’s basketball team is pleased to announce the team captains for the upcoming 2011-12 season. Third year Bison men’s basketball head coach Kirby Schepp has fourth year Kevin Oliver and third year Stephan Walton as his new captains for this season. In her 11th year with the Bison women’s basketball program, head coach Pam Danis will not have permanent captains to start the season but have a rotating of the ‘C’ to begin the 2011-12 campaign.
Kevin Oliver, 22, enters his fourth year of eligibility with the Herd and will serve as Bison captain for the first time in his career. The 6’7”, 200 lbs forward had his best season so far with Manitoba in 2010-11 season when he averaged 10.6 points per game plus 6.1 rebounds per game in over 26 minutes of play while playing all 24 conference games for the Bisons. Stephan Walton, 24, arrives to Manitoba after playing last season at Valdosta State University. The 5,11”, 160 lbs. guard was named to the Gulf South Conference (GSC) All-Tournament team after he scored 21 points in each of the two Blazers’ GSC Tournament contests while also averaging 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
Schepp commented about the new captains, “Both met all the requirements for being a great leader. They have outstanding work ethic, extremely high character individuals and carry all core values of the team both on and off the court.”
Bison basketball notes: Both Bison basketball teams open the 2011-12 Canada West season at home against Alberta on November 4-5 weekend at Investors Group Athletic Centre (IGAC). Tip off for the women’s game is at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. for the men’s game on both nights. In addition, the 1975-76 Bison men's basketball team that won the 1976 CIS Championship and are among 2011 Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame Inductees in the team category are being honoured on Friday, November 4 at center court.