Bison Sports is pleased to announce the appointment of Randy Kusano and Michele Hynes as the interim co-coaches for the Bison women’s basketball program for the upcoming 2012-13 season. “With coach Danis currently on leave we are confident in coach Hynes and coach Kusano’s abilities to guide the Bison program at this time,” said Athletic Director, Coleen Dufresne. “Coach Hynes has demonstrated great leadership both as a player and assistant coach and coach Kusano brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to the program.” Kusano, 60, is the winningest coach in the history of high school basketball in Manitoba. His high school tmeams have won three MHSAA (Manitoba High School Athletic Association) AAAA Provincial Championships provincial titles, 11 conference titles and he coached in 15 AAAA Final Fours in his 34 years coaching with the Oak Park Raiders in Winnipeg before retiring from teaching in 2010.
A University of Manitoba graduate, Kusano is a current is a fully certified NCCP Level 3 coach with over 20 years of CIS coaching experience as an assistant with the Bison men’s program. Kusano is a member of the 17U girls’ provincial team coaching staff.
A member of the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame, Kusano has been named the MBCA Coach of the Year twice, the recipient of the Mike Spack Award (2010), Coaching Manitoba – Jack Hunt award, MHSAA Grey Cup Legacy award, BSSI Commitment to Coaching award, MBCA (Manitoba Basketball Coaches Association) Recognition award, as well as the Jostens Volunteer of the Year.
Kusano commented, “I’m excited and looking forward to working at the CIS level with the Bison women’s program and equally excited to work with Michele. For someone so young, I am impressed by her strong organizational skills, her leadership and her enthusiasm.”
Hynes, 24, completed her five year university playing career with the Manitoba Bisons in 2010. From 2005-10, Hynes was a leader on and off the court as she was as a team captain for three consecutive years (2007-08 to ’09-10) Hynes was selected as the 2009-10 CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) Sylvia Sweeney Award winner – presented to a player who recipient exhibits outstanding achievement in three areas: basketball, academics and community involvement.
The Millgrove, ON native has earned a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the U of Manitoba and is currently enrolled in Faculty of Engineering. She was named a CIS Academic All-Canadian in 2006-07, an honour given to student athletes who achieve a minimum GPA of 3.5.
Prior to coming to the Bisons, Hynes played for the 2005 Ontario Provincial Champion and Canadian National Silver medalist Hamilton Transway. In addition, she was on the 2004 Canadian Juvenile Basketball gold medalist, 2004 OBA Juvenile “AAA” provincial championship (gold) and 2003 (silver) and 2002 OBA “AAA” provincial championship (gold) teams.
A natural leader Hynes started her coaching career with coach Danis’ Junior Bisons in 2005 and currently coaches with Big Country basketball (2010-12). She was a rural team coordinator and coach with the JRB Basketball (2009). Hynes was awarded the 2009 Jim Bulloch Coaching, the 2011-12 Grey Cup Legacy award and a 2012 Women to Watch grant. Over the next two summers leading to the Canada Games, Hynes joins Kusano, Don Thompson and Coleen Dufresne as the Apprentice Coach for the Manitoba 17U Provincial Team.
Hynes stated, “I'm thankful to be given the opportunity to continue my work with Bison women's basketball team and I look forward to coaching with Randy, who is one of the best and well respected coaches in the entire province."
The Manitoba Bisons women’s basketball team will start the 2012-13 Canada West conference regular season on November 2 and 3 at Calgary and their first home conference action occurs on Friday, November 9 and Saturday, November 10 versus Brandon at the Investors Group Athletic Centre (U of Manitoba campus).
For complete bios please visit the Manitoba Bisons website at: gobisons.ca
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