The Lethbridge College Kodiaks are reaching out to high schools to recruit new athletes in hopes of bringing home championships.
With athletes graduating and moving on every year, the college has started a recruitment program to ensure new talent comes through the doors.
High schools around southern Alberta have been in contact with the Kodiaks every year proposing new talent for multiple sports.
The Kodiaks have a total of 12 teams, with six sports including basketball, soccer and volleyball.
One Kodiak team is hoping for luck with recruitment this season. The women’s volleyball team has brought in multiple new faces in hopes of adding skill and size to the team.
Among these new athletes is Joe Dixon, a first year women’s volleyball player. Dixon said being recruited by the Kodiaks was an honour.
“It’s an exciting feeling because you’re being recognized by the community and it’s a privilege to even get asked about it,” Dixon said.
Dixon added she was recruited by multiple schools, but chose Lethbridge College because it was close to home and they had an energetic women’s team.
The women’s volleyball team finished last season with four wins and 20 losses, but head coach Anna Schwark said new talent like Dixon will spark a turn around this year.
Along with the women’s team, the men’s volleyball team also added some fresh new faces.
The men have started their pre-season action at an 8-3 record and said the success breeds confidence.
However, with the Kodiaks being a college team, the players are students as well and have a responsibility to keep their grades high.
Greg Gibos, head coach of the men’s volleyball team, said Kodiak Athletics takes schooling very seriously.
“I know the Kodiaks take a great pride in having their athletes well above the overall student body GPA and there’s lots of things for them (athletes) and supports when they get here,” Gibos said.
He then said the Kodiaks’ main concern is finding a program their athletes are comfortable and interested in.
All Kodiak sports have the same 2.5 minimum GPA for athletes. Failure to exceed this GPA will result in the loss of playing privileges, according to the contract given to Kodiak athletes.
The men’s and women’s volleyball teams are looking to start their regular season on Oct. 18 when they take on SAIT. In addition, the men’s and women’s basketball teams look to start their regular season on Oct. 19 when they host Briercrest College.
To find schedules and detailed rosters for the Kodiaks teams, visit the Kodiak athletics website at gokodiaks.ca.