Five Questions With: Tim Kendrick
Tim Kendrick is a name that has become almost synonymous with basketball on Prince Edward Island. In his more than three decades of coaching basketball, he has served as head coach of the UPEI Panthers for six seasons until 2017, when he accepted the same job with the Island Storm in the NBLC.
Kendirck kindly took the time to talk to us here at TTN to share his insights and experiences of his lengthy career and his connection to basketball in the island province.
What do you enjoy most about being a basketball coach?
The thing that I truly enjoy most about being a basketball coach is the relationships you are able to develop and grow with the people that you work with within your team, program, or franchise. I really enjoy working with young people, and hope that through basketball I have helped some become better young men. The competition is great, but the long lasting relationships are so much more valuable.
You have coached both professional and U Sports teams. What would you say are the main differences between the two?
Some things in the pros are much easier, and some much more difficult.
The players are at two distinctly different levels of their lives. At the pro level, you are dealing with men who should understand that this is their career choice, and they should understand that they must take the responsibility on themselves to do whatever it takes to maintain and advance their careers, both on court and off.
University students are just that, students first. Academics are very important, and so many other things are also taking considerable time and energy as well as basketball. Make no mistake, it is certainly a privilege and honor to coach at either of these levels!
In your entire career, who are some of the best players that you've coached?
I have been very fortunate to coach a number of great players at all levels. Honestly, it’s hard to pick a few from so many. I think I will wait until I retire before answering this one! I can say this: I have a deep appreciation for all of the players I have had over the years.
What do you feel having a professional basketball team on Prince Edward Island has done to help raise the profile of the sport in the province?
We are the only professional team in any sport on PEI!
Having a professional basketball team here certainly raises the profile of this great sport, and gives young people a chance to dream. We also, as a franchise, try to do a lot of work in area schools, as well as in the community, to help in any way we can. I think many people on the island really appreciate these things.
How important is fan support to a team ?
I believe that fan support and loyalty is instrumental to any professional sport franchise! There is no doubt in my mind that a huge and boisterous crowd is such an advantage in basketball, players feed off of that positive energy.
We just completed a very tough season, we did not have the record that we had hoped we would, and our entire franchise from the top down are working hard to turn things around in 2019/20. We have had a very positive response from a number of players that we really want to return next season, and are actively trying to find new players as well.
We are hoping that our fan base comes out to Eastlink Center and supports us in droves this coming season. We need our building to be loud and proud!
Picture: Tom Steepe
