SACKVILLE, N.B. – Mount Allison University’s department of athletics and recreation has announced Norval McConnell of Moncton, N.B., has accepted the position of chair of the 2018 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) women’s basketball nationals.
Mount Allison University will host the CCAA National Women’s Basketball Championship for the first time in school history from March 14-18, 2018. The eight-team event will see the top college women’s teams from across the country coming to Sackville for the championship. The Mount Allison Mounties are guaranteed a berth in the championship as the host school.
“When we were awarded women’s nationals and we turned our attention to who we would like to have leading the way for this prestigious championship, Norval’s name immediately came to mind,” says Pierre Arsenault, director of athletics and recreation at Mount Allison. “He brings such a wealth of community events experience and a contagious passion for student athletics and telling student-athlete stories to the world. We are in great hands with Norval as our Chair.”
McConnell graduated from Mount Allison University with a degree in chemistry in 1980. He spent his 32-year career as a teacher and school administrator in the Moncton area and he is very well known in the basketball community. Some of McConnell’s provincial basketball involvement includes establishing and administering minor basketball programs in Moncton, and involvement with both men’s and women’s high school Hoop Classics and regional tournaments for many years. Most recently he has worked with the Moncton Miracles (now Moncton Magic) of the National Basketball League of Canada.
“This is an incredible opportunity for me to give back to Mount Allison, a school that played such an integral role in my life.”
– Norval McConnell
“Participating in a national championship event in your own gym at the school you attended is a special and unique experience for any student-athlete," he added. "For most it never happens. I want to support and assist to make this tournament that special experience that creates friendships through basketball competition for all student-athletes who participate.”
The Mount Allison Mounties are off to a 5-0 start to the new ACAA season. The Mounties, who sit in first place in the seven-team league, are now ranked 7th in the CCAA after having opened the season at 13th.
The 2018 CCAA Women’s Basketball Championship will be held March 14-18, 2018 at the McCormack Gymnasium on Mount Allison University’s campus. The eight teams playing in the championship include the host Mounties, ACAA champion (Atlantic), RSEQ champion (Quebec), OCAA Champion (Ontario), ACAA Champion (Alberta), Pacwest Champion (BC), and two wildcard entries.
About Mount Allison University
Mount Allison University is ranked the top undergraduate university in Canada by Maclean’s magazine. With degrees in Arts, Science, Commerce, Fine Arts, and Music, the University provides a flexible liberal arts and science education that prepares students for any career path. Located in Sackville, New Brunswick on Canada’s East Coast, Mount Allison prides itself on providing a high-quality academic experience, combined with a variety of hands-on learning opportunities in a close-knit community. Students come from more than 50 countries around the world to make up a diverse, creative, and talented student body of approximately 2,300 students.
