Couzens built Griffins women's basketball program into a power

Gerry Couzens

(Inducted April 2000)

Gerry Couzens was the architect, the heart and the soul in building the Griffins women’s basketball program to a perennial power.

As MacEwan’s women’s basketball head coach from 1992 to 2000, Gerry experience just one losing season – his first – in compiling an eight-year 208-78 record.

Gerry’s teams won the ACAC North Conference title for five seasons in a row (1995 to 2000), while racking up an incredible 92-8 playoff record. The women’s basketball team won three silver medals and two bronze medals during this run.

His coaching peers rewarded him as ACAC women’s basketball coach of the year on four occasions.

Gerry’s trademark teams were built around all players playing a pressure-filled transition style of basketball. Players on Gerry’s team were extremely successful in the classroom as well, with 97 per cent of his players achieving success in their academic pursuits. His teams posted the best combined grade point average of MacEwan teams for six of his eight seasons, finishing second the other two.

Gerry got his start at MacEwan from 1982 to 1984 when he suited up as a point guard for the Griffins. He continued on with his basketball career by playing for three seasons with the University of Alberta Golden Bears. His playing style closely resembled his coaching style of tenacious defence and quick transition.

Gerry joined the Griffins in a coaching capacity as an assistant coach of the men’s basketball program in 1990-91 and was the head coach in 1991-92. He was instrumental in setting up the Griffins’ Basketball Booster Club.

After a 12-year commitment to Griffins Athletics, it is with honour that Gerry Couzens be inducted into the Griffins Wall of Distinction in the builder category.