For graduating Quest University Kermodes women's basketball player Allie Chalke, her favourite memory as a member of the team came only a few weeks ago.
Chalke and teammate Brittany Harteveld were being honoured as graduating players, the first two women's team players to do so in Quest basketball history. Chalke admitted it was an emotional moment.
"Standing with one of my best friends for the last time in our gym with our whole community cheering and supporting us after a very tough loss meant more than I know how to put into words," she said. "I know I will never forget that image and I hope I never forget the feeling."
But it wasn't always so memorable during her tenure with the team. Chalke wasn't a member of the team during their 2007-'08 demonstration season but she was a part of the team during their first regular season in British Columbia Colleges' Athletic Association action.
"It was really hard to be on a losing team," said the North Vancouver native. "We would walk into the building knowing that we would lose. We really didn't have a chance and that kind of mentality can be tough for an athlete."
Chalke pointed out that she came from a strong program at Handsworth Secondary School and that the losing as well as the growing pains of the program were a new experience.
"I remember the first year it seemed like my high school was better equipped than Quest," she said. "The school didn't have anyone who knew how to operate the scoreboard and so on. It was really starting from scratch for us."
Chalke said that a big moment for the program came in their first season, when Quest upset Douglas College.
"We heard all the talk around the league that we didn't belong, so it was a really big deal for us," she said. "It cemented to us that we do belong and we can play in this league and I think it silenced a few of our critics."
Women's team head coach Mike Woollard praised the dedication of both Chalke and Harteveld.
"It took a lot of courage for those two families to make the decision to send their daughter to Quest, where construction was not even complete when they arrived," he said. "Both players have been huge contributors both on and off the court for the basketball team and the school."
The team put together a record of three wins and 15 losses in 2008-'09 and then improved in 2009-'10 with a record of six wins and 12 losses. This past year saw the Kermodes post another 6-12 record and Chalke said she thinks the team has a lot of promise for next year.
"I think their chances are really good," she said. "With Delainee (Behrns) and Nicola (Hitchcock) they should have two great leaders. I think they should have really great guard play next year and they should be really competitive."
As for Chalke, she will continue her schooling and is waiting to hear back from law schools in the coming months.
