Before he died on May 25, the University of Victoria Vikes had planned to honour in a big way.
Ibell, the beloved manager of the Vikes menB次元官网网址檚 basketball team in the 1990s, was coming back to deliver the keynote speech for the 10th annual Vikes on Tuesday morning.
It made a lot of sense, as this year is also the 20th anniversary of the Vikes menB次元官网网址檚 last national basketball title, and Ibell, who earned a UVic bachelor degree in 2002, was the popular team manager when they hoisted the 1997 cup.
Ibell was about to join a list of names that includes Simon Whitfield, Bob Lenarduzzi, Nancy Mollenhauer and Adam Kreek.
Tragically, it was not to be, as Ibell succumbed at 39 years of age to his lifelong battle with Hunter syndrome.
B次元官网网址淚bell and I spoke some time ago about him bringing the keynote message at the milestone 10th Vikes Championship Breakfast,B次元官网网址� said Clint Hamilton, director of Vikes Athletics and Recreation.
Instead, Ian Hyde-Lay, who knew Ibell well, will step up and deliver the keynote speech in IbellB次元官网网址檚 honour.
B次元官网网址淸Ibell] was excited to be coming back to campus in support of our Vikes, and knowing the special relationship between him and Vikes alum Ian Hyde-Lay, it is wonderful that [Hyde-Lay] will bring the keynote message at our event in a way that will no doubt represent the inspiration and positive spirit so evident with [Ibell],B次元官网网址� Hamilton said.
As a player, Hyde-Lay won the national menB次元官网网址檚 basketball championship with the Vikes in 1979-1980, the same year he graduated. HeB次元官网网址檚 taught and coached at , and also spent time as an assistant coach with the Vikes menB次元官网网址檚 basketball team.
Hyde-Lay taught Ibell at Saint Michaels University School, where Ibell attended from 1990 to 1996, overlapping with Steve NashB次元官网网址檚 time there during the schoolB次元官网网址檚 magical B次元官网网址�90s success. It was there Hyde-Lay asked Ibell to manage the Blue Jags senior boys basketball team, including future Vikes Ali Wilmott and Ole Schmidt.
B次元官网网址淸Ibell] stood for everything that was right and good,B次元官网网址� said Hyde-Lay. B次元官网网址淚t will be an honour to speak on his behalf and, hopefully, accurately portray his values and dreams. Simon was a dear friend for nearly 30 years. [He] absolutely loved his time at UVicB次元官网网址� He impacted the community daily through his humility, positive attitude, determination and example, making light of his supposed B次元官网网址榙isability.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
Following IbellB次元官网网址檚 time at SMUS and UVic, he went on to manage the Canadian national basketball team. In 2002 he biked the length of Vancouver Island, raising $250,000 for Bike 4 MPS. After six years working for Right to Play, Ibell formed the and outreach program in 2011, advocating for Canadians suffering from rare diseases.
The following year, Ibell was honoured as a UVic Distinguished Alumnus and became a strong supporter of CARSA, UVicB次元官网网址檚 new Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities. Last year Ibell and his family funded a SMUS scholarship so students could have the experience he did.
This yearB次元官网网址檚 Vikes Championship Breakfast is Sept. 26 in the CARSA Performance Gym.
