Member Monday - Camosun Chargers

The Camosun Chargers have been a proud member of the PACWEST since the 1994-1995 season.

When they first joined the PACWEST the league was under the name of the British Columbia Colleges’ Athletic Association (BCCAA). For the first 15 years of the Chargers existence the basketball and volleyball teams bounced between several rental facilities. Then in 2008 a new era of competition started on the Island.

The Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence (PISE) officially opened on the Interurban campus and life changed for the Chargers. The world-class facility features a double court gymnasium with an international height ceiling, a large fitness centre with a high performance area, athletic therapy room, team rooms, change rooms, classrooms, a sport research and innovation centre, erg centre, an all-weather turf field and a 400-metre track outside.

This past summer, PISE underwent a major renovation which included two new banks of telescopic bleachers with seating for over 500 fans. The facility upgrade also included two new massive ceiling mount basketball backstops and a new finish for the gym floor with new lines and graphics.

The Chargers golf program has also flourished in the PACWEST winning multiple championships. The golf program has benefited from the generosity and hospitality of a number of golf clubs in the Victoria area since teeing off. For example, Arbutus Ridge, Olympic View and Bear Mountain have given Charger golfers of the past the ability to hone their skills. The present members of the golf team have linked forces with Highland Pacific Golf Course which has been home to the Chargers most recently. The course is considered one of southern Vancouver Island’s golf gems and is committed to protecting the environment and is proud to be one of two Audubon Certified courses on the Island.

Camosun College will hit a milestone in 2021 celebrating 50 years of excellence in teaching innovation programming and services and community partnerships.

Camosun officially celebrated opening its doors as a post-secondary institution offering university transfer, vocational and upgrading courses to 980 registered students on September 16, 1971. Today, the college has two campuses; Lansdowne and Interurban along with five community partner learning sites, offer over 160 innovative, life-changing academic and applied learning programs to 20,000 students each year.

Prior to the opening of the College in 1971, the history of the school is rich in the provincial capital. The “Young Building” on the Landsdowne campus was built between 1913 and 1915. The expansion of the school started slowly, but make no mistake expansion was happening. The Dunlop House was built in 1928, the Ewing Building opened in 1952, and then in ’61 the Paul building opened and houses the College President.

In October of 1970 the Greater Victoria School Board and BC government gave authority for the establishment of “Juan de Fuca College.” However 11 months later the name of the College switched to Camosun after authorities realized moving forward with further expansion the school could be called “Fuca U.”

Today the institution continues to attract students on and off the Island. The Chargers athletic program is a major reason with access to an Integrative Support Team (IST) that offers wrap-around support for all aspects of the student-athlete experience including coaches, athletic therapy, strength and conditioning, academic advising and counselling. Operating under the same roof as the Canadian Sport Institute, Camosun also offers Chargers student-athletes the unique opportunity to work, train and study alongside Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

The Chargers’ home of PISE has seen many memorable moments including hosting back to back CCAA national volleyball championships in 2017 (women) and 2018 (men). However one memory that is near and dear to the Chargers’ faithful is hosting the 2015 PACWEST men’s volleyball championship and winning gold on home court, sending them to the nationals. The team went on to capture another thrilling victory in the gold medal match at the nationals in PEI, where they were crowned national champions.

Today the Chargers’ are in a transitional period at the top after Athletic Director Graham Matthews retired following 37 years of leading the team. Currently the department is run by Acting Athletic Director Heather Cummings, who has a wonderful experienced staff behind her that has kept moving the “Charge.”

Quick Camosun Facts:
Enrolment - 20,400 learners a year
Location – 4461 Interurban Rd. Victoria
President – Sherri Bell

Inside Athletics:
Acting Athletic Director – Heather Cummings
Athletics Marketing Officer – Bonita Joe
Athletics Events – Kathryn Russell
Athletics Secretary – Bonnie Faganello

Current Head Coaches:
WVB – Brett Hall (since 2017)
MVB – Charles Parkinson (since 2007)
WBB – Justin Thiessen (since 2019)
MBB – Scot Cuachon (since 2012)
GOLF – Callum Ashby (since 2020)

Outstanding Alumni
WBB – Tessa Lannon-Paakspuu (All-Canadian, PACWEST Defensive Player of the Year, Player of the Year)
MVB – Marin Reader (All-Canadian) PACWEST/BCCAA Player of the Year, Olympian in Beach Volleyball 2012)