Tim Kendrick, who had coached 22 YEARS at the helm of Horton High School boys’ basketball since 1989 and earned his 700th win as a head coach in February, has been named the new bench boss of the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers men’s squad.
"Horton High School has been great to me over the years, the players have been great, the whole community has been great. It’s been a great run. But the timing was perfect for me to move up to the CIS level and UPEI presented a great opportunity and they have been nothing but wonderful to me. It just seems like the perfect time to go."
The New Minas native, who leaves Horton with an overall record of 707 wins in 896 career games, said he has had overtures from university programs before. But now that his youngest son Jake has graduated from Horton, Kendrick felt the timing was right to move on.
"Over the years there had been some interest when (university) jobs came open, but I’m from here, I went to school at Horton and my family is from here," said Kendrick, who also coached older son Joe at Horton.
"The big thing for me was when my youngest son Jake was about to finish last year, maybe if something came available at that point, I would really try to pursue and sure enough. I thought it would take longer than a couple months. But it worked out great. The timing was perfect."
In 2008, Kendrick’s Griffins set an unofficial national high school record by winning their 73rd consecutive game. The streak dated back to 2006.
On Feb. 25, Kendrick recorded his milestone 700th victory when the Griffins blasted the North Nova Gryphons 113-81 in a semifinal game of the M.A.C. League championship tournament.
One of his paramount coaching feats came at the 2009 Canada Summer Games in Summerside, P.E.I., when he guided the Nova Scotia men’s team to a silver medal finish. Kendrick was recognized with the 2010 Basketball Nova Scotia’s coach of the year award.
"His coaching record speaks for itself," Ron Annear, director of athletics and recreation at UPEI, said in a news release. "But after seeing him in action at the 2009 Canada Games, meeting with him during the selection process, and now getting to know him better in the last few weeks, I know he will be the right leader and motivator to take the Panthers to new heights in both the AUS and CIS, and in our community."
UPEI will open its exhibition schedule on Oct. 14 at the Mickey Place Tournament in Charlottetown. The Panthers will play their first regular-season game at home on Nov. 12 against the Saint Mary’s Huskies.
Department of Athletics