There's a new man at the helm of the Trinity Western University's athletic department, and he's one of their own.
TWU alum Jeff Gamache is the new director of athletics for the TWU Spartans, announced Dr. Blair Whitmarsh, the human kinetics dean.
“Spartan Athletics is very excited to have Mr. Jeff Gamache as the new Director of Athletics at Trinity Western University,” he said.
“Jeff has been an avid supporter of Spartan Athletics since he was an athlete on the men’s volleyball team and he brings considerable coaching and administrative experience to the position. His enthusiasm for varsity sport is contagious and we are very excited to see where Spartan Athletics moves under his leadership," Whitmarsh added.
Gamache, who is currently vice-principal at the Mennonite Educational Institute (MEI) middle school, and will begin his new duties in January.
“I am so excited to join such a high performing team that is already leading the way in Canada,” Gamache said.
“I look forward to leading an athletics program that honours God in all that we do. I truly believe that championships are a result of wanting the best for our athletes in all areas of their lives.”
Gamache is a former captain of the Spartan men’s volleyball team (1992-1995), is an alumni sport coordinator with the Spartan foundation, vice-president of BC Boys Volleyball, coordinator of Fraser Valley Junior Boys Volleyball, and is a leadership team member of the BC Boys Volleyball Championships.
“I am incredibly excited and proud to be returning home to a place that was formative in my development as a leader,” said Gamache.
“At Trinity Western I saw servant leadership in action and was challenged to infuse my faith into all aspects of life. In my four years as a Spartan athlete I learned the values of perseverance, teamwork, and goal setting. In my time away from TWU, I have gained valuable leadership experience in the education and sport environment.”
The former Academic All-Canadian has a BA from TWU (1995), a BEd from Simon Fraser University (1997) and an MA from TWU (2011). He was also the interim head coach of the Spartan men’s volleyball team for the 1995-96 season.
In addition to his leadership expertise, Gamache has more than 14 years of coaching experience as a high-school and club coach. In 2014 he was the Fraser Valley Volleyball Association Coach of the Year.
As official members of U Sports (formerly CIS), the Spartans currently compete in 10 sports in the Canada West division of the CIS: women’s and men’s soccer, volleyball, basketball, cross-country and track & field. TWU also competes in the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) in men’s hockey.
Since Trinity entered the CIS in 1999, the Spartans have won eight straight CIS national championships, 2008-09 to 2015-16, ten top two finishes (silver or gold) at CIS championship last two years, 37 TWU Spartan teams have been finished top five at the CIS Championship in last 13 years.