WOLFVILLE, NS - Former basketball Axemen great Steve Pound will be the honorary chairperson of the U SPORTS Men’s Basketball National Championship, also referred to as the U SPORTS Final 8.
Acadia and Sports Entertainment Atlantic will host the 2018 U SPORTS men’s basketball championship March 8-11, 2018 at Halifax’s Scotiabank Centre.
A native of Millinocket, Maine, and a graduate of Steams High School, the five-foot-nine court general was a unanimous Eastern Maine and All-State performer during his senior high school year while leading the USA in scoring at 40 points per game before the three-point line as a High School All-American.
A 1972 graduate of Acadia University, Pound starred for the Axeman for four seasons and was the recipient of many individual honours, as well as being an outstanding performer on the 1970-1971 Canadian Intercollegiate championship team.
In the 1969-1970 season, Pound led the Atlantic Intercollegiate Basketball Conference in scoring with a 21.8 points per game average and established an Acadia record of assists for one game with 19. He was named the conference’s most valuable player and selected as the C.I.A.U. MVP.
Pound concluded the 1970-1971 season with a C.I.A.U. National Championship and, in his senior season, 1971-1972, he surpassed Brian Heaney’s career point total of 1,917. In subsequent weeks, he went on to pass the 2,000-point mark.
Pound concluded his senior season as a basketball Axeman by being named a C.I.A.U. All-Canadian and Acadia’s male athlete of the year for the second time in three years.
A science and education graduate of Acadia and after a decade as both teacher and principal in Quebec City, Pound returned to his alma mater in 1986 as executive director of the Associated Alumni. In 1995, he received his PhD from the University of Laval. For outstanding contributions to his profession, he was recognized by his peers in June 1995, receiving a Distinguished Service Award from the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education.
“I am truly honoured to have been asked by my alma mater, Acadia University, to be named honorary chair for the national tournament. It is a privilege to represent my teammates, all past and current Axemen, cheerleaders and fans, Acadia alumni and the Wolfville community, all of whom have played a significant role in my development,” said Pound.
“Thanks to Acadia’s leadership for giving me the opportunity to give back to the University that has given so much to me.”
Acadia’s athletics director, Kevin Dickie, said Pound was the clear choice.
"There is no one more fitting, appropriate and perfect to represent Acadia University as our honorary chair as Steve Pound,” Dickie said. “‘Pounder’ has been a great friend to many of us for years, and he might be the most passionate alumnus Acadia has had over almost 180 years. He is a basketball legend, and a proud supporter of all aspects of our University. As a former National Champion and long-time coach who was a part of many championships, this event will be special to and for him.”
The Acadia Axemen’s regular season begins Nov/ 4 as they host the Memorial Sea-Hawks and begin their quest for a national championship as host of the 2018 U SPORTS Final 8 at the Halifax Scotiabank Center March 8-11.
