Mike Clarke - Head Coach

Born and raised in British Columbia, it would come as little surprise that Mike Clarke would go on to star, as a player, at UBC, leaving the school as the fifth leading scorer in Thunderbirds’ history.

Clarke would suit up with the Junior National team, competing at the 1987 World Junior Basketball Championships. fter playing one year of pro basketball in South Africa, Clarke would make the move to the coaching ranks, joining the staff of the Langara Falcons men’s basketball team.

But his big break would come when he stepped in to take on the ladies team mid-season.
In the following campaign, his first full year at the helm of the Lady Falcons, Clarke guided Langara to a provincial championship, quickly garnering recognition within the college ranks.

In 2002-03, Clarke made the jump to the CIS basketball, accepting the position of head coach with the Laurentian Lady Vees. In his rookie year on the bench, Mike Clarke leads his new team to an undefeated regular season (20-0), earning OUA East Coach of the Year honours in the process.

During his eight years in Sudbury, Clarke has accumulated an overall record of 115-59, his teams winning more than 70% of their games. He prides himself on being approachable, but also expanding the players’ knowledge of the game, focusing on a more cerebral approach to basketball.

Clarke has worked with the provincial basketball associations in both British Columbia and Ontario, often devoting valuable time during the off-season to working with high-school students.

Assistant Coach: Caitlin Blackadder

Caitlin Blackadder, who returns for a third year as a Lady Vees Assistant Coach has been a familiar face around the Ben Avery Gymnasium for many years. Caitie, who graduated from LU in 2005 with an honors degree in geology, was a five year starter and captain of the Lady Vees. One of the most intense and hardest working players in the OUA, Caitlin will be remembered by teammates, opponents and fans for her tough defence and fearless drives to the basket. As an assistant coach, she has a lot to offer to a new generation of “Blue and Gold”. Coach Clarke is very excited to have her on staff   "In all my time in basketball as both a player and a coach, Caitie stands out as one of the toughest and hardest working players I have been around. Basketball aside, she is one of the most energetic people I have ever met. She has a good understanding of the technical aspects of the game and helps us greatly, particularly teaching the younger players what it takes to get the most out of their talent." Caitlin lives in Sudbury and pursuing a career in geology with CVRD INCO Limited.

Assistant Coach: Scott MacWhirter

Scott Macwhirter returns for his second year on Lady Vees coaching staff. A fourth year Concurrent Sport and Physical Health Education student, Scott helped the women’s team as an Apprentice Coach last season. This year he has made the jump to Assistant Coach. A native of Sundridge Ontario, Scott graduated from Almaguin Highlands Secondary School in 2005. As a member of the Highlanders he was two time athlete of the year and was basketball and volleyball MVP. In four years of senior basketball Scott led the team to three consecutive OFSAA appearances, highlighted by a fourth place finish in 2004. “Scott possesses an understanding of the game far beyond his years, a great memory and an untouchable work ethic” according to Coach Clarke. “He aspires to be a CIS Head Coach and I have no doubt he will one day achieve his goal. I am very happy to have him as a member of our coaching staff”. Scott will graduate from Laurentian as a certified Math and Phys-Ed teacher in 2010. He has completed his NCCP Level II certification, and is currently pursuing Level III.

Assistant Coach: Bill Gordon

The Lady Vees basketball team is excited with the addition of Bill Gordon to the coaching staff. Bill brings a diverse and extensive coaching resume to the team. A Sudbury native, Bill began coaching at the Post-secondary level in 1994 when he served as Assistant Coach as the Cambrian College Men’s basketball team. He then moved on to Brandon University, where he was the Assistant Coach from 1994-1996 and was a member of the 1996 CIAU National Champion Bobcats team. Bill returned to Sudbury and became the Head Coach of the Cambrian College Men’s team from 1998-2001, leading the team to the Provincial Championships in 1998 and 2000. After Cambrian College folded their team in 2001, Bill joined the Laurentian Voyageurs Men’s coaching staff from 2002-2005. Bill is currently a Social Studies teacher at Lasalle Secondary School where he is the Senior Girls coach. According to Coach Clarke, “I feel lucky to be able to have someone with Bill’s experience join our team. He has a great eye for detail and is able to provide excellent feedback both to me and the players. We are greatly improved with his addition to the team.”