Jennings' bench revamped for 2023-24
Since Damian Jennings arrived on campus from Wales in 2012, the University of Calgary Dinos women's basketball team has become a launching pad for coaches into full-time careers in the sport.
Since Damian Jennings arrived on campus from Wales in 2012, the University of Calgary Dinos women's basketball team has become a launching pad for coaches into full-time careers in the sport.
MacEwan University's Katherine Adams (2012-15) and Matt Spencer (2013-20) of StFX University both lead their respective U SPORTS Women's Basketball programs after serving alongside Jennings on the Dinos bench. Now, four additions to the coaching staff will look to make their mark in Calgary.
Bobbi-Jo Colburn, Philippe Mvondo, and Joanna Zalesiak have been brought on as assistant coaches, while Darian Mahmi takes over as team manager.
"It is one of the more rewarding experiences as a head coach to be able to play a part in the development of those that have entrusted their futures to you, and I am personally really excited about the next chapter of on-court coaching leadership for the Dinos women's basketball program," said Jennings. "At the end of the day, it is the players that benefit the most as we put such a complimentary set of personalities and backgrounds together to enhance their experience here at the University of Calgary."
Colburn is a familiar face in the Jack Simpson Gym after an extended playing career with the Dinos. She spent parts of seven seasons in Calgary, accumulating more than 900 points in over 2000 minutes during her Canada West career. A member of the conference all-rookie team in 2016-17, she helped the Dinos to three U SPORTS Final 8 appearances and finished her career with a pair of Canada West medals.
During the Covid-19 cancelled season in 2020-21, Colburn played professional basketball for Baerum Basket in Norway. She graduated this year from UCalgary with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with an embedded certificate in Leadership Studies from the Haskayne School of Business.
Mvondo joins the Dinos after serving as the lead assistant coach of the Trinity Western Spartans women's basketball team and lead assistant coach for the Red Deer Kings men's basketball team.
Originally from Paris, Mvondo played professional basketball in France before moving aboard. He obtained a bachelor's degree in Foreign Languages & Linguistics from Ibn Khaldoun University in Istanbul, Türkiye.
Zalesiak won't be completely foreign to the Jack Simpson Gym. After beginning her collegiate career with the UTEP Miners in the NCAA, Zalesiak transferred to the Regina Cougars where she was a key contributor for three years, including a perfect 20-0 regular season in 2011-12. She was a conference all-star each season, a two-time U SPORTS All-Canadian, and was the 2011-12 Canada West Player of the Year.
The native of Gorzow Wielkopolski, Poland played professional basketball in her home country, as well as Slovakia and Sweden before returning to Canada.
Mahmi was a four-year member of the MacEwan Griffins women's basketball team before an injury sidelined her for the 2022-23 season. She graduated this year from MacEwan with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
"To be able to invest in Bobbi-Jo and Philippe full-time on their coaching journey, whilst they invest in the Dinos family is a truly wonderful prospect," shared Jennings. "Adding Joanna and Darian really has just made the level of support we can offer our players that much more comprehensive – I couldn't be more pleased with the fit of everyone on staff."
Coming off a Canada West silver medal and a trip to nationals last year, the Dinos women's basketball team will begin pre-season competition in September. They open their conference campaign in Victoria on Nov. 3, leading into their home opener on Nov. 10 versus the Manitoba Bisons. Season tickets and single game tickets are on sale at GoDinos.com/Tickets.