Quest University pulls the plug on all Varsity Athletics

Quest University to suspend Athletic Department following 2017/2018 season
February 5, 2018

Quest University - Last week on February 1st, news began to circulate on social media that Quest University had decided to suspend Varsity Athletics upon the completion of this year's competitive schedule. Quest University currently has men’s and women’s varsity basketball and soccer teams. By February 2nd, the news was confirmed and current student-athletes, alumni, and supporters all took to social media to voice their displeasure with the decision.

Former Men’s Basketball Head Coach and Athletic Director Sean Shook made these comments in a tweet “Disappointed to hear about the cowardly act to pull the rug out from the student-athletes at Quest University by the board and president. With the lack of leadership in athletics these student-athletes are paying the price.”

Photo: Vancouver Sports Pictures

Above all, community anger came from the fact that the decision to suspend the athletic department came out of nowhere, with no consultation, and the timing of the announcement, two weeks after the decision was made on January 13, 2018, after most other post-secondary school’s deadlines for applications/transfers.

Doug Plumb, local basketball influencer and now professional coach said “It’s a real shame what has transpired at Quest University with the axing of the athletic program. Those student athletes now have to choose between chasing their dream elsewhere and losing the credits they earned at Quest or stick with their academic pursuit but let go of playing sports at the university level.”

‍Photo: Vancouver Sports Pictures

It really is a shame for the Vancouver Basketball community to lose the Quest Kermodes program, as up in Squamish the basketball community is very strong, and it is common for the gym to be packed for all home games. The school was founded in 2007, and the basketball teams were the very first varsity sports to be included on campus. As any start-up program would expect, the success didn’t come right at the start. For both men’s and women’s teams, they built the right way with strong recruiting that paid off down the road.

Men’s Basketball Highlights:

2012/2013 PacWest Bronze Medal

2013/2014 PacWest Bronze Medal

2013/2014 CCAA Nationals Host School and 6th Place Finish

2015/2016 PacWest Bronze Medal

Jose Colorado - 2nd most points in PacWest History with 1259

Sean Shook - 8 Year Head Coach, former Athletic Director, now Lead Assistant for SFU Men’s Team

Cassidy Kannemeyer - Past Assistant Coach, now Head Coach at Capilano University.

‍Photo: Quest University Athletics

Women’s Basketball Highlights:

2013/2014 - PacWest Champions

2014/2015 - PacWest Champions

2014/2015 - Undefeated (21-0) PacWest Season

2014/2015 - Coach of the Year, Dany Charlery

Photo: Quest University Athletics
‍Photo: Quest University Athletics

There is an online petition circulating which currently has 272 signatures, and 30 pages of comments and statements from the Quest University community and supporters. To make your voice heard click on the image below, sign the petition and leave your thoughts.

Click the logo to sign the petition