WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Blue Cross, Wheaties to honour Hemmings

Published on November 5, 2004 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, Manitoba - The Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings, in conjunction with Manitoba Blue Cross are pleased to announce plans to honour the winningest coach in Canadian University history at next Friday's game at the Keystone Centre against the visiting Tri-City Americans.

Jerry Hemmings has been coaching basketball for the past three decades and was head coach of the Brandon University Bobcats until 2003. A native of Mount Airy, North Carolina, Hemmings has compiled an impressive list of accomplishments since coming to play at Lakehead University in the early seventies. Following is a list of Jerry's achievements during his long and illustrious career in the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union:

· 734 Career Coaching Wins · 4 National Titles · 13 Final Four Appearances · 21 Appearances at the National Championships · 19 Conference Championships

As well, Jerry served as head coach of the National University Team at the 1991 World University Games and worked as an assistant coach on the National Team in '89, '90 and '94. A former winner of the H.L. Krug Crawford Memorial Medal as Western Manitoba's Sportsman of the Year, Hemmings was also chosen by the Manitoba Coaches Association as their Coach of the Year in 2000.

Not only was Hemmings instrumental in building Brandon University into a national basketball power, the former Great Plains Athletic Conference first all star earned quite the reputation for developing outstanding athletes. In fact, during his tenure at B.U., Hemmings coached thirteen First Team All Canadians, thirteen CIAU National Team All Stars, four CIAU National Tournament MVP's and four CIAU Players of the Year.

By being recognized at next Friday's WHL game, Hemmings will become the first ever winner of the Manitoba Blue Cross Performer of the Month, which is presented throughout the year to local athletes, coaches, volunteers or event organizers that have made an impact on sport throughout western Manitoba.

"We're excited to be a part of this program and this community," says Manitoba Blue Cross Vice President of Sales and Marketing Ken Hildahl. "By working with the Wheat Kings and by having the opportunity to recognize valuable contributions made by such individuals as Jerry is very satisfying. It's an outstanding way to show our support to western Manitoba."

Manitoba Blue Cross is a Proud Sponsor of the Wheat Kings and Western Hockey League.

Hemmings, who is currently coaching in Austria will be back in Brandon next week to accept this award as well as attend a special Dinner in recognition of his many accomplishments the following night.

The Wheat Kings would like to remind fans that they can nominate their local Performers by filling in the form, currently available on the hockey team's official web site at www.wheatkings.com.

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