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53-463: Réal Bourassa was granted an expansion franchise in the PBL for the 2009 season. However, on February 5, 2009, the PBL canceled the franchise after it emerged that players weren't being paid. A dispersal draft of Sasquatch players was then conducted. On February 11, the PBL announced that Soar Enterprises, another ownership group, would take over the franchise and play the remainder of the season. The squad

106-538: A pre-game brawl . The Halifax Hurricanes , with a larger ownership group than the Rainmen's single owner, replaced the Rainmen in NBL Canada for the 2015–16 season . The American Basketball Association announced on August 23, 2006, that Halifax, Nova Scotia , had been granted an expansion franchise for the 2007–08 season. A local contest was later held among fans to help name the team, and on December 19, 2006,

159-576: A family illness and was replaced as head coach by Rick Lewis. Shannon Hansen and Daniel Freiberg joined Lewis on the coaching staff as assistants. The Rainmen's first two player signings were Peter Benoite and Chad Eichelberger. Benoite was a former CIS standout for the Memorial Sea-Hawks , and is currently the Sea-Hawks head coach. Days before their first game, the Rainmen announced the signing of star Canadian guard Jermaine Anderson ,

212-720: A former Manchester Millrat , and Cordell Jeanty, formerly of the Montreal Royal . Jimmy Twyman and Brian Silverhorn returned to the team along with newcomers Kevin Hammack and Tyronne McNeal. Forward Kadiri Richard was granted a release and was signed by PBL rival the Wilmington Sea Dawgs . On November 17, the Rainmen re-signed All-Star Eric Crookshank, who had turned down offers from the Vermont Frost Heaves and various overseas teams to sign with

265-534: A future first round pick. The Rainmen announced the trading of their 2012 first-round draft pick Anthony Johnson to the Laval Kebs in return for All-Star guard Eddie Smith. They have also signed point guard Darren Duncan, forward Hillary Haley, guard Joel Smith and Halifax native and St. Francis Xavier University ("St. FX") alumnus Tyler Richards . Each player had attended Halifax's pre-season camp. The Rainmen began their pre-season on Sunday, October 21 versus

318-628: A game and earned the title of MVP in the AUS. The Halifax Rainmen added former NBA players Orien Greene and Richard Delk to their roster. The Rainmen also made their first trade of the season, trading former NBA player Rodney Buford to the London Lightning in exchange for 6'6" forward Tyrone Levett. The Rainmen signed 6'9 centre Stevy Worah-Ozimo, but waived him days after. They also activated 6'9 centre and former NBA player Eddie Robinson . The Halifax Rainmen added 5'9 guard Chris Hagan to

371-491: A more likely expansion target would be the 2009–10 season. On June 23, the Rainmen joined the Premier Basketball League . The Rainmen kicked off their inaugural PBL season by placing former Rainmen Eric Crookshank, Kadiri Richard, Brian Silverhorn and Jimmy Twyman on their protected players list, giving them exclusive PBL negotiating rights to the four. Halifax then received the second overall pick in

424-475: A new logo and approach to Canadian University sports. The name was chosen in part to better represent Canada as a bilingual nation with a united name as opposed to separate acronyms. The new name and look were also intended to increase the marketability of Canadian University sports. The U Sports member institutions offer athletic scholarships known as Athletic Financial Awards (AFA); subject to minimum academic requirements. The AFA's are capped and may not exceed

477-410: A targeted fund especially designed to off-set a student-athlete's tuition and living costs. The University of Windsor has an Adopt-A-Lancer program, for example. U Sports has no regulations regarding how much each school can provide to teams through private support. The Université Laval's Rouge et Or football team, winner of seven of the last 12 Vanier Cups , is so successful with fund raising that

530-582: A team as the Halifax Hurricanes , with a larger ownership group of local businessmen including Levingston (who joined the Hurricanes as its general manager), replaced the Rainmen in the market beginning with the 2015–16 NBL Canada season . The Scotiabank Centre multi-purpose indoor sporting arena located, in Halifax, Nova Scotia , Canada. The arena has a capacity of 11,093. The Rainmen share

583-829: A veteran member of the Canadian National basketball team. The Rainmen played their inaugural season in the Northeast Division of the Blue Conference in the American Basketball Association . The team won its first-ever game on November 15, 2007 at the Metro Center, against the Boston Blizzard by a score of 136-103, in front of 4,343 fans. Halifax went on to lose seven straight before their next win, against

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636-535: Is the Sasquatch roster before the PBL removed the Sasquatch from the league. Head Coach: Alejandro Hasbani In the PBL dispersal draft four players were selected: All other Sasquatch players were given their unconditional release and became free agents. Head Coach: Tito Destin * Originally a home game for Montreal Halifax Rainmen The Halifax Rainmen were a professional basketball team based in Halifax, Nova Scotia , Canada. They played in

689-749: The Atlantic Division of the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL) and their home games took place at the Scotiabank Centre , formerly known as the Halifax Metro Centre. Andre Levingston was the owner of the Rainmen since he helped establish the team in 2006. The team played their first season in the American Basketball Association (ABA). However, after becoming unhappy with the ABA, they moved to

742-631: The Moncton Miracles for their first-round draft pick Anthony Johnson. The Rainmen also landed guard Brandon Robinson from the Oshawa Power for cash and a 2013 third-round pick. Robinson was the Rookie of the Year in 2011–2012 and averaged a league best 19.86 ppg. After the draft, owner Andre Levingston commented on the draft trades. "Robinson led our league in scoring last year and is probably

795-542: The Montreal Royal . The Rainmen ended the season with a record of 12 wins and 20 losses. Eric Crookshank led the Rainmen during the season, averaging 20.5 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. He was also named to the All-ABA first team. Crookshank and Brian Silverhorn were both chosen to represent the Rainmen at the 2008 ABA All-Star Weekend, in Vermont. Halifax lead the American Basketball Association in attendance during

848-616: The Premier Basketball League (PBL) for the next three seasons. In 2011, they joined the NBL Canada as one of the original seven teams. Despite showing success in the four seasons they spent in the Canadian league, making two Finals appearances, the Rainmen filed for bankruptcy in July 2015. The team was coming off a controversial loss in the 2015 NBL Canada Finals against the Windsor Express and forfeited Game 7 after taking part in

901-553: The Summerside Storm at the Halifax Metro Centre . On November 13, 2012, the Rainmen ended the contract with head coach Cliff Levingston after a poor start to the season. Colter Simmonds filled in as interim head coach until the next head coach will be announced. On November 15, 2012, the Rainmen named former Laval Kebs head coach Rob Spon to the same position. The Rainmen had the second-best record in

954-404: The 2010 season. During the pre-season, the Rainmen added Kavon Jones, Josh Dollard, Tajuan Porter , Mike Mercer , Marshall Brown and Tommy Mitchell while welcoming back veteran players Eric Crookshank and Desmond Ferguson to the roster. The Rainmen also re-signed 6'1 point guard Taliek Brown, who joined the team during the 2010 season but did not play due to a family emergency. On January 14,

1007-676: The 2024–25 season, students will be able to receive athletic scholarships regardless of the grades they receive in their final year of high school or CEGEP. U Sports institutions will also be required to give a minimum of 45 per cent of their total athletic scholarship units to athletes on men's teams and a minimum of 45 per cent to athletes on women's teams. Sports sanctioned include the following: basketball , cross country , curling , field hockey (women), football (men), ice hockey , rugby union (women), soccer , swimming , track and field , volleyball , and wrestling . Championships Championships U Sports hosts national championships for

1060-681: The Canadian Women's Interuniversity Athletic Union (CWIAU), which had formed in 1970, merged with the CIAU; the expanded CIAU reinforced its university focus by adjusting its name to the Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union. In June 2001, the membership of the CIAU voted to change the name and logo of the organization to Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS). On October 20, 2016, CIS announced that it would be changing its name to U Sports, accompanied by

1113-599: The PBL Entry Draft, held in Chicago, Illinois . With the pick the Rainmen selected former Acadia Axemen all-star Walter Moyse . With their second-round pick, Halifax selected David Bailey , formerly of the Maryland Nighthawks . Ultimately, Moyse could not come to terms with the team. In early November 2008, the Rainmen signed Bailey for the 2009 season, along with former ABA All-Stars Rob Sanders,

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1166-450: The PBL's operations this season. I want nothing but the best for our city, our fans, our sponsors, and our players, and I can say with confidence that the best is no longer found in the PBL." The Quebec Kebs followed suit one day later. On May 12, 2011, the Rainmen, Mill Rats, and Kebs founded the National Basketball League of Canada . The Rainmen were one of seven teams competing in NBL Canada's inaugural season, joining past PBL rivals

1219-588: The Quebec Kebs and Saint John Mill Rats along with new teams the London Lightning , Moncton Miracles Oshawa Power , and Summerside Storm . The head coach was Pep Claros . Before the season, the Rainmen signed Halifax native, 6'0 guard, Christian Upshaw . Upshaw was the third-highest scorer in the Atlantic University Sport the previous year, averaging 18.9 points a game for St. Francis Xavier University (St. FX). In 2009–2010, Upshaw

1272-554: The Rainmen failed to qualify for the PBL playoffs. Following the season, Millien was named "PBL Newcomer of the Year" while Tony Bennett was named to the PBL All-Defensive team. The Rainmen's first move of the 2010 season was to re-sign coach Les Berry. Berry and team owner Andre Levingston began recruiting during the offseason and signed a number of players, including former NBA'er Desmond Ferguson . Tony Bennett, Eric Crookshank, and John Strickland were all re-signed for

1325-487: The Rainmen. Later that month, the Rainmen signed Jason McGriff, Rodney Mayes and Canadian Jabulah Murray. McGriff and Murray failed to report to the team. With training camp underway, the Rainmen signed shooting guard Glen Dandridge, a former three-year member of the University of Missouri basketball program, to fill the void left by their departures. Halifax won in their Premier Basketball League opener 110-108 versus

1378-766: The arena with the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . The building is next to the Former World Trade and Convention Centre , at the foot of Citadel Hill and it is the largest arena in Halifax. Canadian Interuniversity Sport U Sports (stylized as U SPORTS ) is the national sport governing body for universities in Canada, comprising the majority of degree-granting universities in

1431-444: The best two guard in our league. He's a very explosive guy. He can score in different facets of the game. He's definitely going to add an element to our game that we lacked last year, which was a guy that can get his shot any time he wants it." It was announced by the Rainmen that they had re-signed All-Star Canadian guard Joey Haywood. The Rainmen also released fan favorite Eric Crookshank and traded Taliek Brown to Quebec Kebs for

1484-484: The cause. On February 3, the team released Rick Lewis, the head coach and general manager, citing poor results in weekend games at Vermont and Manchester . The team's record was 6-5 at that point, dropping the Rainmen a game behind in a tight divisional race with Vermont and Manchester. Rodney Mayes, one of the last of the players signed in late November, was also released. Assistant Shannon Hanson served briefly as interim head coach. Following Lewis' dismissal, Crookshank

1537-476: The coaching staff, a $ 20,000 fine was also imposed on the organization itself due to "conduct detrimental to the league." Over two months later, the team filed for bankruptcy and was nearly $ 700,000 in debt, ultimately folding. Owner Andre Levingston said, "While it's disappointing to see this chapter end, I can hold my head high knowing that we did everything we could have done. I love this game and I love this city." The market, however, would not be left without

1590-667: The collapse of CIAU Central as there was no forum to evaluate or research policy in order to adjudicate conflicts within the organization At the same time women's programs were expanding and required organization. In 1923, the Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Union (WIAU) was founded to provide athletic competition for female students in Ontario and the Ontario-Quebec Women's Intercollegiate Athletics (O-QWICA) coordinated programs for female students in Ontario and Quebec. With

1643-851: The collapse of the CIAU Central in the mid-1950s, calls for a new, national governing body for university sport accelerated. Once the Royal Military College of Canada became a degree granting institution, Major W. J. (Danny) McLeod, athletic director at the RMC directed the establishment of the Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union (CIAU) in 1961. With financial assistance from the federal government , universities committed themselves to excellence in their sports programs, increased their schedules, and assigned coaches to year round programs to assist

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1696-534: The country and four regional conferences: Ontario University Athletics (OUA), Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ), Canada West (CW), and Atlantic University Sport (AUS). The equivalent body for organized sports at colleges in Canada is the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Some institutions are members of both bodies for different sports. The original Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union (CIAU)

1749-511: The decision for his resignation came after he was presented with an opportunity to build his career outside of the sports arena. Two days later, former NBA player, scout and coach Mike Evans was named as head coach of the Rainmen for the remainder of the 2011 season. The Rainmen ended their 2011 season as the fourth place team in the PBL after falling to the Lawton Fort Sill Cavalry in the final game of their series (1-2). In

1802-524: The end of the regular season, the Rainmen finishedsecond in the NBL Canada standings and were in good position to make a run at the title. They defeated the Quebec Kebs in the first round of the playoffs. They then went on to face the London Lightning in the finals. Coming back from a 2-0 start which included a huge comeback in the last seconds of game 3, the Rainmen tied the series 2-2. They lost

1855-445: The federal government in identifying talent, national training centers, provision of facilities, sport research, and testing, all with an eye on developing international competitors. Major McLeod ran the CIAU from his office at RMC as the first CIAU Secretary-Treasurer. In the 1960s the CIAU functioned as a voluntary, autonomous, educational sport organization which represented by the various universities from coast to coast. In 1978,

1908-682: The first game of the series, the Cavalry beat the Rainmen in Halifax by one point in overtime. Four days later, the Rainmen beat the Cavalry by ten points in Oklahoma, where the Cavalry had not lost in three years. After the controversy surrounding the Rochester Razorsharks's advancement through the PBL playoffs, the Rainmen joined the Saint John Mill Rats in disassociating themselves from the PBL within one hour after

1961-486: The game and the championship to the Express. Coach Pep Claros was nominated coach of the year, but also suspended by the league for life following an investigation of the brawl. Following the 2015 NBL Canada Finals brawl with the Windsor Express , the Rainmen were fined a total of $ 90,000. While each player that participated in the altercation was forced to pay $ 5,000 each and serve an indefinite suspension along with

2014-527: The hosting Quebec Kebs on January 2, 2009. Earlier in the day, the Rainmen signed guard Zach Ramey, formerly of the Rockford Fury . The Rainmen played their home-opener seven days later against the Kebs, winning in front of over 4,000 fans. On January 14, the team suspended star Eric Crookshank for the season, with pay, following a series of conflicts with Coach Rick Lewis. The Rainmen did not comment on

2067-468: The injured reserve list. The Halifax Rainmen signed Darnell Hugee as well as waiving guard Darrin Dorsey. Taliek Brown, Canadian Joey Haywood and Tyrone Levett were all selected to participate in the 2012 NBL All-star game. Lawrence Wright led the Rainmen in scoring with 15.41 ppg. Taliek Brown proved to be a true point with his team-leading 3.05 apg and fan favorite Eric Crookshank grabbed 6.88 rpg. By

2120-539: The league and were the Atlantic Division champion. They advanced to the championship round vs the Windsor Express , which was supposed to come down to a decisive Game 7 hosted by Windsor. Unfortunately, before Game 7 could even begin, the two teams brawled, police were summoned and the Rainmen left the Windsor Arena. Despite calls to the owner and team to come back by league officials, Halifax forfeited

2173-403: The next three road games took place. However, the venue arranged for the reconstituted team's first home game, on February 27, fell through; the visiting Halifax Rainmen objected to an alternate gym and the PBL ruled that it did not meet league standards. A home game against Wilmington the next day was likewise cancelled, and the remaining home games were played at the opponent's venue. This

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2226-483: The organization added former NBA Development League Forward/Centre James "Boo" Jackson to their lineup. On January 22, the Rainmen announced the addition of Kirk Snyder to their roster but after playing three games between January 23–30, they waived him. On January 24, Les Berry's tenure as Head Coach of the Halifax Rainmen ended by mutual consent. While the Rainmen had been pleased with Berry's performance,

2279-470: The organization unveiled that they would be known as the Halifax Rainmen. The Rainmen hosted the 2007 ABA All-Star Game ten months before the team started play. Joe Newman , the league's chairman, figured it would be an excellent way to promote Canadian expansion. On May 30, 2007, the team announced their home venue, the Halifax Metro Centre , and head coach, Kevin MaBone. Mabone later stepped down due to

2332-624: The playoffs ended. The decision to withdraw from the league was made upon the Rochester RazorSharks being crowned as PBL champions over the Lawton Fort-Sill Cavalry, with controversies over the officiating of games, as the RazorSharks and the league share a common owner. Rainmen owner Andre Levingston was quoted as saying, "I am appalled by the officiating that took place during the playoffs, and am ashamed of

2385-606: The roster and released Richard Delk. Hagan played NCAA Div-1 basketball at Midwestern State University and professionally in New Zealand . The Halifax Rainmen released their 2011 draft pick, 6'4 Canadian Papa Oppong, and the ex-NBA player Orien Greene. The Rainmen signed 6'9 Canadian Troy Gottselig and placed Abdullahi Kuso on injury reserved. Gottselig was later released after the signing of forward Richard Anderson. The Rainmen continued to make moves as they released ex-NBA player Eddie Robinson and activated Abduhalli Kuso from

2438-456: The series 3-2. After the season, Chris Hagan, Lawrence Wright and Abduhalli Kuso all chose to sign to other teams. On August 27, the second annual NBL Canada draft took place. The Rainmen did not have a first-round pick due to an early trade in the season but held the seventh pick in the second round. The Rainmen drafted 6'2 guard Courtland Bluford. After the draft, the Rainmen announced they traded Tyrone Levett and Christian "T-Bear" Upshaw to

2491-506: The team trains in Florida during the spring. Canadian Hockey League teams offer financial support for their graduates – who attend school within two years of playing major junior – who choose to play for a U Sports school after graduating from major junior hockey based on a model where the league will give scholarships commensurate with the seasons they played in the CHL. Beginning with

2544-502: The value of the tuition and compulsory fees for the student-athlete. Universities also may provide additional non-athletic awards including academic scholarships and needs-based grants for athletes in addition to this cap, provided the additional awards do not include athletic criteria. In 2008-09 one in two U Sports athletes was receiving an athletic scholarship. Increasingly, U Sports schools are offering booster-support programs, where alumni, parents and/or corporations can donate money to

2597-580: The year. On March 19, 2008, the Rainmen withdrew from the ABA due to the ownership's dissatisfaction with the league's management. The team announced their intention to pursue membership in the NBA Development League . D-League president, Dan Reed, visited Halifax and the Metro Centre. While he stated was impressed with the city, owner, and arena, he said that for travel costs and other reasons, 2008–09 expansion would be unlikely, and

2650-417: Was founded in 1906 and existed until 1955, composed only of universities from Ontario and Quebec . The semi-national organization, CIAU Central, provided common rules and regulations. A growth spurt between 1944–55 saw the CIAU Central grow into a large group of nineteen (19) member universities each of which had diverse enrollment, philosophy, and practices both academically and athletically. The result saw

2703-499: Was named MVP of the AUS and was a CIS All-Canadian. Due to a violation of league and club policies, the Rainmen suspended centre DeAndre Thomas indefinitely and forward Eric Crookshank for one game. The Rainmen signed 6'1 Canadian guard Joey Haywood. Haywood attended Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and went on to become the leading scorer for three straight years in the CIS. The previous season he averaged 28.9 points

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2756-430: Was reinstated. On February 5, the Rainmen announced Halifax native Les Berry as the new head coach. Berry previously led Acadia University within one win of the national CIS Men's Basketball championship. The team was then bolstered by the signings of guard Tony Bennett who played his college ball at Bradley University and PBL leading scorer A.J. Millien. Although Berry lead the team to a record of 6 wins and 3 losses,

2809-623: Was to be known as Team Montreal as Bourassa retained the rights to the name Sasquatch. The Sasquatch were one of four teams in the PBL Atlantic Division that enhanced their 20-game PBL schedule with 6 exhibitions to compete for the "Champlain Cup." When the Sasquatch were removed from the league, the other teams decided that the remaining, unplayed exhibitions involving the Sasquatch would be treated as forfeits. The PBL, which arranged all league travel, intervened heavily to ensure that

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