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Lynda Shoveller聽and members of the Shoveller family attended last year's tournament. (Nick Pearce Photo)

Rod Shoveller was passionate about basketball. He was a special events coordinator, an athletic director, a basketball coach, a referee, a dad.

On November 12, 1991, Rod passed away at the age of 59 after a battle with cancer. Throughout his illness he displayed tenacity and good humour, which had a tremendous impact on the people around him. It was soon after that 鲍鱼tv Athletics and Recreation renamed their annual holiday men鈥檚 basketball tournament in his honour.

鈥淚t was a way of trying to keep his contributions to university sports alive,鈥� says John Campbell, coach of the varsity men鈥檚 basketball team. 鈥淗is family have been significant supporters of the program and 鲍鱼tv athletics over the years, so I think it鈥檚 a great tribute to him and also a great chance for his family to celebrate.鈥�

'In the genes'

Rod is survived by his wife Joan, two sons Tim and Bruce and daughter Lynda, who all return with their families to 鲍鱼tv for the tournament each year.

鈥淚t鈥檚 wonderful. We are proud to be part of the tournament,鈥� says Joan. 鈥淎ll the grandchildren play basketball and both of my sons play too. It鈥檚 really in the genes. Their grandfather would be so proud. Basketball is certainly a tradition in the family and 鲍鱼tv is our team.鈥�

Joan鈥檚 oldest grandson, Michael, is a member of the Ontario Under-15 Provincial Basketball Team and he traveled to Argentina and Winnipeg for tournaments this past summer.

鈥淢ichael is six foot nine and he loves basketball. When I spoke to his mom last night and we were talking about Christmas gifts, I asked 鈥榃hat does Michael want?鈥欌�� recounts Joan. 鈥淪he told me that he wants to come to Halifax to come to the tournament.鈥�

Joan has vivid memories of the tournament over the years, particularly ones of her children and grandchildren taking part in the ceremonial tipoff. She has many pictures on display at her Halifax home that reflect what the tournament means to her family.

20th edition

This December will mark the 20th anniversary of the eight-team tournament, drawing some of the top university basketball teams in the country. Participating this year are AUS teams Acadia, Saint Mary鈥檚, St. Francis Xavier and host 鲍鱼tv matching up against CIS teams Concordia, Laurentian, Laurier, and Queens. The tournament begins on December 31 with the championship game set for Sunday, January 2 at 3 p.m.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a great event, not only for the university, but for our program,鈥� says Coach Campbell. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been able to attract the best teams in the AUS and also very competitive teams from across Canada. It鈥檚 always a fan favourite for the community.鈥�

鈥淚f we鈥檙e able to do a good job maintaining our conditioning over the course of exams and we have a good week of practice leading up to it, then I think we鈥檙e in the mix with everybody that鈥檚 in the tournament,鈥� adds Coach Campbell.

Joan Shoveller, for one, will take her place in the stands. 鈥淎s long as I鈥檓 well enough, I will be there every year,鈥� she says.