Remembering 2016: When TMU basketball teams made history
“It was thick. You could feel the energy in the air.”
That’s how Mariah Thomas, player from the women’s basketball team remembers the night TMU (then the Ryerson Rams) made basketball history.
On that night 10 years ago, both teams won championships just 10 minutes apart. The men’s team beat the Carleton Ravens 73–68 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC), while the women’s team beat the Ottawa Gee-Gees 66–60 on the road in Ottawa.
The women's win
The women's basketball team celebrating their win in Ottawa.
Head Coach Carly Clarke guided the women’s team to its first-ever OUA title.
“Those were the first championships for TMU in any sport,” says Clarke. “It was an exciting milestone for our department and for the university.”
The women’s team had three senior players. Mariah Thomas and Keneca Pingue-Giles brought leadership that changed the team. Clarke remembers everyone focusing on the same goal.
“Their drive, passion and connection really spread throughout the whole team,” says Clarke. “Their leadership was contagious, they had a great level of connection and care that I think helped get us over the top in those big moments.”
Mariah Thomas: From player to life coach
Mariah Thomas played on the women’s basketball team. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Criminology and later played basketball professionally. She is now a certified life coach and counsellor with plans to become a therapist.
Thomas transferred to TMU from a Division I program in New Jersey. She quickly felt the difference on a team where she felt valued.
“The most vivid memories for me were actually off the court,” says Thomas. “The locker room conversations and the everyday moments really built our bond.”
A turning point came when Clarke presented her vision for the team's championship journey.
“That moment was such a pivotal moment for me, and I think for all the other ladies in the room, because we all fully bought in,” says Thomas. “We bought into the vision, and that was the actual day that we won. I truly believe that journey starts within our hearts, and because we believed we could win, we did.”
Keneca Pingue-Giles: From court to courtroom
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts, Criminology and a Masters, Public Policy & Administration, Keneca Pingue-Giles worked with the provincial government and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. She went to law school and is now a corporate lawyer.
Pingue-Giles felt confident going into the championship game. She remembers Clarke’s focus on the process and all the work the team put in throughout the regular season and playoffs.
“I think everybody really believed that we were going to win. I don't think there was any doubt in our mind, despite the fact that the game was close,” says Pingue-Giles. “There's no part of me that thought we were going to lose that game.”
Pingue-Giles played on the women’s basketball team for five years. During the 2015–16 season, she was named national player of the year—the first female athlete at TMU to receive the honour.
She describes her time at TMU as some of her most formative years.
“I really think that my role on the team taught me resilience, grit and perseverance," says Pingue-Giles. “All the different life skills that you learn from playing on a team gives you skills that allow you to succeed, not only in your professional life, but in life in general.”
The men’s win
The men’s basketball team pose with TMU president and vice-chancellor, Mohamed Lachemi.
Former Head Coach Patrick Tatham guided the men’s team to victory in his first year coaching at that level.
“It was my first year and we ended up winning after a losing record,” says Tatham. “It was the first time in the school’s history and on our own court - it was unbelievable, I'll never forget it for the rest of my life.”
He remembers 2016 as a legendary moment for everyone. He’s proud to see how the athletes have succeeded after graduating.
Aaron Best: Building a winning culture
Aaron Best played on the men’s basketball team and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce and currently plays basketball professionally on Canada’s national team.
Best describes the win as surreal. He led the team with 21 points and is grateful to be a part of the winning history.
“We were trying to change the culture and build a winning program,” says Best.
On and off the court, TMU played a huge role in Best’s relationships, memories and lessons learned. One of his favourite memories? Proposing to his then-girlfriend on senior night.
“It’s super special to be a part of that team, not only because of the group we had that year, but to me it was a culmination of the teams before it,” says Best. “I’m thankful to all the teammates and coaches I had over the years because we built something special.”
After graduating TMU, Best played basketball overseas. He recently returned to TMU to play in the World Cup Qualifier at the MAC, where Canada took on The Bahamas.
Adika Peter-McNeilly: Passing on the legacy
Adika Peter-McNeilly played on the men’s basketball team and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Sociology. After graduating he played basketball professionally and is currently a coach at The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Edmonton.
Peter-McNeilly remembers the men’s team striving towards the win. They always talked about becoming the best team in Ontario and going to Nationals.
When the team was down by 15 points, Coach Tatham gave a pep talk in the locker room. He hyped up the team and reminded them of their chance to make history. He encouraged the team to have fun and play their hardest.
“I was grateful for the incredible staff at that time. The most important thing with our season was there were so many ups and downs,” says Peter-McNeilly. “We knew it wasn't going to be easy, so to actually set out this goal and fulfill it was great.”
Now as a coach in Edmonton, Peter-McNeilly tries to instill his team with the same values.
Join the celebration
TMU Athletics is recognizing the 2015-16 champion women's team during halftime on Friday, January 30 at 6pm at the Mattamy Athletic Center (MAC). A celebration for the men's team will follow at a later date.
Come celebrate this historic moment in TMU basketball history.