We’re used to cheering for our beloved Cougar basketball teams. But at the staff drop-in on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, it was Men’s Basketball Head Coach Earl Grant who was doing the cheering.

“Thank you for what you do on campus,” said Grant to a gathering of more than 150 staff at the McAlister Hospitality Suite in TD Arena. “Basketball is such a small, little part of this institution.”

Noting all the various academic and campus offices that support the College, Grant said, “Your job and what you do for this place is so much more important than the small piece we do in basketball. I look at it as we’re vessels of this one big body and we’ve all got a job to do to try to make this place a better place.”

As the men’s basketball team prepares for its first official game of the season on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, Grant thanked staff for their continued support of the team.

“With your help we’ve been able to protect this home court and really represent well here,” said Grant, referring to the team’s undefeated 14-0 record at home last season.

To cap off the event, raffle prizes, including a basketball signed by member’s of the men’s basketball team, were handed out to winning staff.

Hosted by the Staff Advisory Committee to the President, the drop-in event is one of many initiatives the committee has undertaken to strengthen connections among staff. (Photos by Heather Moran)