JACQUELINE LAVALLEE

University of Saskatchewan Huskies Basketball Assistant Coach Jacqueline Lavallee’s eyes were opened to endless opportunities in sport at her first experience with the Saskatchewan Games. Jacqueline competed in track and field at the 1992 Saskatchewan Summer Games and realized one sport was not enough for her. She says she loved the excitement and camaraderie that the Games offered, but the real takeaway was when she realized her passion for sport expanded far beyond track and field. She went on to play basketball at the 1995 Western Canada Games and soccer at the 1997 Canada Games. Among a number of awards and titles, she was twice named a Canada West all-star midfielder for soccer as well as All-Canadian in 1999. In basketball she is a three-time Canada West all-star point guard (1997, 2000 and 2002) and an All-Canadian in the 2001-2002 season. Further, she received the Tom Longboat award in 2000, recognizing outstanding aboriginal ability and the National Sylvia Sweeney award as CIS Top 8 Academic All-Canadian. With a firm belief that the Games’ offer a steppingstone for young athletes to compete at higher levels, Jacqueline says the Games’ legacy lies in how it offers insight to what sport can be with a great support system.