Olga Hrycak, the Head Coach for the University of Quebec in Montreal and former Team Canada assistant, announced her retirement this past Wednesday. Throughout her illustrious career, Olga coached over 38 years in Canadian intercollegiate Men’s basketball and was an assistant coach for four years with the Senior Men’s National Team from 1984-1987.

“Congratulations to Olga on her recent retirement from coaching,” said Senior Men’s National Team Head Coach, Jay Triano. “Needless to say she was a pioneer who I had the opportunity to be coached by during my years on the National Team. As a colleague, friend and fellow coach her service to the game is legendary.”

The two-time CIS Coach of the Year won two Quebec University Championships in 2006 and 2010. Olga was a trailblazer in Canadian basketball history as she was one of the first females to ever be a part of a Men’s Olympic coaching staff in 1984 – helping to lead Canada to a fourth-place finish. She was the Head of Mission for Canada Basketball while also being a valued Board of Directors member. For three years, Olga was the only women unanimously elected to the FIBA Technical Committee as well. Her imprint on the international and collegiate game has definitely been cemented.

Olga had a lot of charisma and was well-liked by former Canada Basketball Executive Director, Rick Traer. “My favorite memory of Olga was traveling back to Canada with bags of cash in her role as Head of Delegation related to reimbursement for Canada's participation in international tournaments in the Jack Donohue era.... and responding ‘no’ to the question: ‘Anything to declare?’”

Olga has certainly left a profound impact on Canadian basketball history and paved the way for female basketball coaches for years to come.

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