Inspiring a new chapter of Mountaineers' pride

In November, the Hamilton Celtics U12 girls' basketball team experienced a day that will live on in their memories for months—if not years—to come.

The young athletes, led by Coach Shayla Vize, a Mohawk College alumni and assistant coach, Melinda Scott, were invited to a special behind-the-scenes game-day experience with the Mohawk Mountaineers Women’s Basketball team.

The Celtics, one of Hamilton’s oldest basketball clubs dating back to the early 1990s, have an especially meaningful link to Mohawk College. Of the team’s eleven players, eight have parents who are Mohawk alumni, including three whose parents are former Mountaineer athletes in basketball and soccer. And three sets of parents even met at Mohawk College. Many had not been back to campus in decades. The updated facilities and atmosphere left a lasting impression.

"It looks so different from when I went, but also, I could feel the familiarity of the campus. It was fantastic to see the improved facilities and show my daughter where her parents went to school," says parent, Mohawk College alumnus and former varsity soccer player, Elisa Groves. "It was incredible to see these amazing women playing basketball at such a high level and show our daughter such relatable role models right here in our own community."

During their visit, the Celtics watched the Mountaineers warm up from the baseline, cheered from courtside, and formed a high-energy tunnel for both the team’s entrance and the starting lineup —a highlight for the girls as they saw the incredible production including lights and music. “It was electric,” shares Coach Vize.

Mountaineers Coach Mihai Raducanu also gathered the girls into a huddle to speak about the college's values and the importance of supporting teammates. The team was also invited into the locker room for the pre-game talk. The Mountaineers players further elevated the experience by offering high-fives, greetings, and on-court acknowledgments that made the young athletes feel welcomed and inspired.

This unique opportunity not only gave the U12 Celtics a firsthand look at the dedication and energy of college-level basketball but also inspired a new chapter of Mountaineer pride.