Niagara Knights Hall of Fame Member ('03) Mike Hurley was named the co-winner of the Sport Niagara Champion of Sport award on Thursday morning at the Sport Niagara Awards Breakfast. Hurley, who also serves as the Facilities Coordinator in the Niagara College Department of Athletics & Recreation, is one of the Niagara Region's foremost basketball volunteers.
During 2015 Hurley dedicated over 1,200 hours to youth basketball programming across Niagara through the Pelham Panthers basketball club and No Limit Performance training. He dedicates himself to developing the sport across the Niagara Region to the tune over three hours a day, seven days a week. He even spends his vacation instructing at the prestigious Olympia Sports camp.
With the Pelham Panthers, Hurley wears many hats, serving as a Vice-President, Select Convener, House League Coordinator, Equipment Manager and Scheduler. He also serves as the head coach of the U13 boys team that finished the season in Division 2 ranked 12th place in Ontario out of 100 teams, as well as the head coach of the reigning Division 1 OBA Champions U10 girls' team (defeating teams almost exclusively from the GTA). In 2015 for the Panthers organization alone he directed a series of free girls skill development clinics (age 7-11), directs the Panthers winter and summer camps, directed boys and girls summer leagues (age 8-11), directs the Panthers summer training program, organized the Pelham Canada Day Parade, the running of the annual outdoor streetball marathon event, and planned a series of outdoor 3v3 tournaments.
In addition to his multiple roles with the Pelham Panthers, Hurley serves as a trainer and consultant with No Limit Performance basketball where he provides high level 1-on-1, small group, and large group training sessions. His reach extends to over 750 kids across the Niagara Region with No Limit Performance and the Pelham Panthers. Hurley also provided coaching and training sessions to over 25 teams in 2015, and he serves as a registered clinician for the Ontario Basketball Association.
Over the last five years he has helped over 45 players attain scholarships to continue their playing careers in post-secondary institutions. A decorated and accomplished for post-secondary basketball star himself, Hurley has seamlessly transitioned into the coaching and sport administration world, dedicating himself to grassroots basketball and growing the game across the Region.
Other finalists for Sport Niagara awards included Lorelle Weavers (Female Athlete of the Year); Evan Littlefield (Male Athlete of the Year); Cameron Thin (Coach of the Year); and the Niagara Knights golf team (Team of the Year).
