The men’s basketball team of Memorial University Sea-Hawks has returned to training at the Field House, gearing up for the upcoming season under new leadership. Igor Stjepanovic has taken over the head coach position after Ian Coultas left in May. Having served as the lead assistant at Acadia University and with experience at various other institutions, Stjepanovic expressed his excitement about this new opportunity to lead the team.
The Sea-Hawks are aiming for a stronger performance in the upcoming 2026-27 season as they look to build on last year’s 8-12 record, which secured them a playoff spot in the Atlantic University Sport conference. Stjepanovic aims to enhance the team by tapping into basketball networks nationwide to recruit talented players.
Stjepanovic emphasized the importance of continuous improvement, stating, “We need to get better every single day.” He also highlighted his coaching philosophy centered around fostering strong relationships with student-athletes to facilitate effective teaching and ultimately, success on the court.
Players, both new and returning, are enthusiastic about the season ahead. John Purchase, a talented 18-year-old forward from St. John’s, is thrilled to make his university sports debut with his hometown team. Fifth-year point guard Jodick Moudiandambu expressed his determination to win a championship, especially in his final year, alongside his teammates.
The Sea-Hawks are set to kick off their season against the University of New Brunswick this Friday. Fans can stay updated on CBC Newfoundland and Labrador through the free CBC News app for push alerts and daily headlines newsletters.
