The Short List

Editor’s Note: The Short List is a new monthly column dedicated to the events we hope will raise the roof. Each column will be penned by a UCalgary Alumni champion whose eclectic interests will be reflected in their piece. This month, we caught up to UCAA Board member Ian Minnifee, BA’94, who is a lifelong champ of all-things Dinos — having played varsity basketball while attending UCalgary. Here’s what’s on Ian’s roster: 
 

If you scroll through my resume — past the last 22 years where I’ve been a wealth strategist in the financial services industry — you’ll see that I’m an economics grad from UCalgary. But my time on campus was so much more than lecture halls and assignments; in fact, much of it was about basketball and hanging out with Rex. Yes, I was a member of the men’s basketball team but that could have easily ended when I graduated. But, it didn’t. It seemed . . . well, just too important.

So, I continued to promote the basketball community and eventually became a founding member of the Dinosaur Basketball Foundation. That, in turn, prompted me to look at other ways to support and promote our student-athletes which then led me to complete two terms as a UCalgary Senator UCalgary Senate - "We are all Dinos".  I guess I’m trying to say that my time as a Dino, back in the late ‘80s, has shaped a big part of my life.

And my interests — which is why you may find me at a lot of upcoming basketball events:

Feb. 21  The Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams will most likely be hosting quarter-final matches of the Canada West Conference Championships. At the time of writing this piece both teams are undefeated and sit at the top of their respective conferences in first place.

Mar. 13-15 UCalgary will host the USport Women’s National Volleyball championships.  This is a great opportunity to see some of the best female volleyball athletes in the country compete for the top spot.  For all things Dinos visit Dino playoff schedule

April 14 Hosted by the University of Calgary Senate, the Lecture of a Lifetime series showcases the talent and achievements of leading scholars and celebrates outstanding service to the university, its students and the greater community.

June 23-28 I’ll be on my way to Victoria, B.C., to cheer on our Canadian Men’s National Basketball team as they compete for a final spot at the upcoming 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. This will be the most significant men’s competition in Canada since Toronto hosted the FIBA World Cup in 1994. One of the six participants will advance to compete later in July at the Olympic Games in Tokyo: Tokyo 2020 Olympic Men's Basketball Final Qualifying tourney in Victoria

For those of you who have a special person in your life I hope you are able to spend some quality time with them this upcoming Valentine’s Day and if you have family close by, then perhaps an opportunity to do the same with those on Family Day.