Mabey leaves strong legacy with UNBSJ volleyball program
Published Saturday June 27th, 2009
For the last nine years, Geoff Mabey has poured his heart and soul into coaching the men's volleyball team at the University of New Brunswick Saint John.
While it's hard to imagine him leaving, the 38-year-old won't be on the sidelines for the upcoming season. Mabey is leaving UNBSJ for an athletic therapist position at UNB Fredericton. The Saint John native will work with varsity teams in volleyball, basketball and swimming.
"Everything has to change sometime,'' said Mabey. "Nine years is a long time, but it's a career move, and I have to think of that too. I went out winning, so that was a good thing.''
Mabey's successful run saw the Seawolves win two Atlantic Colleges Athletic Association championships, including last season's 2008-09 team that went to the nationals in Fort McMurray, Alta. As for individual highlights, Mabey won three ACAA Coach of the Year awards.
But his legacy involves more than banners and trophies. He instilled a sense of pride and tradition that made current players aware of the program's past.
"I think the guys who are here now understand they actually owe something to the guys who have come through the program,'' Mabey said. "At the start of last year, we actually had a meeting where I laid out all the pictures of past teams out on desks. The (current) players came in and looked at all of them, so they know who they're playing for.
"They're not just playing for their year, they're playing for two decades of people who were here and battled. I think (current players) realize there's more to it than the year or years they're playing. They're playing for a lot of other people, too.''
Mabey started playing volleyball as a 10th grader at Saint John High School. He was a setter for UNBSJ in 1989-90 before playing a season at UNB.
His respect for tradition at UNBSJ was bolstered when he played senior volleyball with members of the Seawolves squad that went undefeated in 1994-95. That was before the team played in the ACAA, when there was no next step.
"They kind of joke around about it, but it's actually a big deal that they could have done one of the best jobs at the national tournament that any ACAA team has done,'' Mabey said about the 94-95 team. "They never had a chance, but that legacy carries on.''
Prior to winning last season's ACAA championship, Mabey guided the Seawolves to the 2004-05 conference crown. He captured Coach of the Year honours after both of those titles, and also won the award for the 2007-08 campaign.
Six players from last season's squad earned spots on New Brunswick's Canada Games team - Kyle Blanchard, Nathan Munroe, Colin Rouse, Chika Ikejiani, Brian Brigden and Mark Dean.
"I guess it's a testament to what we're doing,'' Mabey said. "There are other good players who are on that team aside from them, but it kind of shows we're doing the right thing here.''
Mabey's work with the UNBSJ program isn't finished just yet. He'll help with summer fund-raising while working with the school in search of his replacement.
"The main thing has to be keeping the program going and having a love for the game,'' Mabey said. "There also has to be a desire to make more of these guys than just volleyball players. We need someone who will help the players become men and do other things later on in life.
"That has to be part of the vision. It's not just about winning games. You have to be (involved) in what they're doing. I think that's part of being a coach.''
Mabey said he'll follow the Seawolves in 2009-10. He's intent on seeing current players uphold the sense of tradition he helped create.
"I think these guys have a great opportunity. They're ambassadors for the school and the game of volleyball. I'll always be interested in what they're doing.
"That comes back to the type of men we have here. I have nothing but great things to say about UNBSJ.''
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