VANCOUVER - It's the end of a much-celebrated era for the UBC Women's Basketball program as after more than 27 years of devoted service as head coach Deb Huband has announced her retirement.
 
Huband has had a remarkable career at UBC, lifting the program to lofty heights as the longest serving and most successful women's basketball coach in school history. She's led the T-Birds to three national titles (2003-04, '05-06, '07-08) and four conference championships (2006-07, '07-08, '11-12, '14-15) while also claiming both the Canada West and U SPORTS Coach of the year award in 2003-04.


 
"Coaching at UBC has been a privilege and I am extremely proud of our women's basketball program, the staff and the players," said Huband in reflecting upon her magnificent tenure with the T-Birds. "Coaching has provided me with an avenue to explore my competitive nature, passion for sport, love of teaching and enjoyment of the team environment. However, the most cherished aspect is the relationship with the athletes and supporting their growth through our treasured time together. I want to thank the athletes for their trust, loyalty and commitment, and I feel enriched to have taken this journey together."


 
"Over the last three decades, Deb has been synonymous with success," added Kavie Toor, UBC Managing Director of Athletics and Recreation. "In addition to cementing her legacy as one of the greatest basketball coaches this country has produced, she has helped shape the lives of hundreds of players. Deb's commitment to her craft, to her players, and to promoting inclusivity and making our community a better place will continue as a lasting impact of her many years of service to UBC Athletics. We look forward to celebrating Deb's legacy in person in the fall and we are grateful for her exceptional contributions to the women's basketball program."


 
On January 11, 2020 thanks to a 100-57 Thunderbirds win over the visiting Trinity Western Spartans, Huband made history in earning her 338^th regular season victory to become Canada West women's basketball's all-time coaching wins leader. Huband broke the previous mark held by a mentor of hers, former Victoria Vikes coach Kathy Shields. Huband went on to coach the T-Birds to six more regular season victories to close out the 2019-20 campaign, her 26^th and final season, and will walk away with the record sitting at 344 wins.


 
Just one month after setting the new benchmark, Huband would enjoy another tremendous milestone as her extraordinary university playing career was recognized, leading her to be named as one of U SPORTS' Top 100 women's basketball players of the century.
 
Huband began her decorated career at Concordia (Que.), becoming a QUAA all-star in her rookie season, before moving to Bishop's in Lennoxville, Que., where she captained the Gaiters to three consecutive QUAA titles from 1977-80. She was a three-time CIAU (now U SPORTS) All-Canadian and was honoured as the Bishop's Female Athlete of the Year three times.



Huband's single-game career high of 50 points with Bishop's tied her for the unofficial U SPORTS record until it was surpassed two seasons ago (2017-2018)

Huband was also a standout on the international stage, joining the national team as a player in 1978 as the starting point guard and captain of the Canadian squad that earned a fourth-place finish – the best-ever for the program – at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. She was also the starting point guard of the bronze medal-winning world championship teams in '79 and '86.



Huband was inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994, and the Basketball BC Hall of Fame in 2017.

She also holds a spot in the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame, the Basketball Ontario Hall of Fame and the Concordia Hall of Fame (along with her 1976-77 teammates). Additionally Huband has been honoured by the Nepean Sports Hall of Fame and has a place on the Bishop's University Wall of Distinction.
 
Before becoming head coach at UBC, Huband served a stint as an assistant coach from 1988-91 and throughout her most recent tenure at UBC also revisited her national team roots on several occasions in many coaching roles with Canada Basketball. Huband was an assistant coach with Canada's senior national team – a position she started in 1998 – at the 2000 Olympic Summer Games in Sydney, Australia. In the process, she became one of the few Canadian basketball players to participate as both a player and coach in the Summer Olympics.


 
Huband was the mentor coach on the Cadette women's team that competed at the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship in France. She helped guide Canada to a silver medal at the 1999 Pan American Games and was the head coach of Canada's squad at the 2001 Summer Universiade in Korea.
 
In March 2018 Huband was one of two women recognized with the Promotion Plus In Her Footsteps honour for her outstanding contribution to the advancement of women and girls in sport and physical activity.


 
Her athletic achievements go beyond basketball as Huband is also a member of the BC Football Hall of Fame. On Oct. 5, 2019, she was inducted into the Team Category as a former player with the 1986-1991 Vancouver Mardi Gras Women's Touch Football Club.
 
"I would like to thank the University of British Columbia and the Department of Athletics for taking a risk on a young, inexperienced coach 27 years ago and supporting me in my role as head coach and steward of UBC Basketball," Huband added. "I feel sincere gratitude for the opportunity to work with an outstanding collection of people at UBC including staff, colleagues, coaches, alumni and donors. Special acknowledgement to my lead and long-time assistant coach Carrie Watts for her character, loyalty and contribution to our successes. Her dedication, skill set and capacity has greatly impacted our program and helped foster the exemplary reputation of UBC Basketball. Furthermore, I'd like to express my gratitude to my fellow Canada West and U SPORTS coaching colleagues for challenging me every day to grow, and for continuing to advocate for women in sport and equality."


 
Huband embodies excellence and professionalism having played, coached and won at the highest levels throughout her basketball journey. UBC Athletics has been extremely fortunate to have such an accomplished and inclusive role model as the heartbeat of a championship program since 1995. Deb's influence has inspired a generation of student-athletes and she'll continue to be a mentor on and off the court in our community.