After two seasons leading the Lakehead Thunderwolves women’s basketball program, Hugo Boisvert is heading a little bit closer to home. The Montreal native has been named head coach of the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks women’s basketball team, taking over after a tenure in Thunder Bay that followed assistant coaching stints at Laval, for both the men's and women's teams.
The job will not be an easy one. The Ridgebacks stumbled to a 1-21 record a year ago, and have managed just 10 wins overall since the program's debut in the 2019-20 season. Optimism, however, exists in the form of young players like Kaleah Gosse, who averaged 12.1 points per game and earned a berth on the OUA's All-Rookie Team. OB.SESSED had the chance to speak with Boisvert to talk about his new role.
What got you into basketball?
Boisvert: Initially my older brother, he was the one that introduced me to the game on the blacktop and in the driveway. When I think back some of my earliest memories of the game are with him.
Was coaching always an avenue you wanted to explore and how did you get into coaching?
Boisvert: I would say that I knew very early that coaching was going to be an avenue that I wanted to pursue. I didn't have the opportunity to play in University so I played a couple years at the CEGEP level in Quebec.
Even during the years where I was still playing, I already started to get involved as a volunteer coach with my former high school program and just giving back to the coaches that had invested in me. From there I knew that this was a career that I wanted to pursue and I always wanted to keep basketball in my life after I stopped playing."
Tell me a bit about your coaching journey up until now.
Boisvert: When I stopped playing, I immediately immersed myself in coaching, initially at the high school level, for close to seven years. I was mostly on the boys side initially, and tried to coach as much as I could, involve myself in every summer camp I could, got involved with the Quebec provincial teams for a number of years, pretty much every age group.
After that, in 2019 I got the opportunity to become the lead assistant at Laval University so I worked over there for four years with the women's program. During that time I also did two years where I worked with the men's program. After that in 2023 I had the opportunity to take over as the head coach at Lakehead University, and now, just starting a new chapter at Ontario Tech.
What made you decide to become the head coach at Ontario Tech?
Boisvert: From a personal standpoint, the location was somewhere I could see myself longterm and getting closer to my family and friends was a big part of the decision. I also have a strong belief in the program's potential for growth in the next couple years. Ontario Tech is a young program and I believe that there's everything here to develop a highly competitive organization.
What would you say is the most fulfilling aspect of coaching?
Boisvert: The most fulfilling aspect without a doubt is the impact off the court. When you hear from former players that you were able to inspire or shape their paths in a positive way, that's what it's all about and to me that's your true value as a coach. You're not going to know in the moment but you'll know down the line in five years, ten years what your true impact was.
What are some qualities you try and bring as a coach?
Boisvert: I'd say preparation, work ethic. I think if we ask our athletes to be committed and work on their crafts and be as prepared as possible, I think we as coaches have to walk the walk and bring the same attitude on a daily basis. That would be the first thing. Second, I would say humility. I know I'm not perfect and I want to remain open to feedback and criticism whether that's from my players, my staff or people outside the program. Lastly I would say empathy. I want to demonstrate care with my players and really all members of our program.
What can Ontario Tech fans expect as you take over the program?
Boisvert: They can expect a coach that will be fully committed, fully committed to our student athletes on and off the court, fully committed to the growth of this program and our community. From a basketball standpoint I've always emphasized a fast pace style of play. I think fans can expect us to play a unselfish and disciplined brand of basketball on both ends of the floor and compete with a high level of effort.
The Ridgebacks tip off their regular season on Saturday, Oct. 25, with a trip to Thunderbay to take on the Lakehead Thunderwolves.