Camosun Chargers honour graduating athletes & coach

Fifth year student-athletes Botting, McConnell, and Wilmott will be honoured Friday night for their dedication to the men's basketball team. Friday night

Before their game on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, the Camosun Chargers men’s basketball team is excited to honour three graduating players and their head coach as he moves into a new role within the college.

In between the women’s and men’s games (W6pm, M8pm), the Chargers will recognize three fifth-year basketball student athletes, Jake Wilmott, Riley Botting, and Madhu McConnell, with a special presentation. The men’s basketball head coach, Scot Cuachon, will also be recognized for his 12 years of dedication to the program.

“The Chargers have had the great fortunate to have Jake, Riley, and Madhu for so many years,” says Cuachon. “They have personified our values throughout their time here including choosing to stay dedicated throughout the COVID season, leading our training without the rewards or goals that come with the opportunity to compete. Their leadership, commitment, and stewardship of the Chargers is inspiring and remarkable.”

Cuachon adds, “Their selflessness extends to the court where each of them model the ‘work for each other, work together’ spirit that they have helped to instill in the program. They bring a high level of skill, an elite understanding of the game of basketball, and an ability to contribute at the times their teammates need them most that every program values in their athletes.”

Local-product, Wilmott (St. Michael’s University School), joined the Chargers for the 2016-17 season, and received the Team Leadership Award for his support of his teammates during the 2019-20 season. The 6’3” guard is finishing his Education Assistant and Community Support studies this winter.

The 6’4” forward from Tofino, Botting (Ucluelet Secondary) spent years as a Charger and returned to Camosun, following a brief break from competition, for his final season. Botting will complete his Bachelor of Business degree in accounting.

McConnell (Oak Bay High School) joined the Chargers for his final two years of competition in the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST). The 6’1” guard is completing the Business – University Transfer program this semester.

“I could not feel more honoured and privileged for the opportunity I have had to work with such fine people throughout the years,” adds Cuachon. “It has been an embarrassment of riches to have the careers of Jake, Riley, and Madhu aligned in such a serendipitous course. I am filled with gratitude for the experiences, lessons, and relationships we have shared.”

Originally from the Philippines, Cuachon came on with the Chargers as an assistant coach in 2010 and took over at the reigns in 2012. In his 12 years behind the bench with the men’s basketball team, he has never missed the playoffs and has earned a PACWEST silver medal and (3) bronze medals. The Chargers men’s basketball team qualified for the 2016 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) National Championship, where the team finished in eighth. Cuachon has accepted a new role as Manager, Athletics and Student life within the college, and will still be supporting the Chargers team.

“Camosun is very proud of all our student-athletes, coaches and staff,” says Lane Trotter, President of Camosun. “As head coach, Scot is what the Chargers seek to exemplify in his passion, humility and steadfast leadership of the team. He is well respected among his peers, co-workers, and athletes and we are very happy that he will be continuing his career with Camosun in a different role.”

Cuachon adds: “It has been amongst the greatest honours of my life working with our athletes for the last 12 years. The sense of fulfillment I have felt is unequivocal and I have the deepest gratitude for these experiences. However, I’m not going anywhere. I will be working harder than ever to ensure that we provide our student athletes a world class experience.”

With the final home games for the Camosun Chargers men’s basketball games scheduled this weekend, it is also their final push to finish the regular season within the top teams of the standings. The team currently sits in second place (10-4), just four points shy of top spot, with four games remaining before playoffs.

The Chargers basketball teams match up against the Columbia Bible College (CBC) Bearcats on Friday (W6pm, M8pm) and the Capilano Blues on Saturday (W1pm, M3pm). Fans will have the chance to win a variety of Chargers-branded prizes during the weekend matchups.