On October 30, 2021, the University of Lethbridge honored Perry Mirovich and Shawna Kolaczek by retiring their jersey numbers. The formality took place between the Women's and Men's games at the University of Lethbridge's 1st Choice Savings Centre. We were fortunate to be able to ask them both some questions leading up to today's jersey retirement. Below you'll find Perry's interview, Shawna's interview, and the University of Lethbridge announcement regarding the jersey retirement. Congratulations to both Perry and Shawna.

Q: What sports did you play growing up?

A: Lots...baseball, tennis, soccer, a little bit of hockey, football, badminton, then picked up basketball and I was terrible at them all. I was usually the last pick when teams were organized so I know all too well that pain and embarrassment

Q: What role do you feel sport played in your development from childhood through university?

A: It played a huge part in my development, I learned so much about life through sports, especially basketball. Working with others towards a goal, dealing with disappointment, failure, success, pain. I learned how to push myself when I couldn't take another step, to extend my physical and emotional limitations to try and get to where I needed to be, and dealing with the frustration of not getting there right away (I am very impatient). Developing a sense of humility and the importance of building others through positive support as they helped me in the same way, to understand that to get somewhere you just can't show up, or whine, and expect to get there, that it takes passion, work, time, effort and patience. And love, we don't use that word in sports enough, to love the sport I was learning, and the people I played with as they became part of my family, to have their backs as they had mine, to fight for what we believed in...and the value of trust, honour, and integrity. To back up what you say and to be there for a teammate, for a friend, for a family member. I have failed at times to be there and have been haunted by that but it made me learn how to be stronger, more giving of myself.

Q: What was it that drew you in about basketball?

A: My brother, my idol, introduced me to the game. I used to go to his games and was inspired by him to play this magnificent sport. I would play with him and of course, being so much better than I, he would destroy me but I learned from those experiences. I have tried to tell him what his influence has meant to me but I have never been successful in expressing the depth of how much he helped me. The friends I made along the way, a deep bond that I can't describe adequately, those who have played understand. Something about the game fascinated me; the teamwork, the skills, the athleticism (of which I had none), the thrill of motion, playing a chess game in person at high speed, the strategies. It was the action of it all; making a complex play work, pinning an opponent's shot to the backboard, hitting the winning shot, dunking over two people, an impossible pass, it's all those things and countless more experiences that drew me back time and time again. I would fall asleep thinking about the game. I would dream about the game and I still do.

Q: What are some of your fondest or proudest memories pre-university of basketball or sport in general?

A: Absolutely the best thing about basketball has been the relationships I have made. Even if I haven't seen a team mate for some time, when we do get in touch it is like we just finished practice even though it may have been years since I have seen them. There are teammates who have become brothers of mine who I see regularly, to play golf with, to visit with, to watch the Horns together. This has been the best thing by far, indescribable, magnificent! Of course, when we get together so many basketball stories erupt, so much laughter, so much love. Every time I see them I feel at peace, like the world is a better place.

Q: Recalling back to not making your grade 7 junior high team, what was your response to the disappointment? Do you feel that the experience was a significant moment in your basketball journey?

A: Not making that team was devastating for me, and a turning point in my life. When I was in grade 7 I fought through the crowd to see if my name was on that list up on the bulletin board and hearing my friends cheering with joy that they made the team, I was crushed that my name was not up there. I checked three times to make sure but sure enough, I was not good enough to make it. I went to find some privacy and I cried. So, when announcements were made during the last class of the day that the boys basketball team should leave class to catch the bus for the game I sat there, listening to the excitement in their voices, not hearing a word the teacher said for the rest of the class, dreaming about making that team, and planning how I would do it. Then they would talk about the game the next day, telling all kinds of grand stories and I made a pact with myself that I would not get cut again. I did, but at the highest level. I set goals for myself, after I got cut in Grade 7. I was going to make the Olympic Team and get drafted by the NBA. My friends thought I was insane as I was terrible. I did not have the strength to get the ball to the hoop on a free throw or even make a layup. However, I felt at that young age, if you are going to dream, why not dream big?

I had a fire in my gut and it burned every day. So, I begged my Dad to put a hoop up on the driveway and he bought me a basketball. I drove my neighbours crazy. I shot every day, morning, noon, and night. The constant sound of a bouncing basketball and the ball hitting the rim for thousands of hours was too much for some of them, but I did not care. All I could think about was getting cut and how that felt. I shot when it was 38 above and 38 below, in blizzards and snowstorms, in the wind. I would clean the driveway with a snow shovel and then sweep the residual layer so I could make my cuts, toque on my head, wearing a down filled jacket and my Mom's leather gloves as they would offer some protection and still give me a feel for the ball. I played every chance I could; open gym, intramurals, pickup games, at home, with friends on their driveways, I was a basketball nomad, going anywhere there was some action. I subscribed to Sports Illustrated so I could read about the NBA and college ball, looking at photos of these players for hours, analyzing their body positioning, what they were looking at, inspired by their stories. I would watch tv in our unfinished basement, sitting on a chair and dribbling for hours, I would watch what NBA I could access, try to get NBA films, watch what they would do and go out and try to master those moves. I would watch the Harlem Globetrotters and practice their fancy moves and ballhandling skills. I would watch commercial men's league at Wilson Jr High and learn from them. I would always try to play against better players who would destroy me so I could learn how to be quicker, to use my body more effectively, to get the jump shot off faster, how to do double and triple pumps to avoid taller players willing the jam the ball down my throat. I barely made the team in grade 8, rarely played, never complained, I just worked harder. Grade 9 I played because I was in grade 9 . Grade ten I made varsity and had a great, fantastic coach with Pete Neufeld but still did not play much. I worked harder. Made the team in Grade 11 and 12, Pete did not coach anymore and Glen Alexander took over, who was amazing and he changed my life.

I can't thank those men enough.

I met with resounding failure at first, got laughed at quite a bit but that stopped after a while. All those repetitions started to pay off, things started to click, but it took years and countless blisters for me to build any semblance of athleticism. Even then, I was never satisfied with any result, no matter my point total or performance it was never enough, I always tried to get better.

Q: What was your post-secondary decision like and what ultimately brought you to the U of L?

A: I was recruited by Canada West universities, Simon Fraser and a couple of places in the States, but I chose Lethbridge as it was close to home and of course, less expensive, and it was the best basketball decision I made. I loved that place and program and still do, to this day.

Q: What role do you feel being active in sport during your developmental years played in you ultimately having such a fantastic career as a Pronghorn?

A: All the lessons I learned from those sports led to being a Horn and going on beyond that, to the Olympic team, the NBA tryout, and Europe. But far more than that I was incredibly lucky to have the people in my life who helped me through so much. My parents who were wartime refugees but fought for a life for my brother and I, my brother who was and still is my idol, my teammates who are family to me, the coaches I have had, as I mentioned earlier but also people like Ken Olynyk who was instrumental in my development both as a player and as a man. My kids and wife who have been there and made my life complete even after my basketball days. How do I thank them, how can I possibly tell them what they mean to me? Everything I have said or tried to express falls short of how I feel for them. Love is too weak a word.

Q: What sports did you play growing up?

When I was growing up I played all the sports that my four brothers and two sisters played. We played softball, track & field, badminton, volleyball, and of course, we all played basketball.

Q: What role do you feel sport played in your development from childhood through university?

Sports were always a big part of my life, all of my family was involved in sports from early on in life. Both of my parents played different sports and when we got old enough to be involved in organized sports we started playing. I played other sports but was the most successful in basketball, and so I figured that I would continue to see where it would lead me.

Q: What are some of your fondest or proudest memories pre-university of basketball or sport in general?

The biggest memory is a hard one. There are so many big things, but the one that stands out is when I was on a pentathlon team with 3 other athletes, one of them being my older brother Chris. We ended up winning the gold medal at the Alberta Games and I don’t think we were the favorites but in the end, we won.

Another one was the Hot Shot Shooting contest that was held every year during the half-time of the basketball playoffs that are held every year at the Sportsplex in Lethbridge. I won the contest when I was in the 9th grade. It was a big thing at the time to be in the contest and to win it was even bigger for me.

Q: What was your post-secondary decision like and what ultimately brought you to the U of L?

When I was finishing high school, I was recruited to go to the Lethbridge Community College and the University. I wanted to go to the university because I thought I would like to become a physiotherapist, but I wanted to play basketball too. I think playing basketball was more important than school was.

Q: What did your career look like after playing at the U of L?

After I was finished playing at the university, I ended up coming over to Germany to have a very successful international career. I was also a member of the Canadian National team. I ended up meeting my husband and now have 2 great daughters, Bailey and Amy. I have seen places in the world that I never would have seen had it not been for basketball. I have some great friends that I have met playing basketball and without basketball I would have missed out on a lot of good stuff. Basketball has been a big part of my life and it has taken me all over the world. Of course, I have missed some things because I was playing basketball, but I would not change anything that I have done.

Q: What role do you feel being active in sport during your developmental years played in you ultimately having such a fantastic career as a Pronghorn?

I think playing so many different sports made me more of an all-round athlete. A lot of kids try to specialize in just one sport and by playing more sports you will become a better all-around athlete. Each sport builds other qualities and you don't become a one-sided athlete.

Q: What role did your family have on you growing up playing sports as well as in your university career?

My family played a huge role in me becoming a good athlete. We grew up on a farm outside of Cardston so the only people you had to play with were your family. We played every sport that the older kids played. Of course, they made it hard and if you didn’t tough it out you couldn’t play. I think that made me stronger because I had to prove that I could play with them. They also pushed me to be a better player, no matter what sport we played. My brother and sister were also successful athletes in football, baseball, and track & field.

My parents were the biggest supporters that we had. They gave us every chance we needed to be successful. The weekends were spent running between sports fields, gyms, and everywhere we played and they were at almost every game that we played. No matter where we played they were always there from the very beginning to the very end of our careers. Now they go and watch the grandkids when they play their sports. I couldn't have asked for a better support system than the one I got from my family. Without them, I wouldn't have gotten into sports.

Q: How has basketball impacted your life post-graduation?

Basketball has been a huge part of my life. I have been to places that I never would have been able to see had I not been on the national team. I would never have met my husband and had my two daughters, Bailey and Amy if I hadn’t come to Germany to play professional basketball. I have met some great people and friends through basketball and that is a very big part of my life. I have had some great teammates, coaches over the years that have helped me to become the player and person that I am. I wouldn't change anything. All the time I spent in the gym practicing alone or with my brother and sisters, coaches or teammates, traveling.. it has all been worth it.

Almost 30 years after playing my last game at the U of L, never did I think that one day they would retire my jersey. I still can't believe that on Saturday my jersey will be forever hanging in the university gym!

Pronghorn Athletics to enshrine two basketball greats in 1st Choice Savings Centre rafters

4/28/2021 10:30:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE – Two of the most highly decorated Pronghorn athletes to ever step on the hardcourt will be enshrined in the rafters of the University of Lethbridge's 1st Choice Savings Centre next season. Shawna (Molcak) Kolaczek and Perry Mirkovich will have their jersey numbers retired as Pronghorn Athletics reinvigorates a campaign to celebrate its rich history.

"Part of being a Pronghorn athlete is continuing the legacy of those exceptional student-athletes who established the foundation of our programs," says Pronghorn Athletic Director Neil Langevin. "We have, in various ways, honoured some of these foundational athletes and now we are committing to a consistent program whereby we celebrate their contributions to Pronghorn Athletics in a manner befitting their accomplishments."

Perry Mirkovich

Lethbridge, Alberta product Perry Mirkovich joined the Pronghorns men's basketball team in 1975 after graduating from Winston Churchill High School. Mirkovich developed into a tremendously versatile guard/forward who hit shots from long range, made short pull-ups or could fly high above the rim.

"Perry Mirkovich is one of the most skilled and outstanding university basketball players I had the good fortune to coach," says former Pronghorn head coach Ken Olynyk.

Playing all five years of his collegiate eligibility in the Horns' blue and gold, Mirkovich was named to the Canada West All-Star team in each of his final three seasons and won back-to-back Canada West scoring titles in 1978-79 and 1979-80.

He also wrapped up his university career by being named to the CIAU All-Canadian team in his final season, and was honoured as the U of L Male Athlete of the Year in 1980.

At the end of his Pronghorn career, Mirkovich held the school's all-time scoring record with 1,690 points, a record in place for nearly 20 years. He still remains second on the all-time scoring list and is third in career rebounds with 757.

Mirkovich had also set the program's single-season record for points in a game, scoring 43 on November 9, 1979 versus the Victoria Vikes — a record he shared until 2018.

Following his Pronghorn career, Mirkovich was named to the 1980 Canadian National team, and despite Canada boycotting the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, he is officially recognized as a Canadian Olympian.

During the qualification process for the Olympics, Mirkovich helped Canada to a silver medal at an Olympic qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico.

Later that summer, he was selected in the sixth-round of the NBA draft by the Portland Trailblazers. He was also named the Southern Alberta Male Athlete of the Year.

"Perry was a dominant force on the court, drafted by the NBA in 1980, a European pro and most importantly one of the finest people I have come across in my lifetime," continues Olynyk. "Following four decades of friendship, I am extremely pleased the University of Lethbridge is bestowing this deserving honour and recognizing Perry's accomplishments by retiring his uniform."

Shawna (Molcak) Kolaczek

Another southern Alberta product, Shawna (Molcak) Kolaczek starred for the Pronghorns from 1986 to 1991 and her accomplishments in blue and gold are remarkable.

"It is truly awesome that Shawna has been chosen as the first female student athlete at the University of Lethbridge to have her jersey retired," says former Pronghorns women's basketball head coach Trix Baker. "She was one of the most successful athletes to come out of the University, and it was a great pleasure for me to have coached her at the university, provincial and national program level."

The Canada West Player of the Year for the 1988-89 season, Kolaczek was also a four-time Canada West All-Star, three-time CIAU All-Canadian and the U of L Female Athlete of the Year four years running (1987-91).

Now 30 years after she last wore the Horns' blue and gold, she is still the program's all-time leader in points (1,551) and assists (368). Her career point total is still among the top 15 in Canada West history.

Kolaczek was the Canada West scoring leader for the 1988-89 season and was named to the 1988 CIAU All-Tournament team as the program made its second-ever appearance ever at the national tournament.

"An outstanding scorer and playmaker, Shawna was not only a prolific scorer, she made all her teammates better as she distributed the ball through her great court sense and basketball IQ," adds Baker.

On the international stage, Kolaczek represented Canada continuously from 1990 to 2000, highlighted by being a member of the 1996 Canadian Olympic team at the Atlanta Olympics.

She won a bronze medal at the 1990 World Student Games and helped Canada to gold at the 1995 America's Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Kolaczek went on to play elite European professional basketball, including seven years in Germany and one in Greece, and was named a First Division All-Star on three separate occasions.

"She was a physically gifted athlete who showed great durability and strength throughout her career, seldom missing practices or competitions for any reason," continues Baker. "Always there for her teammates, she could be relied on to give it her very best each time she stepped on the court. A great role model for future basketball players!"

Pronghorn Athletics looks forward to hosting a live event to honour both Perry and Shawna. Stay tuned to www.gohorns.ca for an announcement regarding a celebration event next athletic season.