Father of Olympian Ben Saxton played for the U of S Huskies in the 70s

The son of a former University of Saskatchewan Husky volleyball player is competing in Rio. Don Saxton, Canadian Olympic beach volleyball player Ben Saxton's dad, played for the Huskies in the late 70s.

He also competed in the Olympics.

Don's wife, Mylene, was also an elite volleyball player. The couple is currently in Rio cheering on their son.

Mylene said it is always nerve wracking for her to watch Ben, who is from Calgary, play.

"When he succeeds I am just elated and I go a little bit crazy and when he loses, well I really feel sad for him," Mylene said. "There is nothing I can control." 

Ben and his partner Chaim Schalk won against Brazil on Tuesday, 2-1, in preliminary beach volleyball action. The Canadian team plays Cuba in their final match of pool play on Thursday at 8 a.m. CST.

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Don said he is proud of the way his son and teammate have performed so far.

"They handled themselves very well," he said. "They have as good a chance as anybody."

Don grew up in Plenty, Sask., about 170 kilometres southwest of Saskatoon. He met Mylene when they were both playing for national volleyball teams in Saskatchewan. 

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