Kenora high school basketball team sanctioned for 'recruitment'

A former professional basketball player in Kenora, Ontario says his old size 15 shoes are not a recruiting tool, but the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations doesn't see it that way.

The association suspended Mike Luby as the assistant coach of the St. Thomas Aquinas junior boys basketball team, and the entire team was barred from the playoffs.

The regional high school sports association won't reveal the specifics of the recruiting infraction but Luby said it stems from the day he noticed a student with old court shoes at a neighbouring school, Beaver Brae Secondary.

"I was really just trying to help out a kid, like he had old shoes," said Luby, adding it's difficult to find size 15 shoes in a small town like Kenora and he has "a collection of like 100" from his time spent playing in the Canadian Basketball League and for other sponsored teams.

 "I was like 'oh, here, I have a couple extra pairs,'" Luby said of the interaction. "Like that's just how I was raised, with my dad being a former chief, I'll give a gift without expecting anything in return."

School board plans appeal

The president of the Northwestern Ontario Secondary Schools Athletic Association said recruitment is a serious offence.

"If you recruit some of the best athletes you're going to end up with powerhouses at one of the schools," said Mike Lalonde.

Luby said the St, Thomas Aquinas student did end up transferring from Beaver Brae, a school in the public school system.

The Kenora Catholic District School Board plans to launch an appeal against the sanctions.

"Our board's investigations indicate there was no wrongdoing on the part of the coach or the part of the school," said board chair Frank Bastone.

Bastone said the appeal is critical because there is potential the sanctions could result in the suspension of all school sports at St. Thomas Aquinas next year.

But with no formal appeal process in the athletic association's rules, Bastone couldn't say when he expects the matter to be resolved.

Meanwhile, Luby said he is frustrated that he has had to stop sharing is basketball acumen with high school students.

"My goal was to come back and I want to help kids. It doesn't matter what school they go to, where they play, I just wanted to try to develop a basketball culture here," he said.