Women’s Wrestling
TOP 10 TUESDAY: UNB, Alberta back on top in men’s and women’s hockey
Throughout the 2017-18 season, U SPORTS sits down with one key athlete, coach, and staff member of each U SPORTS athletic program in our new interview series “Getting to know…”
Name: Trevor Manchester
School: Algoma University
Sport: Men’s and women’s wrestling
Position: Head coach
Seniority: Five years
Hometown: Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
- How did you first get involved in coaching? What was your path to your position as head coach at Algoma University?
I first became involved in coaching as the Junior Thunderwolves club coach in Thunder Bay when I was a varsity wrestler for Lakehead.
- Who are the people that have influenced you most as a coach?
The most influential person in my coaching career would have to be Lakehead coach Francis Clayton. Francis was my varsity coach for five years from 2000 to 2005.
- How would you describe your coaching style?
I think my coaching style is very adaptable. Being at a small university with a very diverse student group, my style has grown to become much more flexible.
- Which coach do you admire the most, and why?
I don’t admire any individual coach more than others. I think that many coaches have traits and a level of success that I admire. Coaches that help their athletes excel as an individual are worthy of some amount of admiration. As a coach at a post-secondary institution, a lot of emphasis is also put on academic success. Any coach that can help a varsity athlete compete at this level, while still attaining academic success has done something that is admirable.
- What is the most “out-of-the-box” thing you’ve done as a coach?
There are not any drastic “out-of-the-box” moments.
- What is your greatest coaching moment or achievement?
My greatest coaching moment occurs every year when I see current varsity wrestlers graduate with a university degree.
- What’s the best advice you can give to an athlete and/or athlete’s parents?
The best advice I can give would be to choose a program and institution that fits your individual needs and wants. Obviously, a coaching style that fits the athlete is a benefit as well.
- How have you changed as a coach over time. What principles/values etc. have remained the same?
As a coach, I have become more understanding of the students’ needs, especially time management. Having practice times that fit a student’s schedule can become inconvenient, but I have learned to be more flexible. Attaining an education while competing at the highest level possible to that individual has consistently been our focus.
- What do you enjoy doing when you’re not in coaching mode?
When not coaching, I enjoy spending time with my family.