ANDREW CROSSETT PHOTO

To call Ken Babey a SAIT hero and inspiration is merely scratching the surface when describing the father of the Trojans after 25 years as athletic director and coach.

At the suggestion he might be feeling old after a quarter century with SAIT Babey laughed, “It’s been a long road but I’m only getting started.”

After winning an ACAC title in 1982, the program would wait another 15 years until its next title in 1997. Babey took over the head coaching role in 1987, and with the passion for sports at SAIT dwindling he started to rebuild the program from the ground up.

“The only way to go was up, so we did just that,” said Babey who, after serving as an assistant coach the previous year, knew the Trojans required changes in many ways.

Budd Brazier, SAIT’s current recreation manager, played against Babey’s Trojans during Brazier’s time at Mount Royal.

“He had a lot of work to do, but his innate ability to recruit top players made SAIT the team to beat,” said Brazier who chuckled as he described the ongoing rivalry jokes between himself and Babey.

“We joke about the old days all the time,” said Brazier.

Although the seven time ACAC coach of the year’s achievements with SAIT are astounding, what is most remarkable is his humbleness, and his honest love for hockey and the hundreds of athletes he has worked with.

“Seeing players grow, being a part of their success is what I look forward to everyday,” said Babey.

“I have enough of these, that’s not what it’s about for me,” said Babey as he displayed his championship ring. “My satisfaction is watching a player hold up a trophy for the first time, the look on his face is the reward.”

For Babey, there have been more highlights than negatives over the past 25 years, the positive environment and constant growth is what continues to inspire him.

“Good people come through here,” said Babey, whose passion for competition drives him.

Babey said SAIT, “has been good to me and my family, I am so thankful.”

His son, T.J Babey, SAIT’s current recreation program coordinator, played six seasons on the Trojans hockey team.

“It was a phenomenal experience; he pushed and motivated both me and my teammates and is genuinely invested in every player,” said T.J. Babey.

Another one of Ken Babey’s sons, Joe, is currently playing on the Trojans.

“I was tougher on them, but I am tough on all the players that aren’t working up to the potential I know they have in them,” said Babey when asked if having his sons play for the Trojan’s influenced his coaching technique.

“I think [T.J] found it hard at first, but he developed in the program and that is what any coach, parent and player wants,” said Babey. “As for my son Joe, it’s still early in the season.”

“Being a coach can be a real test of character, I have learned as much as I have given,” said Babey to sum up his career.

For his 25th year, Babey is confident the Trojans will win the championships, as the importance of the reward for his players and seeing the sense of accomplishment in their eyes is crucial to Babey.

He also anticipated an improvement in the connection between university and college level associations, which would result in more opportunity for athletes and increase the fan source.

“Fans don’t see the same value in our level of hockey, it’s a Canadian issue because we are spoiled with good professional hockey and it’d be nice to see blended sport/regionals like the states,” said Babey.

Members of the SAIT Athletics department view Babey as an inspiration.

“He works hard and expects that same professional ethic on and off the ice, that he has been at SAIT for so long speaks to his commitment and character,” said athletics manager Mark Pretzlaff.

The SAIT Trojans have been the ACAC’s most dominant team since the year 2000. Ken Babey’s reputation allows him to recruit the best players possible, and as long as he remains here at SAIT the Trojans will remain dominant.

IT’s a numbers game

In his career, Ken Babey:
• was the first and only ACAC coach to reach 400 wins.
• attained the record for most regular season and playoff coaching wins in Canadian post-secondary hockey history.
• led the Trojans men’s hockey team to their fourth consecutive ACAC championship title.
• holds the ACAC record for most wins as a coach.
• was the head coach of Denmark Men’s National Jr. Team at the 2008 World Jr. Championships & an assistant coach with Denmark Men’s National Team of the 2008 World Championships.
• guided Denmark to gold at the IIHF B Pool World Championships in 2007.

-compiled by Lisa Johnson

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