At UNBC's recent athletic banquet the First Nations Drum Team, in partnership with the First Nations Centre, presented seven graduating athletes with mini drums as a memento of their time as a team player.
The First Nations Drum Team started attending the Timberwolves home games four years ago and haven't missed one since.
"It helped our fan base immensely and it gave UNBC something special, something different that created an amazing atmosphere which has actually resulted in a reputation that if you come to UNBC it's a hard place to play as a visiting team," Jesse Olynyk, sports information officer.
This season the drum team not only attended basketball games but also all soccer home games, as well.
Robert Russ, the organizer and leading drummer for the team, led the effort to produce the group of eight-inch mini drums for the fifth year athletes, Olynk explained.
"The drums are all hand-made and will include a hand-painted First Nations Centre logo along with UNBC and the number of the graduating player's jersey," Russ said in a news release. "It's our way of recognizing and acknowledging their (the graduating players) commitment and contributing to UNBC and athletics."
The athletes who received the drums are Rebecca Irving, women's soccer; Danny Dell, men's soccer; Joel Rybachuk, men's basketball; Jose Araujo, men's basketball; Sam Raphael, men's basketball; Francis Rowe, men's basketball; Kady Dandeneau, women's basketball.
"The players had no idea and were so excited about receiving their mini drums," said Olynyk. "It's something they can keep now and it will always remind them uniquely of their time at UNBC."
