Three years ago when UNBC entered the university varsity ranks, the school hired Alan Alderson as head coach of the men's soccer side.
Alderson took over from Sonny Pawar, who had guided the team as head coach in the B.C. Colleges Athletic Association in the six previous years.
With 20 years of coaching experience under his belt, Alderson was new to Prince George and northern B.C. Among his previous posts, he had experience in building a successful program as head coach at Trinity Western University in Langley, taking it out of the BCCAA and into the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Canada West Conference.
As the Timberwolves took the giant step into Canada West, one of the first people Alderson reached out to was Pawar.
"Sonny is pretty significant to me," said Alderson. "I wanted to grab the best soccer coach available in the city. (With Sonny), I knew we had a good connection. We think in a similar fashion on a lot of things. We wanted to continue building a team and the right culture. I wanted to carry on the traditions and values that Sonny had started, into Canada West. We're like-minded."
When the Timberwolves kick off their pre-season camp in August, Pawar, the team's assistant coach who was born and raised in Prince George, won't be on the sidelines for the first time in nine years.
Pawar's wife received a promotion within the provincial government and his family of three that includes a 10-year-old son will move to Victoria in July.
"It's an amazing opportunity for my wife and family," said Pawar, a teacher at School District 57 who is taking a leave of absence. "She's supported myself and soccer. Now it's our turn to support her and be there for her. We'll start a new chapter."
In 2014, the T-wolves posted their most successful season in Canada West, with a 3-9 record in the Pacific Division. Along the way, they had their first six-point weekend (a two-game sweep) against Alderson's former Trinity Western Spartans.
Pawar said far more than the education he received from Alderson is the friendship and camaraderie that developed between the two of them, and he considers himself extremely fortunate to have worked with Alderson and the athletes.
"We worked really well together - he included me in all of the decisions and processes and we would end up playing off of each other," said Pawar. "Al's connection with the athletes, his knowledge and experience of the game, I was his apprentice for the last two to three years. I was able to give myself a terrific learning experience."
It's a feeling and bond that's mutual with Alderson. Pawar challenged him to grow as a person.
"It's been the most fulfilling coaching experience in my life," said Alderson. "We have the same philosophy on character and values and the passion.
It's a partnership that was valuable for us, and even our families."
And while Pawar is sad to have to say goodbye, he knows the T-wolves will be fine.
"The program is in terrific hands, it's a legacy we're extremely proud of," he said.
"Sonny is irreplaceable, but that's part of what sports is (is people moving on)," added Alderson. "Our guys will miss him."
Alderson plans to bring a new coach on board prior to start of the regular season.
