After the dust settles on an athlete’s playing career, the ways to evaluate his or her career are limited.
We are left with stats and accolades, anecdotes from those who saw the competitor firsthand, and if they are lucky, championships. Most of all, and perhaps most significantly, the legacy left in an athlete’s wake is the finest barometer for the impact of a career.
In the case of UNBC men’s basketball alumnus Dennis Stark, there are plenty of numbers and awards, and colourful stories of athletic feats. But, on top of what happened on the court, the lasting impact of “Mr. Timberwolf,” makes Stark an obvious inductee into the Timberwolves Wall of Honour.
Fresh off leading Kelly Road Secondary School to its finest-ever finish at the B.C. provincial championships in 2007, Stark was primed to make the leap to the collegiate level. He possessed a tantalizing combination of athleticism and willingness to work, so UNBC coach Zane Robison knew he wanted to add the power forward to the Timberwolves program.
“Dennis had the character and demeanour that was truly a positive reflection of his family and the community that raised him,” said Robison. “From day one, there was no doubt that Prince George was proud to call him one of their own.”
It didn’t take long for the six-foot-five forward to beginning contributing to the T-wolves. In 2007-2008, his freshman campaign, Stark averaged 8.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. His work on the glass was good for 12th in all of the BCCAA. However, what stood out about the rookie was his emerging leadership and willingness to do whatever it took for his teammates. At the conclusion of the season, he also earned Academic All-Canadian status for his work in the classroom.
In 2008-2009, the Timberwolves added a slew of talented ball-handlers to the roster, and Stark identified that he could provide a valuable connective element at the offensive and defensive end of the court. He replicated his production from a season ago with 8.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and one assist per game, but played a crucial role as a galvanizing leader for the program. The T-wolves went 12-6 on the season, and earned the BCCAA bronze medal, while Stark was named the team’s lone all-star at the Provincial tournament. Additionally, he was named UNBC Best Defensive Player at the conclusion of the year.
“Dennis was the vocal leader of our team and the anchor of what we were trying to do defensively. He was our rock,” said Stark’s long-time UNBC teammate Matt Mills. “He was incredibly consistent in his effort and communication on the floor, and he set the standard for the rest of us to uphold.”
The Timberwolves entered the 2009-2010 campaign as the frontrunners to win the CCAA national championship. With that distinction, however, came great pressure and expectations for the program under coach Mike Raimbault. The T-wolves were loaded from top to bottom, and Stark was first in line to sacrifice for the good of the program.
To say it was effective would be an understatement. The Timberwolves went 17-1 in regular season play, before going 2-0 in the BCCAA tournament to clinch the provincial title. They capped it off with a 3-0 run at the CCAA National Championship tournament, earning the only Canadian banner in school history. Stark was there, starting every game along the way, playing the brand of basketball that brought out the best in his teammates and the team. He averaged 9.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and one assist, and established himself as one of the most popular T-wolves ever.
“First and foremost, Dennis is a tremendous human being. His character, personality, and team-first attitude were crucial and integral parts of the success of our group,” said Raimbault. “He was a tremendous athlete who was fully invested in playing his role to the best of his ability - all in the pursuit of team success. He was fully invested in doing what it took to help the team win. A truly special person to be around.”
In 2010-2011, expectations were again sky-high for the Timberwolves, and Stark found a way to improve his game all over the court. The fourth-year forward’s athleticism was on full display, regularly making plays above the rim, while he was still the T-wolf leaned upon to make the effort plays that could swing the result of games. UNBC went 16-2, and advanced all the way to the BCCAA provincial final.
“He made such an impact on the court with his scoring, rebounding, and defense,” said Todd Jordan, who was in his first year as Timberwolves coach in 2010-2011. “He was extremely gifted. I remember him taking the roof off the Northern Sport Centre with explosive dunks on many occasions. He was a culture-setter, bringing the team to a level where we were a threat for the national championship every season.”
Stark averaged 11.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, and was named a BCCAA provincial Second Team All-Star at the conclusion of the season.
“He was selfless in his approach to the game, and how he played every practice and every game. I never once recall Dennis showing concern for his own stats,” said Mills. “He wanted to win. He was as mentally tough as it gets, and yet he was completely humble on and off the court.”
When analyzing Stark’s career and contributions, the consistency of his statistics is startling. A contributor in every game he played in green and gold, he never had a season with numbers that would make headlines or garner massive attention. However, that was more out of choice than a lack of ability, according to UNBC assistant coach Dale Dergousoff, who worked with Stark for five years.
“Dennis grew immensely over his five seasons. He was a wonderful athlete who improved every year as a Timberwolf,” said Dergousoff. “His gift was that whatever role he had to take on to help the team, he was happy to do it. He was all about the team. Never himself. He was a pleasure to coach.”
Beyond the accolades, Stark made a permanent impression on the Timberwolves record book, posting career numbers at the BCCAA level that help tell the story of his impact on the program.
At the conclusion of his career, his 779 points were good for third in program history, and were the most by and Prince George product in UNBC history. His 461 career rebounds were the most in UNBC history, and he also managed to finish top ten in career assists. After his freshman season ended with a 5-11 record, Stark’s final four regular seasons combined record was 58-12.
After his playing career, Stark served as an assistant coach for the program, and now serves as UNBC’s director of student recruitment. He lives in Prince George with his wife, Rhea. Fittingly, when a prospective student-athlete wants to learn what makes UNBC so great, it is Stark, one of the greatest all-time leaders and teammates in Timberwolves history, who is there to tell them what their experience will be like.
Perhaps the final word belongs to Stark’s younger brother Daniel, who also played five years for UNBC, including two with Dennis.
“Dennis made basketball look easy, the way he ran the floor, was in the right position, played above the rim, and got rebounds and buckets alike,” said Daniel. “But Dennis became an ambassador for the program. He was the first to embrace the rookies, he handled media and outreach programs like a professional. Even his opponents liked him. He made a positive imprint on everyone he came in contact with. He loved Prince George, and he loved the program. Dennis is the embodiment of Timberwolves culture.”
