Wall of Honour

Timberwolves induct founding member into Wall of Honour

Mar 19, 2021 | 3:12 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Over the course of nearly 15 years, Zane Robison wrapped up his time at the University of Northern British Columbia with a list of qualifications and titles to his name.

Everything from founder to player, assistant coach to head coach, and recruiter to athletic director; Robison’s name has been associated with the birth of the school’s athletic department. As a result, without Zane Robison, there could be no inaugural class of inductees into the Timberwolves Wall of Honour.

Back in 1996, he was part of creating the Timberwolves basketball program that competed in a local men’s league. Over the next number of years, Robison championed the idea of the TWolves joining the ranks of the BCCAA collegiate ranks.

In 1999, the TWolves took that step into the collegiate ranks, tipping off for the very first time on November 19th against the College of the Cariboo. Robison was in the lineup that night, at a game played in the College of New Caledonia gym, in front of a sold-out crowd. The team would have to wait until January 14th, 2000 to earn its first win, an 83-71 victory over Malaspina University.

The following season, Robison retired from his on-court career and accepted a position as Carrick’s assistant coach. Robison was officially named head coach of the Timberwolves in June of 2001.

Following the 2007-2008 season, Robison accepted a position with UNBC’s Student Recruitment and Advising Office, and he stepped down from his role as Head Coach of the program that he had built.

The UNBC Men’s Basketball team, under Robison’s successor Mike Raimbault, would win the CCAA National Championship in 2010; many players on the roster were recruited to UNBC by Robison. Courtside for that victory in Calgary? The man who was once a student, recruiting other UNBC pupils to join a program competing in the local rec league.

In 2010, UNBC made a presentation to the Canada West Conference of the then-CIS; the highest tier of university sport in the country. Robison was part of that presentation, along with UNBC President, George Iwama and Prince George Mayor, Dan Rogers. Two years later, his prediction came to fruition, as the Timberwolves played their first games at the CW level.

Over his coaching career, Robison had seven players named to league all-star teams and won 58 games as a head coach of the program. However, his legacy runs far deeper than wins and losses.

Every year, UNBC Men’s Basketball honours a player with the Zane Robison Award. Fittingly, it is given to the player deemed “Most Dedicated” to Timberwolves Athletics.