KOOK NAMED CHAIRPERSON OF UNIVERSITY CUP COMMITTEE

(From Huskies.usask.ca)

Huskie Athletics is pleased to announce Grant Kook as the chairperson for the CIS University Cup Men’s Hockey Championship hosted by the University of Saskatchewan in 2013 & 2014.

Voted as one of Saskatchewan’s Men of Influence by the Saskatchewan Business Magazine in 2008, Kook is the founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of well-known Golden Opportunities Fund. He is also the President and CEO of the fund manager, Westcap Mgt. Ltd., which manages in excess of $250 million directed at Saskatchewan growth opportunities. Kook has also been the President and CEO of the Ramada Hotels since 1992 and the Chairman of the Board for SaskTel since 2008.

“Grant was an excellent choice for chairperson for this event,” said Basil Hughton, athletic director. “With his experience and connections to our community, Grant will be able to make sure the University Cup is a success once again in Saskatoon. We are extremely happy to be able to work with him.”

The Championships will run March 21-24, 2013 and March 20-23, 2014. All games will be played at the Credit Union Centre. Huskie Athletics hosted the University Cup from 1998 to 2000 with the event a huge success in Saskatoon attracting the three highest single-tournament attendances in University Cup history with 37,121 spectators over seven games in 1998, 37,184 fans in 1999 and a single-year record of 40,956 in 2000.

Not only has Kook made his mark in the province for his career achievements, but as a volunteer. His community involvement includes Voluntary Chair of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan, Vice President of Sponsorship for the 2010 World Junior Championship, Executive Committee Member of the Mike Weir Miracle Golf Drive for Kids, Sponsorship Chair for the 2006 Vanier Cup, Business & Sponsorship Chair for the Canadian 2004 Brier, Director of the 2012 Tim Hortons Brier and a Board Member of the new Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame.

“With the Huskie hockey team having competed in nine out of the last 12 national tournaments and a city still excited about the sport thanks to a successful 2010 World Junior Championship, I could not think of a better time to bring the University Cup back to Saskatoon,” said Kook. “The hockey played at the University level is some of the best you will see, I am confident that we will draw record crowds once again at this event. I am very pleased and humbled to have been asked to be a part of the event and to have a hand in carrying on the storied Huskie hockey tradition.”

Kook, who is the brother of Huskie women’s hockey head coach Steve Kook, will spend the upcoming weeks putting his organizing committee in place.