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playing to a higher standard

Former Med Hat Rattler signs on to coach Olds Broncos mens basketball team

Jul 5, 2023 | 11:50 AM

The Olds Broncos have an eager new coach for their men’s basketball squad.

Collin Ralko, a four-year captain of the Medicine Hat College Rattlers, takes over, with accountability and leadership serving as tenets of his coaching platform, the school says.

“When standards can be created amongst the team, with the team, they feel togetherness and the desire to uphold them by holding each other to these standards they have agreed upon,” says Ralko. “Rules create followers, standards empower leaders. Every day, we will find ways to empower and build leaders and ensure we hold each other accountable to levels of excellence on the court, in the classroom, and in the community.”

During his college playing career, Ralko received five CCAA National Scholar awards, along with an ACAC bronze medal and two ACAC silvers. That’s not to mention one nationals appearance in 2015.

As a coach, Ralko is pursuing NCCP Level 3 certification, and has coached in both club (Boys Pivot Basketball Club) and high school capacities, having led W.H. Croxford High to a silver medal in boys 3A Zones competition in 2019. Most recently, Ralko was an assistant coach for St. Mary’s University, who competed in last season’s national championship in Calgary.

“Brothers fight, brothers look out for each other in good times and bad. Brothers set each other up for success,” Ralko says. “The idea of brotherhood is the key factor in succeeding. It will create buy-in to trust the process and enjoy it. We can’t focus on the outcome or be outcome driven or that defines our season success. If focus is put towards being successful one day at a time, then in turn the outcome will take care of itself.”

The Broncos will open the 2023-24 season on Oct. 20 in Saskatchewan against the Briercrest College Clippers.

They are coming off a 2022-23 season in which they finished second last in the South Division, with a record of three wins and 18 losses, while giving up the second-most points in the entire ACAC.

The Olds College men’s basketball program has never won an ACAC championship; though the women have won twice, in 2013 and 2019.