SURREY - One of the key parts of any collegiate sports team is a veteran leader who helps rookies adjust to playing at a higher level.
But what is the value of a player who goes above and beyond the call of duty? Gurpal Mann is the veteran leader for the Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Eagles men's basketball team. The thirdyear criminology student took on the role of leader after becoming one of the team's captains and he has done everything to help new faces on the roster transition to university life.Mann, a Queen Elizabeth Secondary alumnus, won the Pat Dooley Memorial Award last month at KPU's athletic banquet. The award is given to an athlete who demonstrates leadership on and off their playing surface.Vladimir Nikic, head coach of the Eagles' men's basketball team, has known Mann for several years and believes that he fully deserves this award."I wish that I could have Gurpal (Mann) on my team in the future extensively because he is irreplaceable."He's good on the court and what he does off the court is just priceless. He's definitely the best candidate for that kind of award," Nikic said.Nikic said Mann is like an older brother to a lot of his younger teammates and does everything he can to make them feel comfortable."He's making them welcome to our team and making them feel comfortable because it's a huge step to go from high school to playing with adults. He's the bridge that builds that gap," Nikic said.At six-feet-four-inches, Mann is a post player in Kwantlen's system. Nikic said Mann is very willing to help out the younger centres and forwards."He stays after practice and works with them. He's very accessible," Nikic said.As well as helping his teammates on the court, Mann is also helping the younger players in the classroom."He introduced some of the guys to our academic advisor, Herbie Atwal. He brought some guys to his office to pick the right courses."He's a great role model because he has a fine balance between academics and athletics," Nikic said. "A lot of these kids don't have direction and in a way, he provides that to them. They see that everything is possible when you set your mind to it."Mann isn't sure if he will play for the Eagles next season because he's applied for a job that would allow him to start his dream career."He has goals in his life. He's planning to be a RCMP officer and I think that's a wonderful way to exhibit citizenship skills," said Nikic."I've always wanted to help some way in the community. The best way is becoming a police officer," Mann said.Mann has become very active in helping Kwantlen's athletic department.He has helped run Kwantlen's annual golf tournament since he's been a student at the university. This year, the golf tournament raised more than $54,000 for scholarships for Kwantlen's studentathletes.Along with helping with the golf tournament, Mann has also helped organize the Pat Dooley basketball tournament, for high school teams, on KPU's home court.