Jordan Biggar (pictured) was set to play his first season with the Medicine Hat College Rattlers men's basketball team (Photo courtesy of Colton McKee)

By Scott Roblin

ACAC Cancellation

Rattlers disappointed, but understanding to see winter season axed

Nov 4, 2020 | 5:58 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Jordan Biggar’s wait to play his first game in a Medicine Hat College Rattlers uniform will have to last a little while longer.

The Australian basketball player is one of dozens of student-athletes with the Rattlers program who will not be taking to the court at the ‘Snake Pit’ following the cancellation of the ACAC winter season.

All winter sports including volleyball, basketball, hockey, curling, indoor track and futsal were officially cancelled by the provincial body on Wednesday.

“Pretty sure the community really enjoys everyone playing and coming to watch,” said Biggar. “So, it’s a big disappointment for everyone, but totally understandable at the same time.”

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Medicine Hat College and the 16 other ACAC post-secondary institutions collectively agreed to forgo competing in league play on Tuesday afternoon citing the recent rise in COVID-19 cases across Alberta.

“The rates of cases going across the province, many communities are in watch, public gatherings are restricted in Edmonton and Calgary,” said Medicine Hat College president and CEO Kevin Shufflebotham. “I just felt, to me, that it was time to make the call.”

Conversations around a potential winter season for Rattlers basketball, volleyball, and futsal have been ongoing for months for the sport and wellness program.

A task force had been set up for the league’s athletic directors and work was being done on potential scheduling, however Medicine Hat College’s Terry Ballard understands why the chute was ultimately pulled.

“The task force was still working to put something together,” said Ballard. “But, it was always in the back of everybody’s mind that at some point a final decision would have to be made.”

This follows the ACAC’s decision earlier this year to cancel fall sports like golf, soccer and cross-country running, however there is still a possibility those can be played in the spring.

“You don’t want to rule out anything for the spring and if there’s a chance that we can get some of our activities in, we will,” said Ballard.

Fortunately, all student-athletes will not lose a year of their current ACAC eligibility including those who were going to be seniors this winter.

The option to return will be available for all Rattlers student-athletes, however Ballard understands that might not be the preferred route for everyone.

“There’s probably going to be some student-athletes around the province that are just not going to play their sport anymore,” he said. “I hope that’s not the case, but I just have a feeling that’s going to happen to some across the province. And, that’s a sad way to go out.”

All isn’t lost for ACAC athletes though, as teams will still be able to practice and scrimmage throughout the winter months to keep up player development and conditioning.

Though he admits the practices can sometimes get monotonous, Biggar said he’s taking the news in stride and is just happy to be surrounded by his team on a daily basis.

“I find motivation in just playing basketball, it’s like an escape really,” he said. “I get to come here for an hour and a half and I just get to do what I love with the guys on the team that I love. Obviously, there’s going to be some tough days. But, you just have to remind yourself that the season is coming eventually. It’s going to come around the corner.”