Celebrating 20 years of Dr. Steve King Behind the Bench

February 11, 2021

Academics

GNS

Through tournaments, road trips and practices, alumnus Dr. Steve King has been a mainstay for 20 years as a volunteer coach for the Senior Boys Basketball team. During the highs and the lows, King has generously given up his time to share his knowledge and love for the game.

“It’s been an amazing experience,” said King. “When I came back to Victoria I talked to Harvey, and I asked if I could help out. He graciously allowed me to do so, and we have been together ever since. It’s been a great honour, and I always say I get more out of it than what the guys do—I learn things from them every year. It’s a real privilege to be part of it.”

King was honoured at the Senior Showdown Basketball game on February 4 for his work with the team. Having spent two decades as a volunteer coach, he said the time has just flown by.

“It’s just a natural thing,” he said. “As soon as the season is over and the last ball is dropped, and the whistle goes we are already planning the next year, and it just rolls. I hope we keep going for a lot longer.”

King has many memories of leading the Gryphons throughout the years, but certain moments stand out to him.

“Every group has such a unique flavour. One-year changes to the next and they are all special,” he said. “Our provincial win in 2007 was a special year because that’s what we are gunning for every season and to be able to bring home the banner to the school that year was a special one.”

While the 2007 provincials were a major highlight, King noted another one was seeing the perseverance of the 2019 team.

“In 2019, we had another special group and we made it to the provincial semi-finals and lost in double overtime,” he explained. “As difficult as that moment was, it showed you that even in the loss you can have a group that comes together. For me that was an important moment, seeing the camaraderie, even in defeat, was really special.”

The blue, green and white runs deep through the King family, as his daughter is attending the school now.

“GNS has been a big part of my life, and it continues to be so,” said King. “It’s full circle now. My daughter is in Grade 2 and gets to experience everything that I did.”

King has teamed up with Mr. Harvey Thorau, Senior School Vice-Principal, for 20 years as a coach. That has meant between 35 to 39 games a season, three times as many practices plus travel in between.

“It’s a huge time commitment, and I’m just humbled by his generosity, spirit and commitment. And for being a former player, it’s so gratifying to see he loves the game,” said Mr. Thorau, adding that the King family has been a part of the whole experience.

“A shout out to his parents… they were such great supporters of the game. They would come and see our home games, and his mom would even come to provincials as a road trip. There is always a spot in the bleachers for Lila.”

Here is to another 20 years of King behind the Gryphon bench!