Niagara Knights 2009/2010

Men's Basketball 2008/2009
First Row - Left to Right: Antonio Ferrusi (Strength Coach) Calvin White, C.J. Smith, Jeremy Settimi, Lamar Grant, B.J. Michiels, Yannick N'Kindu, Josh Clarke, Mike Beccaria (Head Coach).

Back Row - Left to Right: Steve Atkin (Asst. Coach), Mike Hurley (Asst. Coach), Larry Smith, Alex Shah, Jake Stika, Chris Karkoulas, Ken Watson, Rashad Morley, Matt Thomas, Floyd Walker (Manager), Chris Wiggins.


# Name Height Position Hometown/High School
3 Yannick N'Kindu 6' 2" Guard Hamilton, ON
5 B.J. Michiels 5' 10" Guard Hamilton, ON
12 Chris Wiggins 5' 11" Guard Belleville, ON
15 Lamar Grant 6' 1" Guard Toronto, ON
21 Ken Watson 6' 6" Forward Mississauga, ON
22 Chris Bauslaugh 6' 2" Guard Kitchener, ON
23 Jeremy Settimi 6' 5" Guard Hamilton, ON
24 C.J. Smith 6' 0" Guard Toronto, ON
32 Jake Stika 6' 7" Forward Calgary, AB
33 Rashad Morley 6' 6" Forward Bahamas
35 Arny N'Kindu 6' 0" Guard Hamilton, ON
44 Matt Thomas 6' 0" Guard Mississauga, ON
55 Alex Shah 6' 6" Forward St.Catharines, ON

HEAD COACH: Mike Beccaria
ASSISTANT COACHES: Steve Atkin, Mike Hurley
STRENGTH COACH: Antonio Ferrusi
MANAGER: Floyd Walker


Steve Atkin Named New Head Coach

The Niagara College Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is pleased to announce that Steve Atkin has been named the new head coach of the Niagara Knights Men's Baskeball team. Atkin, who served as an Assistant Coach for the past two years at Niagara, takes over from Mike Beccaria who served as the head coach for the past three and a half seasons. Beccaria has accepted the position of Assistant Coach with the Knights for the 2010-2011 season.

Atkin comes to Niagara College after experiencing great success at all levels along the way. At 6’ 10”, he had much success as a high school player where he had three consecutive runs at an OFSAA championship. He was recognized by the Canadian National Team while competing in high school and was a member of the National Team from 1978 to 1982. During that period the team was ranked fourth in the world. A former player at Simon Fraser University, University of Calgary, and the University of Waterloo, Atkin made three appearances at the CIS Championships. He competed in one World Championship, two World Student Games, two Pan-American Games, and once at the Commonwealth Games.

Atkin began his coaching career by building the Lakeshore Catholic High School Boys and Girls Basketball programs from inception. During his tenure, he took both programs to consecutive OFSAA appearances.

After spending thirteen years coaching high school, Atkin became the assistant coach at Brock University for the next eleven years. In 2002-2003, he guided Brock to a 17-16 record as interim head coach. His 17 victories set a new Brock record for most wins in a single season by a first year head coach. The Badgers finished ties for third place in the OUA Western region that season and defeated three of the top ten CIS ranked teams along the way.

He was in the first assistants chair at Brock in 2007/08 when the Badgers captured the CIS Gold medal. In his eleven years at Brock, Atkin assisted in leading the Badgers to three CIS Championship appearances. In 2008, he was welcomed as the first assistant to the Niagara Knights Men’s Basketball program and helped coach the Knights to their second OCAA Championship Bronze Medal. That season the team was ranked as high as number three in the nation, and number one in the OCAA for the first time in school history.

“We are extremely pleased to have coach Atkin take over our men’s basketball program,” said Ray Sarkis, Coordinator of Athletics and Recreation. “I have seen first hand the amount of respect he garners from our student athletes because of his experience not only as a coach but as a former national team player. We hope that with Coach Atkin at the helm along with his assistants Mike Beccaria (former head coach) and Mike Hurley, our program will reach greater heights.”

You can contact Steve Atkin by e-mail at: atkin_steve@hotmail.com

2009-2010 Highlights


Niagara College Male Rookie Athlete of the Year: Alex Shah
Team MVP: Lamar Grant
Top Academic Award: Matt Thomas
Leadership Award Winner: Lamar Grant
Top Rookie Award: Alex Shah
OCAA All-Star Game Participant: Lamar Grant

OCAA Record 9-9 (6th Place West Region)
Home Record 5-4
Road Record 4-5
OCAA Playoff Record 0-1
Home Playoff Record 0-0
Road Playoff Record 0-1