RMC to Retire Basketball Jersey #22
By WJO
Four time Tommy Smart winner – 22909 Kevin Dulude (RMC ’04) widely considered one of the greatest OUA / CIS basketball players ever will be honoured by RMC at a ceremony on Friday, 9 November as part of the opening of the 2007/08 OUA basketball season.
The ceremony itself will take place at approx 1950hrs – the pre-game warmup for the game will be interrupted for 5-10 minutes in order to honour the former RMC – All Canadian, then the teams will conclude their warmup and the game will start as per normal. An informal social event will take place following the game for family & friends of RMC basketball. It will take place in one of the rooms at the KMCSC.
Arguably the best varsity athlete at RMC in its 131 year history, Dulude holds the two most significant Ontario University Athletics basketball records – all time scoring and all time rebounding. His 2092 “career” points scored are 355 more then second place, Kevin Stienstra (Brock 2001-06), and at the other end of the floor – his 1165 career rebounds sits him 157 ahead of ironically the same Kevin Stienstra who finished up at 1008.
Individual records aside Dulude brought a level of competitiveness to the RMC varsity sports scene seldom seen since the college was realigned in the early 1970s with what was formerly known as the OUAA and is now the OUA. In his graduation year, the Men’s basketball team ended the regular season with 14 wins and only eight losses. That accomplishment earned the basketball Paladins a berth in the play-offs, losing a sudden death game to York 56-43.
To put the Kevin Dulude presence in more perspective – the men’s basketball team are a combined one win and 43 regular season losses since he left RMC.
Kevin Dulude was a versatile power forward. He often reminded us of a power running back similar in style to an Emmet Smith formerly of the Dallas Cowboys. Which likely goes back to his number one sport during high school – tackle football.
The versatile, sharp-shooting Dulude made his name stepping up his play in critical situations as his career stats will testify at both ends of the court. He was at his best performance in the closer games.
Kevin appeared to possess an uncanny and unparalleled ability to anticipate and react to the strategies and moves of his opponents. Allowing him to intercept passes and create turnovers. All this is due in no small measure to the extra time he spent practicing and working out, consistently on his own during the off season. Rolande and I often observed him on the way to the “gym” during the dog days of summer. Much later, the same day – we would be walking past the basketball floor and sure enough there he was by himself practicing.
Statistics aside, Dulude was perhaps best known as a fierce competitor and outstanding team leader.
The fact that RMC has seen fit to honour him is indeed significant. Former teammates, former varsity athletes, friends of RMC basketball and the entire Ex cadet community are invited to attend the ceremony which will take place just 10 minutes or so before tip off time – of the 2007-08 OUA basketball opener against the University of Guelph, 9 November. 8PM is the scheduled start time for the game.
For those unable to attend but would like to send “well wishes” to Kevin Dulude may do so by contacting GuyDube@rmc.ca