By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
On Sept. 11, Coach Eddie Pomykala and his legendary 1997-1998 Bishop’s Gaiters men’s basketball team were inducted into the Sherbrooke Sports Hall of Fame. The ceremony, held at the Granada Theatre in Sherbrooke, was a poignant reminder of the historic achievement they accomplished over two decades ago. The induction celebrated their victory at the 1998 CIAU (now U Sports) National Championship, Bishop’s University’s first and only men’s basketball title.
In a recent interview, just days after the induction, Pomykala reflected on the ceremony and what it meant to him and the team. “It was very well done, very professional. And it was a real honour to be part of it,” Pomykala said. Several members of the team, including co-captain and national tournament MVP Stewart Clark, travelled from afar to attend. Clark came with his two young sons from Kingston, Ontario, while other players like Ryan Thorne, Patrice Lemieux, and Jamie Woods made the trip from the Montreal area.
The team’s incredible journey to their national title in March 1998, starting from a difficult defeat the previous year, was a testament to perseverance and teamwork. “The year before, we lost by six points to McMaster in the first round of the national championship,” Pomykala recalled. That loss was transformative for the team, as it became the catalyst for their determination to come back stronger. “We sat there and we said we’re coming back here next year, and this time we’re coming back to win it,” he explained.
That grit and determination carried them through the 1997-1998 season. The Gaiters were known for their unselfish team play on offense and the best defense in the country, statistically. Despite lacking any first or second team All-Canadian players, they were a dominant force. “It was teamwork personified,” Pomykala said. “We never knew who was going to be the leading scorer in each game.” It wasn’t just luck or recruitment but a shared commitment to work together that powered them to victory.
