If you guessed Randy Kusano, you’re right!
Randy Kusano enjoyed a remarkable basketball career as both a player and a coach.
He played three seasons with the Junior Bisons, helping the team win three national championships, and went on to play one season with the Varsity Bisons in 1975–76 - a year in which the team captured both the GPAC title and the CIAU National Championship. Talk about a lucky charm!
Known as the ultimate teammate, Randy was committed, hardworking, and a respected leader - despite not being a regular starter.
Randy went on to build a long and distinguished coaching career at the University of Manitoba. He began with three seasons with the Junior Bisons - one as an assistant to Hymie Fox and two as head coach - and later spent 15 years as an assistant coach with the men’s varsity program under Rick Suffield, Dan Becker, and Kirby Schepp. He also served several additional years as an assistant with the Bisons women’s team.
He also became one of Manitoba’s most successful high school coaches, leading Oak Park High School for 34 years. Under his leadership, the Raiders won 11 conference titles and three MHSAA ‘AAAA’ Provincial Championships.
Randy has contributed extensively to Basketball Manitoba’s summer provincial programs and currently serves as the Developmental Coach for the Female Program at Basketball Manitoba.