Damian Buckley, one of the most accomplished athletes in Concordia University history, will return home to assist Rastko Popovic coach the Stingers men’s basketball team.
“I am very happy to add Damian to our coaching staff,” said Popovic who was announced as the Stingers’ head coach a couple of weeks ago. “As a player, Damian was one of the best to ever wear a Stingers jersey. His high basketball IQ and knowledge of the game will have a positive impact on our young players. Damian is a young, upcoming coach that has a great work ethic and passion for basketball."
Buckley’s duties will include leading skill development sessions for guards as well as recruiting and video editing.
Buckley was a highly decorated point guard for four seasons with the Stingers beginning in 2005. He was a four-time RSEQ first team all-star and a two-time CIS all-Canadian. He was the conference MVP in 2009 and Concordia’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2008 and 2009.
He hit a couple of significant personal milestones in his last season as a player. He recorded his 1,000th career point in RSEQ regular season play on Feb. 7, 2009 in a game versus the Laval Rouge et Or. It took him 56 games to reach the mark.
In his final game of the 2009 season, at the CIS nationals versus the Ottawa Gee-Gees, Buckley scored his 2000th point in a Stinger uniform.
He finished his career with 118 games and 2009 points for an average of 17 a game.Since he left university, Buckley has been developing his coaching skills at Rosemont High School and at Sun Youth where he coached the bantam boys AAA team and summer AAU teams.
