VIU Mariners

Congratulations to Kai Leighton: the fifth year Vancouver Island University men's basketball all-star has been named a 2025-26 CCAA - ACSC Torchbearer Scholarship recipient, presented by FieldTurf!

He's been a top student-athlete with VIU and his work with Special Olympics Basketball Nanaimo and Kw’umut Lelum Child and Family Services demonstrates his leadership and dedication to community. Congratulations again, Kai!

CCAAsportACSC Kai Leighton CCAA Torchbearer, presented by FieldTurf

The ball and the torch have been passed as we welcome (back) Eric D’Andrea – our new head coach for VIU MENS BASKETBALL!

D'Andrea, from Nelson, BC, played at Vancouver Island University for four seasons between 2012 and 2017 under outgoing coach Matt Kuzminski and was on VIU’s 2013 CCAA national championship team. He becomes the twelfth head coach to lead the Mariners men’s basketball program.

"Being part of the program and playing here for as long as I did meant a lot to me," D’Andrea said. "I look forward to taking on the challenge of building on the success of the program and building the culture that made playing here such a great experience."

D’Andrea will be joined on the bench by two other Mariners alumni and CCAA national champions on the bench as assistant coaches: Connor Billett and Jon Bethell.

D’Andrea’s first ID camp for prospective Mariners (ages 17+) runs Saturday, May 2 at the VIU Gymnasium in Nanaimo. Interested parties can register via the Talent ID Camp link on the VIU Mariners website (linked in story). Time to get to work! 🏀

Welcome Aboard Eric D'Andrea named 12th head coach in Mariners men's basketball history

Congratulations to Jada Kamerman: her outstanding and award-winning season led her to be the first Mariner soccer player voted PACWEST BC (Pacific Western Athletic Association) Female Athlete of the Year (Across All Sports) since the award was created in 2000! ⚽️⭐️

PACWEST's Best VIU's Jada Kamerman named PACWEST Conference Female Athlete of the Year Across All Sports