Photo courtesy
Coach Eddie Pomykala, alongside Bishop’s University staff and several members of the 1997-1998 championship team, proudly accepts the team’s induction into the Sherbrooke Sports Hall of Fame on Sept. 11. The ceremony celebrated their historic national title win, a first for Bishop’s men’s basketball, and the impact it had on the Eastern Townships community.
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.
Bishop’s secured their national title with victories over powerhouse teams, defeating the University of Alberta Golden Bears, the University of Victoria Vikes, and finally, the McMaster University Marauders. Their 74-71 victory in the final was a culmination of hard work, preparation, and a little bit of magic.
Reflecting on their success, Pomykala highlighted the trust that developed among his players as a crucial factor in their championship run. “Trust is the most important word in team sports,” he said, attributing their high shooting percentages and ability to make great shots to that trust. The team shot an impressive 60 per cent from the floor during the national tournament.
The 1998 win wasn’t just a victory for the Gaiters but for the entire Bishop’s community. The team was supported by a massive contingent of fans who made the long journey to Halifax to cheer them on. “We had the most incredible fans,” Pomykala remembered, noting how 700 fans travelled to Halifax. The Gaiters also maintained an unbeaten home streak for two-and-a-half years, another testament to the energy their fans brought to every game.
At the time, the win had a profound impact on the school and its students. Back in 1998, Bishop’s fans flooded the streets of Halifax after the final game. The Bishop’s faithful had travelled through a snowstorm from Lennoxville, and the team’s dramatic semifinal victory over the University of Victoria only fueled the celebration. As one fan remarked at the time, “It’s all about the Gaiters.”
The final against McMaster was a tense affair, with the Gaiters relying on crucial plays from players like Stewart Clark, whose defensive tenacity and calm under pressure secured their victory. In the final seconds of the game, Clark made a decisive free throw to put Bishop’s ahead by three, ensuring McMaster would need a desperate last-second shot to tie the game. When that shot missed, the Gaiters became national champions.
Looking back, the legacy of the 1998 team goes beyond the championship banner that hangs in the Bishop’s sports complex. “We didn’t think of ourselves as special,” Pomykala said. “But when I look back at it now, I think for Bishop’s University and for our athletic department, we were special.” Their induction into the Hall of Fame 26 years later was a testament to how much their achievement meant, not just to the university but to the Eastern Townships and Quebec university basketball as a whole.
Coach Pomykala was quick to credit the broader community for their role in the team’s success. “For the Eastern Townships community and for the city of Sherbrooke to recognize us, I think that also takes it to another level,” he said. “We went outside of our own community to have that kind of recognition. It was special.”
Pomykala reiterated just how much the team’s accomplishment still resonates today. “Twenty-six years later, you go, wow, this is really something, and we really did something special.” Their place in the Sherbrooke Sports Hall of Fame ensures that the memory of their historic championship will live on for future generations of Bishop’s students and basketball fans alike.