WOLFVILLE, NS – Acadia University's Director of Athletics Brian Finniss today announced the contract extension of Axewomen Basketball head coach Len Harvey.
"The Acadia Women's Basketball program under Len's guidance and leadership, has proven to be one of the strongest programs in the country over the last number of years, continually setting new program records along the way. After a program-best finish this past season, I look forward to continuing to work with and support Len and the student-athletes as we go after the ultimate goal of winning a National Championship," said Finniss.
Harvey, the winningest coach in Axewomen basketball history, will head into his ninth season with the Axewomen program since taking over the program in 2015. Prior to returning to his alma mater, Harvey was the Head Coach of the Mount Royal University Cougars and led the Cougars in Canada West competition for two seasons after the university joined U SPORTS in 2012.
"I care deeply about Acadia and have poured my heart into this university, and the Axewomen basketball program for the last 8 years, so I'm thankful and proud to be able to continue to represent our institution. We've been fortunate to have incredible people playing for and working with the team who have been the reason for the successes through the years. I'm very excited to continue to work with all of them that are currently here, and the future Axewomen to come," said Harvey.
His success at Acadia has been quite evident over his tenure as head coach of the Axewomen.
Harvey has guided the team to two consecutive AUS Championships in 2018 and 2019, and a 2021-22 championship along with four U SPORTS National Championships appearances, a U SPORTS National #1 ranking in 2018 and 2023 along with a recent fifth-place finish at the USPORTS National Championship this past March.
"I'm proud of what we've accomplished, but there's still more to do. We set out a number of years ago to try and push this program to new heights and to contend for national championships. As one of the smaller schools in the country, it has felt like we're trying to boil the ocean at times, but I'm as committed as ever to having lofty aspirations for this team, our student-athletes, and our institution," noted Harvey.
The Axewomen have made the playoffs in each of his seasons, including reaching the last six consecutive AUS finals. Harvey was named the Carolyn Savoy Memorial Award winner in 2018 as the AUS Coach of the Year.
Harvey has accumulated 101 wins and 33 regular season losses over his seven complete seasons with the Axewomen. During his time as coach, the Axewomen program has produced 3 USPORTS Major Award Winners, 7 USPORTS All-Canadians, 11 AUS Major Award Winners, 15 AUS All-Stars, and 64 Academic All-Canadians.
"I love to coach, I love to work with our student-athletes, I work with some of my best friends, and I get to do it all in a community that supports women's basketball like nowhere else in the country. I'm an incredibly lucky person, and thankful to Acadia for continuing to believe in what we're doing here," added Harvey.