Dale "Mobile" Holmes is the floor director of the University of Regina Cougars Men's Basketball Team.
"I'm not sure you can overstate his importance," said Cougarsı coach James Hillis.
"The outside media has been focusing on Kevin Gilroy and Bill Johnson. I think Dale has been overshadowed a bit."
Holmes, the team's point guard and captain, has a strong three point shot, can drive to the basket, and can pull up for a mid range shot during a drive.
"He is a CIAU all-Canadian potential guard," said Hillis.
Holmes also averaged 7.9 assists per game last season.
"He's fairly strong in all aspects of the game," said teammate David Hambleton. "He is a great scorer. He's a good rebounder. He can dish the ball."
Holmes started playing basketball when he was a kid. He remembers trying to play the sport with every free moment he had.
"Any time you find something you enjoy doing, it grows on you," said Holmes. "I was always drawn to playing basketball."
Holmes says that his biggest influence in continuing in the sport of basketball was his high school coach Chuck Toth. Toth searched for a university program that Holmes could play for.
"I didn't really need any incentive other than the fact I enjoy playing," said Holmes.
Holmes most memorable moment of his basketball career was when the Cougars made their first of three straight appearances in the GPAC final in the 1995-96 season.
"We beat Manitoba here [in the semi-finals] in two games," said Holmes. "Looking back that was our biggest highlight."
Holmes has also received a number of individual honours during his time with the Cougars. He was named a first team GPAC all-star in 1997 and 1998.
He set the school record for three-point shots made in a game at seven in a 110-80 victory over the University of Winnipeg Wesmen last season. The record is not as special to Holmes as team accomplishments.
"That was good for a short period of time," said Holmes. "That game was over so quickly. After the game, it wore off."
Holmes is entering his final year of university eligibility. He is currently the Cougarsı ninth all-time leading scorer, and the teamıs all-time leader in three-point shots made in league play at 102. Those records only have a small significance to Holmes.
"I don't think about it at all, but it's nice to know," he said.
Holmes would like to see assists become an official CIAU statistic in basketball.
"I think for any good team you need people to share the ball," says Holmes. "It's good to show off for young people. I think it is a very important part of the game."
Holmes likes the responsibility he has with his point guard role. He is the person who sets up what the Cougars will do on the court.
"The point guard is a leadership role. You definitely have to be a vocal leader on the court," said Holmes.
He feels that this will be his last year for major competitive basketball. He hopes he will be remembered as a team player when his basketball career is done.
"That is what my game is about," says Holmes. "My game is about being unselfish."
Holmes is a quiet person off the court. He is currently finishing his Film and Video degree at the U of R. He would like to become a camera person at sporting events.
