Collier earns Canada West adversity award

By Lethbridge Herald on March 7, 2025.

Herald File photo by JUSTIN SEWARD Kyra Collier was named the recipient of Canada West’s Courage Overcoming Adversity Award

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Courage and perseverance  are things that local University of Lethbridge Pronghorn women’s basketball player Kyra Collier played with right from the first tip-off of this past season.

For that she was nominated for Canada West’s Courage Overcoming Adversity Award this week.

She displayed courage while overcoming adversity this season because it was just before the season started she endured the sudden passing of her father Clint.

“It’s always a great accomplishment to be recognized by Canada West and especially when this season just meant so much to me and really I did it for my dad,” said Collier.

Collier talked about how she was able to persevere through the season.

“The support from my teammates, my coaches and my family,” said Collier.

“Coming back from it, I knew everyone had my back and that whatever was thrown at me, I had an army behind me that was ready to pick me up if I fell down.”

Collier paid a small tribute to her dad throughout the season as she would go sit in his chair before games.

“Before warm up I would get to the university about two hours early and I’d go up there and just sit where he sat and talk with him,” said Collier.

“Whether it was I needed to cry or just have a conversation, and that really prepared me for games and reminded me who I was doing it for.”

The love and strength that was felt from father to daughter fuelled Collier to have her best season.

Clint made an impact on Kyra’s sports career throughout the years.

“My biggest supporter,” said Collier.

“Growing up, (he) coached me, I won banners with him, championships with him and when it was time for me to move schools, he was the biggest fan alongside my mom and my brother. And then when it came to trying out for different teams and things like that, he was always driving me places (and) taking work off to do so.”

Clint would make all of Kyra’s university home games and would watch every away game with her mom.

Collier talked about how she prepared to play the season with a heavy heart.

“It gave me a lot of perspective in just life in general and that helped me to not be so hard on myself,” said Collier.

“So my confidence actually ended up increasing due to my lack of judgement towards my mistakes or holding on to those mistakes for too long.”

Horn women’s basketball head coach Dave Waknuk thinks there was no one more deserving than Collier.

“I think she’s someone that is the definition of that award,” said Waknuk.

“I think the way that she’s played through adversity and carried herself the whole time, it’s not a surprise, but it’s great to see her honoured this way just because I think it’s such an important award. And it’s a great thing to highlight the things that she’s overcome to have success this year.”

Collier is the Canada West nominee for the U SPORTS Tracey McLeod Award, which goes to a player that displays  determination, perseverance and unwavering support.