When Dale Dergousoff arrived in Prince George in 2004, he wasn't looking for fanfare, accolades or an eventual Wall of Honour induction. 

Initially he moved north for work and in the process he built a successful career, raised a family, and became a respected member of the Prince George community. Yet for more than two decades, he also gave something else to this region — and to UNBC Men's Basketball. 

His time. 

His expertise. 

And his unwavering commitment to helping others both on and off the basketball court. 

For over 20 years, Dergousoff served the Timberwolves as an assistant coach, mentor, volunteer, donor, and trusted confidant. Along the way, he helped shape the most successful teams and influential players in program history. 

"Dale moved to town for work reasons, but because he loved the game, he selflessly gave himself to this program for over 20 years," said UNBC Men's Basketball Head Coach Todd Jordan. "It's a great example of volunteerism in your community. He's supported so many players and coaches, including myself. That's his legacy - Selfless service." 

Basketball has been a lifelong passion for Dergousoff. A four-year starter at Simon Fraser University, he went on to play professionally in New Zealand before earning an opportunity with the Canadian National Team during the 1991-92 season. 

His willingness to share that knowledge would leave a lasting mark on UNBC. 

After beginning his coaching journey in youth and high school basketball, Dergousoff joined the Timberwolves coaching staff during the 2005-06 season. What followed was one of the most successful eras in program history, including appearances at the 2009 and 2010 CCAA National Championships. In 2010, the Timberwolves captured that elusive National Championship victory in Calgary.  

During the Timberwolves transition to U SPORTS and Canada West, he remained a steady presence throughout one of the most transformative periods in UNBC Athletics history. 

Jordan first met Dergousoff while coaching with him at UNBC as assistants to Mike Raimbault. At the same time, Dergousoff and Jordan were coaching foes at the high school level as Dergousoff was coaching PGSS and Jordan was leading Duchess Park.  

When Todd Jordan's time arrived to take on the head coaching responsibilities, keeping Dergousoff close was a no brainer. 

"When I became head coach, I knew I needed people with different strengths on the bench with me," Jordan reflected. "He had high-level playing experience, playing professionally and with the national team, so having a veteran coach beside me was really helpful." 

That mentorship extended beyond players. 

Jordan credits Dergousoff as a trusted sounding board throughout his coaching career. 

"You go through lots of ups and downs as a head coach," Jordan said. "He was always somebody I could bounce things off of. Even to this day, he's helped me through some difficult situations. That's been his biggest value to me." 

While his influence on fellow coaches was significant, there's no denying the profound impact he had on the student-athletes. 

Few players understand that better than former Timberwolves standout, and fellow Wall of Honour inductee, Franco Kouagnia. 

"Dale worked with all the post players in practice," Kouagnia recalled. "He did a lot of individual work with us. In games, he was great at adding little things to help us perform at our best." 

Kouagnia credits Dergousoff with helping elevate his game from promising athlete to one of the top players in the conference, and eventually the program's first all-star. 

"The best piece of advice he gave me was how to attack my defender," said Kouagnia. "It was advice that helped me even when I went on to play professionally." 

Jordan saw similar growth in countless players over the years. 

"Dale worked so closely with our forwards throughout the years," he said. "Franco becoming our first all-star was a great example. Charles Barton benefited tremendously, especially as a rebounder. Daniel Stark, Dennis Stark, Spencer Ledoux — Dale was a great mentor to all of those players and countless others. He'd take our forwards and spend a big chunk of practice working with them." 

During the program's early years, Dergousoff would frequently join scrimmages himself, providing players with a firsthand lesson in toughness and competitiveness. 

Kouagnia has vivid memories of Dale on the floor, putting his words into action. 

"Dale was tough," he said. "He was always teaching us toughness on the floor. Even when he was scrimmaging with us, he never went easy on us." 

Yet for all of the basketball lessons, Kouagnia fondly remembers Dergousoff for the things that happened away from the gym. 

Kouagnia recalls being welcomed into the Dergousoff family home during the summer months, a gesture that meant even more for student-athletes living  away from their own families. 

"He'd have us over for dinner, and it was the little things like that that he didn't have to do, but he wanted to," Kouagnia said. "I didn't have family around, so it was very nice for him to open his door to me." 

That generosity became a defining characteristic of Dergousoff's involvement with the program. 

While balancing his career with Parker Optometry and raising a family, he consistently sacrificed personal and professional time to support the Timberwolves. 

He regularly sponsored the program through Parker Optometry, but the amount of time he gave was arguably his greatest contribution towards the betterment of the program. He travelled with the Timberwolves most weekends, sacrificing time with his own family and his patients – all because he cared about the program. 

For the players who benefitted from that commitment, the impact continues to resonate years later. 

"To see him on the bench was comforting," Kouagnia said. "He gave great basketball advice and life advice. Now that I'm older and a father myself, I've used a lot of his advice." 

As Dergousoff takes his place on the UNBC Athletics Wall of Honour, his contributions to this place and this program can be found in the countless athletes, coaches, and community members whose lives were made better because he chose to give his time. 

Not because he had to. 

Because he wanted to. 

That is the essence of Dale Dergousoff's legacy as a coach at UNBC. 

While basketball has been a lifelong passion, Dergousoff is quick to point out that none of it would have been possible without the support of those closest to him. 

"This honour wouldn't be possible without the unwavering love, support, and understanding of my family," said Dergousoff. "The countless evenings, weekends, and seasons I've spent coaching and travelling were only possible because of them." 

He credits his wife, Tracy, and children, Sam, Ilia, and Brynn, for supporting his commitment to the game and the athletes he mentored throughout the years. 

For a man whose legacy has been defined by giving to others, it is fitting that his final words of gratitude are directed toward those who gave so much to him. 

"Family is not an important thing," Dergousoff said. "It's everything." 

And that is why he belongs on the Wall of Honour.