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Informer

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Kelly Olynyk
poses for the
camera before a
basketball game
in Blansko, Czech
Republic. It was a
great experience
for the North
American team,
which fell to their
Czech opponents
who also play on
the European Pro
League.

Basketball Star Shines on
Mission to Europe

Wr most people were wondering
how to spend their summer
vacation, Capilano College’s 1993-94
female athlete of the year was well on her
way to a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Last year, while attending Mission Fest
’93 at the Pan Pacific Hotel, a brochure
with athletes on the front caught Kelly
Olynyk’s eye. Mission Fest offers
opportunities for people to visit other
parts of the world as missionaries and
provide essential services, such as
medical aid. This particular program
made its connections through a variety of
sports’ programs, with participants
playing teams in Czech Republic, the
Slovak Republic and the Ukraine. It
offered everything that Kelly holds close
to her heart.

“T am Ukrainian and I wanted to go to
that part of the world and see where my

6

family came from,” said the former point
guard for the Capilano Blues. “Plus, I also
wanted to play basketball and discuss
Christianity.”

Forty sponsors helped the general arts
student raise the $5,500 needed to make
the trip. “Because I was attending Cap on
a sports scholarship, I thought they might
be able to help me out. The College
provided some financial support and I
raised the rest of the money from relatives
and people I know.”

The two-month trip also offered Kelly
the opportunity to meet lots of other
young people. “There were 150 North
Americans, aged 18 to 26, travelling in
our group,” she said. “I made friendships
with them, and with people from other
countries, that I hope will last a lifetime.”

Her favorite country and the location
of her most memorable experience of the

trip was the Ukraine. “The people there
were so giving and so loving,” she said,
adding, “We took a million dollars worth
of medical supplies with us and we gave
everything to one hospital there. All the
doctors and nurses were crying. It was
really touching.”

Because Kelly’s family lives in
Kamloops, Capilano College’s men’s
basketball coach, Phil Langely, along
with his wife, Judy, became her second
parents. “Living with them was
wonderful,” said the basketball star.
“And I loved going to Cap.”

Kelly is attending the University of
Victoria this year to study speech
pathology. When asked her opinion on
Vancouver’s newest national basketball
team, the Grizzlies, she said: “It’s
awesome. I hope that I will be able to
take in some of their games.” O