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Mark Wacyk Named President of the Ottawa BlackJacks

September 12, 2024

Team also appoints Leo B. Doyle as BlackJacks Community Advisor

The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday the appointment of Mark Wacyk as Team President of the Ottawa BlackJacks. With over 35 years of entrepreneurial experience across diverse industries, including sports, technology, high-net-worth finance, transportation, and biopharmaceuticals, Wacyk’s expertise and drive will be instrumental in advancing the Ottawa BlackJacks' growth and community impact as the team enters its sixth season.


Additionally, the BlackJacks are introducing Leo B. Doyle as the team’s Community Advisor. Doyle will assist in expanding the team’s community portfolio, connecting with key local figures to support local clubs and organizations.


With a 15-year career in high-tech, Ottawa BlackJacks' newest Executive team member, Wacyk (WA-sick), co-founded Akara Corporation, a venture-backed technology startup that was acquired by Ciena Corp in 2003. Wacyk has also had a successful 15-year tenure managing investments and trading commodity futures with RBC Dominion Securities.


A passionate supporter of Canadian university and community sports, Wacyk has made significant contributions as an alumnus, donor, fundraiser, coach, and athlete. As the Assistant Coach for the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, he played a role in their Wilson Cup championship in 1993. He later founded the Garnet and Grey 6th Man Club, a basketball alumni chapter, and has volunteered as a basketball coach with the Ottawa Guardsmen and Ottawa Shooting Stars.


In community service, Wacyk played a key role in fundraising and project management for the Carp Splash Pad, a children's water park developed in partnership with the City of Ottawa.


Wacyk holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science from McMaster University (1984) and an MBA from the University of Ottawa (1993).


The Ottawa BlackJacks Community Advisor Leo B. Doyle serves as the chair of Eastern Ontario Basketball and is the founder of the Ottawa Basketball Network (OBN), an advocacy group focused on promoting basketball and ensuring equitable access to opportunities that facilitate youth and community development. In addition to his work with OBN, Leo volunteers with Indigenous Sport and Wellness Ontario and sits on the boards of the Ottawa Shooting Stars Basketball Club and Nutrition Blocs, a non-profit organization dedicated to combating food insecurity among school-aged children in Ottawa.


Mark Wacyk, along with General Manager and Head Coach James Derouin, Community Advisor Leo B. Doyle, and the rest of the Ottawa BlackJacks organization will work to unite the Ottawa basketball and business communities in support of growing the sport in the Capital and Establish the BlackJacks as a premier destination for attracting top players and delivering a world-class sports and entertainment experience at The Arena at TD Place.


In 2024, the Ottawa BlackJacks finished the season third in the Eastern Conference, clinching a spot in the CEBL Eastern Conference semifinals against Niagara after defeating the Scarborough Shooting Stars in the Play-In Game at the Toronto PanAm Centre. Highlights of the season include two BlackJacks players winning major awards—Lloyd Pandi was named Defensive Player of the Year and Tevin Brown was named co-winner of the Clutch Player of the Year award. Additionally, the BlackJacks set a CEBL single-game scoring record during the Target Score era with 122 points scored against Niagara on July 20. The season also featured the hosting of the first men's basketball game officiated by an all-female Canadian crew on June 11 against Montreal.


Season Seat Memberships for the Ottawa BlackJacks 2025 season are now on sale. For as low as $32.50 per month, fans can enjoy 12 professional basketball games, VIP events, and exclusive perks. For more information, please visit www.theblackjacks.ca/tickets or contact the Ottawa BlackJacks Membership Services team directly at 613-690-0519 or by email at [email protected].


Quotes:


“I'm thrilled to be joining what is already a strong team here with the BlackJacks. The Capital Region is a passionate, sophisticated, and diverse basketball community with numerous successes across our post-secondary, high school, prep, and club programs. The BlackJacks are excited to continue the winning tradition in the city while fostering an inclusive and vibrant atmosphere for everyone at TD Place. In the CEBL, the BlackJacks have an established, legitimate professional sports league partner. The CEBL is a league like no other in the world with our Target Score ending that makes our unique game timeless, producing countless memorable game endings and distinctive fan experience.”


- Mark Wacyk, Team President, Ottawa BlackJacks


“The National Archives recently acknowledged that Ottawa is the birthplace of basketball in Canada. National excellence in basketball is an Ottawa tradition. It stretches back over 130 years. Under Mark Wacyk’s leadership, I know that the BlackJacks will continue to grow, and to become a central part of Ottawa’s tradition of basketball excellence. I am delighted to support Mark and his team in that journey.”



- Leo B. Doyle, Community Advisor, Ottawa BlackJacks


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We are confident that we are well-positioned to foster a culture that empowers our players to excel both on and off the court.” During Anderson’s tenure, 10 players have elevated their careers to the NBA G League with four players signing contracts with NBA clubs, including Javonte Cooke (Oklahoma City Thunder), Lindell Wigginton (Milwaukee Bucks), Christian Vital (Toronto Raptors), and Nino Johnson (Utah Jazz). Since 2020, 75 of the 96 players who have worn the black and gold pinstripes have played professionally around the world in the fall following the season, excluding six players who returned to their respective university basketball programs. “Jermaine (Anderson) shares our organization's vision of creating a great experience for all our players which allows them to reach their full potential into the next stages of their careers,” said Josie Pingitore, vice president of the Brampton Honey Badgers. “He has built both a competitive and positive culture amongst our players, coaches, and staff, making our organization a desirable one to play for.” After joining the Honey Badgers organization more than five years ago, Anderson spent the CEBL off-season as a player development coach with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association from 2019-22. Before transitioning to a front office role, Anderson had an impressive 14-year playing career (2004-18) that totaled more than 80 international games representing Canada. He also suited up in 294 games for 15 teams in eight different countries across Europe from 2008-17. An Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute graduate, Anderson earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing while playing at Fordham University. He averaged 10.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 30.2 minutes in 111 games during a four-year tenure with the Rams. Following his playing career, Anderson became a player development coach for Canada Basketball, handling player relations duties that ensured players had access to training facilities and health care across the country. In 2018, Anderson founded the Fifty For Free Youth Community Initiative, a not-for-profit organization based in Toronto and Halifax focused on building character, cultivating financial literacy, and developing basketball skills with youth from underserved communities. Anderson’s announcement follows the reveal of the Honey Badgers expanded 2025 schedule in December, featuring a slate of 24 games. Brampton’s campaign opens on the road May 18 against the Montreal Alliance, followed by a visit to the nation’s capital May 21 to take on the Ottawa BlackJacks. The Honey Badgers will then return home to host the Scarborough Shooting Stars on May 25 in the club’s home opener. Ticket packages to catch all of the action at the CAA Centre are now available, including season tickets , half season pack , group experiences , and more! Visit honeybadgers.ca/tickets or contact [email protected] for more information. ### About the Brampton Honey Badgers One of the original franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the 2022 CEBL Champion Brampton Honey Badgers proudly call the CAA Centre home. The Brampton front office and basketball operations department bring NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. With a vision of promoting Brampton grassroots basketball and local businesses through community and corporate engagement, the Honey Badgers will leverage the explosion of basketball as a vehicle for innovation and change. For more information visit honeybadgers.ca . About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 12 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. Twenty-two players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN , TSN+ , RDS , Game+ , Next Level Sports & Entertainment and Courtside1891 . More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube . 
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