Guelph, ON – The Guelph Nighthawks Professional Basketball Club is excited to announce Tarry Upshaw as its Head Coach and General Manager for the 2019 Canadian Elite Basketball League season. The press conference was held on Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 inside the Sleeman Centre.

Coach Upshaw joins the Guelph Nighthawks following a decorated professional career that has taken him from North America to Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. Having both played and coached at the University of Guelph, Tarry brings with him the unique combination of ties to the local basketball community and a strong professional resume that will lead the Nighthawks basketball operations department in 2019.

Tarry Upshaw Bio:

Coach Tarry Upshaw started his collegiate playing career as a member of the University of Guelph men’s basketball program during a period that the team’s home court was infamously known as the House of Slam . Following his collegiate career Upshaw transitioned into the coaching ranks as an Assistant Coach of the men’s basketball program at the University of Guelph from 1991-1997.

In 1999 Tarry became Head Coach of the Georgian College men’s basketball program. During his seven seasons at Georgian Coach Upshaw was nationally ranked with 5 OCAA Final Eight appearances.

At a professional level Tarry’s coaching career has taken him to Europe, Asia and the Caribbean where he has coached Skatligrimur Basketball Club in Iceland, the Sagesse Basketball Club in Lebanon, the Hong Kong National Basketball Team, the Jamaican U18 National Team and consulted with the 2004 and 2006 Asian Games. With Sagesse Tarry led his club to the ultimate club prize as champions of the Lebanon Basketball Cup, Arab Club Championship and FIBA Asian Club Championship.

At present, Tarry is the Director of Basketball and OSBA Head Coach for Ridley College in St. Catharines, ON.

About the Canadian Elite Basketball League:

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is a professional basketball league with six teams located across Canada, starting play in May, 2019. The league will run a 20-game regular season schedule, in addition to a Championship Weekend in August, 2019. The CEBL will provide sports fans with premium entertainment while also allowing players, coaches and stakeholders the opportunity to engage in the sport of basketball in meaningful ways that support the growth of the game in Canada. The CEBL will operate in accordance with the player and referee standards set by Canada Basketball and will adhere to the International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) rules and regulations. For updates and more information, please visit www.cebl.ca.

About the Guelph Nighthawks Professional Basketball Club:

The Guelph Nighthawks are one of six founding teams in the CEBL. The club are active members in the city, sharing our resources, building our community and coming together as one around the game of basketball. The Nighthawks will play its home games at the Sleeman Centre, convenienty located in the heart of downtown Guelph. The club will provide fans with a new sport entertainment experience in Guelph, encouraging Nighthawks Nation to come downtown early, wear their team colours, enjoy one of the many restaurant patios and partake in the vibrancy of downtown Guelph. Inside the Sleeman Centre the team will not only put on an incredible show, but game nights will be highlighted by a unique blend of entertainment for both the passionate basketball fan and those looking for local, affordable entertainment. The experience will include true courtside seating, the sights and sounds of DJ’s and cheer squads, and floor-level social spaces. For more information, please visit www.thenighthawks.ca.

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For more information please contact:

Natasha Hall-Brodie, [email protected] (519) 497-8828