OLDS — As a four-year captain of the Medicine Hat College Rattlers, Collin Ralko was part of a culture where the coaching staff set standards more than rules.
Now, Ralko will look to set standards of his own as the new head coach of the Olds College Broncos men’s basketball team, beginning with the 2023-24 season.
Accountability and leadership will serve as tenets of his coaching platform.
“When standards can be created amongst the team, with the team, they feel togetherness and the desire to uphold them by holding each other to these standards they have agreed upon,” he said.
“Rules create followers, standards empower leaders. Every day, we will find ways to empower and build leaders and ensure we hold each other accountable to levels of excellence on the court, in the classroom, and in the community.”
“Collin is going to be a tremendous addition to our coaching staff at Olds College,” said Broncos Athletics manager Trina Radcliffe.
“It is very clear how passionate he is about basketball and how much he cares about the student-athlete experience.
“His past involvement as a player and leader in this league will allow him to mentor the young men who come through the program year after year.”
Originally from Winnipeg, Ralko comes to the Broncos after a post-secondary playing career that featured five Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national scholar awards, along with an Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) bronze medal and two ACAC silvers, and an appearance at the 2015 CCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship.
As a coach, Ralko is pursuing National Coaching Certification Program Level 3 certification, and has coached in both club (Boys Pivot Basketball Club) and high school capacities, having led W.H. Croxford High to a silver medal in boys 3A Zones competition in 2019.
Most recently, Ralko was an assistant coach for St. Mary’s University, which competed in last season’s national championship in Calgary.
With his ACAC experience, Ralko has identified key characteristics in building a successful program within the conference, with particular emphasis on program chemistry.
“Brothers fight, brothers look out for each other in good times and bad. Brothers set each other up for success,” he said.
“The idea of brotherhood is the key factor in succeeding. It will create buy-in to trust the process and enjoy it.
“We can't focus on the outcome or be outcome-driven or that defines our season success. If focus is put towards being successful one day at a time, then in turn, the outcome will take care of itself.”
One of Ralko’s primary coaching philosophies is W.I.N., which stands for What’s Important Now, and was adopted from one of his coaching mentors, Chad Watson of Medicine Hat High School.
Ralko said the concept resonates with him because he understands the challenges associated with the student-athlete experience.
“In a nutshell, you either make moments or miss moments, and being able to presently think about the most important items during a task will create the moments and allow you to absorb that moment fully,” he said.
“We will have an end goal in mind, and this W.I.N philosophy will help us decide in every moment to best capitalize on that moment and propel us towards the end goal.”
Overall, Ralko is looking forward to implementing everything he’s learned as a coach as he looks to build the Broncos program.
“I am excited to lead a group of young men into excellence in the 3C's: court, classroom and community,” Ralko said.
“Coaching basketball is the career I have always wanted to pursue.
“Olds College has given me the avenue to start this journey and in return, my 100 per cent effort will be put forth at every moment, and that will be expected of the athletes as well.”
The Broncos will open the 2023-24 season on Oct. 20 in Saskatchewan against the Briercrest College Clippers.
Geordie Carragher is an Olds College sports information and esports coordinator. This story, submitted by him, was edited by the Albertan.
