Bir Parmar announces departure

CALGARY, ALTA. – Bir Parmar is not saying goodbye. He is simply saying see you later. 

The head coach of the SAIT Trojans women’s basketball program is stepping away from the role he has held the past eight seasons to focus on life away from the sport. His hope is to return to coaching someday. But for now, it’s time to rest.

“I’m shifting my attention to making sure I’m around and kicking for a while,” said Parmar. “It’s something that can't keep going on, so I am going to take the time needed to get things sorted. At some point, the body will say it’s time and the mind will say it’s time to get back into it. I’ll miss it right now, but for the first time in a long time, when I wake up in the morning I don’t think about basketball, unfortunately.”

Parmar became the head coach of the Trojans prior to the 2015-16 season, taking over from the legendary Donovan Martin, who he had worked under dating back to 2010. Working alongside one of the winningest coaches in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) women’s basketball history helped Parmar craft, and trust in, what became his coaching style.

But Parmar says coaching basketball was just a small part of what he learned from Martin.

“What a man,” Parmar stated. “What he taught me was the human stuff, and that changed me as a person. I’ll never forget that.”

Parmar’s best season came in 2017-18 when he led the Trojans to a 17-4 record and first place finish in the ACAC’s South Division. His team went on to win their second consecutive bronze medal and Parmar was named the ACAC South Division Coach of the Year.

 Off the court, Parmar made an impact on SAIT athletics due to his work with the Trojans Basketball Booster Club (TBBC). His tireless work with the alumni association has ensured a financially healthy women’s and men’s basketball program for many years to come.

 “An ambassador of Trojans Athletics, Bir has been relentless in his efforts to enhance and improve the women’s basketball program. Most people will recognize his impact on game day or during the season, but it is that behind-the-scenes stuff that has been incredibly impactful and foundational,” said Wade Kolmel, SAIT Director of Athletics and Recreation. “Bir is often found in high school gyms all over our city, showcasing our program and our league. Off the court, he runs the TBBC handling tasks most coaches avoid at all costs.

 “If you catch Bir leading campus tours with new recruits, or on senior’s nights with flowers and a proud grin, you know you are in the presence of a person who really cares about the larger outcomes of sport that do not involve a scoreboard.”

 Parmar said there wasn’t really a choice in the matter.

 “It’s a responsibility that we have, to ensure the sustainability of the program,” he explained. “Donovan and I made sure we got that part of things sorted out and I just kept going with it. That accomplishment certainly helped us and our men’s program. As far as priorities went, I wanted to make sure the experiences our athletes had was one they could look back on and smile.”

 While this past season did not go the way he anticipated, there were some highlights he was able to take away. Chief among them - coaching in front of his family and friends during an exhibition road trip to Nanaimo, B.C.

 “It was good, going out, to have that,” he said, voice trembling.

 When asked what he’ll miss the most, Parmar talks about bus trips and dinners out, not come-from-behind wins or devastating losses. And while plenty of memories are created during each season, Parmar’s biggest thrill is when he sees former players of his – some with kids of their own now – show up to both home and road games to catch up and say hi.

 “Wherever we go, those people are still in the picture. They make it all worthwhile,” Parmar said with pride. “I don’t have children of my own, but for eight months of the year for eight years I was able to rent some and I will be forever grateful for that.”

Article written by Brody Mark