Maria Banman – What is PACE?

Maria Banman – What is PACE?

Byrarden
Maria Banman’s 2025-2026 signing. Taken by
Meaghan Blakely, 2025.

At Thompson Rivers University, student-athletes are expected to perform both on the field and in the classroom. For members of the TRU WolfPack, balancing practices, games, travel, and schoolwork can be challenging. Maria Banman, a student-athlete and PACE leader, says the PACE program helps make that balance possible.

WHAT IS PACE
PACE, which stands for Pack Academic Edge, is an academic support program created specifically for WolfPack student-athletes. “It’s a structured, supportive study environment where student-athletes can work on assignments, connect with other athletes, and receive tutoring from PACE leaders,” Banman explained. Each team has one PACE leader: a fellow student-athlete who helps guide others and often specializes in certain subjects.

GOAL OF PACE
Maria Banman says the goal of the program is simple: “The main goal of PACE is to help student-athletes succeed academically while being part of a WolfPack sports team.” With busy schedules and limited free time, many athletes need a set time and place to focus on school. PACE sessions provide that space and help keep students accountable.

PACE classroom. Taken by Raelene Arden, 2026.

PACE LEADER’S JOB
As a PACE leader, Banman’s job is to create a positive and productive study space. “It’s about supporting and guiding student-athletes,” she said. That might mean sharing study tips, helping break down assignments into smaller steps, or directing teammates to campus resources. She also believes being a leader means setting a good example. “You’re a role model. It’s important to show good habits and that academics are a priority,” she explained.

Old Main building. Taken by Raelene Arden, 2026.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS
Academic standards are taken seriously within the WolfPack program. GPA requirements depend on factors like scholarships, year of study, and league, but most student-athletes must maintain around a 65 percent average. “If student-athletes fall below the required GPA, they could lose a scholarship, be placed on academic probation, be required to attend mandatory PACE sessions, lose eligibility, or in severe cases, be removed from the program,” Banman said.


For Banman, PACE is more than just study time. It is a system that helps student-athletes stay on track and succeed in both their sport and their education.

Fran Monreal—U.S. to Canada, Finding a Home at TRU

Bydhitchens
Fan Monreal in the Tournament Capital Centre. Daniel Hitchens, 2026

At just 21 years old, Fan Monreal’s basketball career has taken him on many journeys through multiple different countries and cultures. Originally from Spain, Monreal is now in his third year at college and over the last 4 months has been adjusting to his new life in canada. Before coming to Thompson Rivers University, Monreal spent his time in the United States, where he spent his first year in Missouri and his second in Kansas. Although moving throughout countries due to basketball has become somewhat normal for him, each transition brings new challenges and tribulations he has had to overcome.

Tournament Capital Centre Court. Daniel Hitchens, 2026

Monreal’s Recruitment Journey

Monreal’s recruitment Journey to canada started with a spanish agent who specializes in finding players opportunities in canada. Because of Monreal’s talents, at the end of last season when he was still playing in Kansas, the agent reached out and explained how the canadian university system works and why it could be a good fit for him both athletically and academically. After some thought, Monreal decided to sign with the agent; quickly after came conversations with universities from around Canada. Monreal had many calls with coaches, learning about their programs, teams, expectations, and opportunities.

In the end, the decision came down to finding the overall best fit. After discussions with his family, Monreal decided to sign with Thompson Rivers University because it matched what he was looking for both on and off the court. However, before officially signing with TRU he met multiple times with the head coach of the men’s basketball team and his agent to go over details to ensure they had what he needed to achieve his goals. for Monreal the process wasnt just about choosing a team; it was about choosing the best environment for his future.

Locker room In the Tournament Captial Centre. Daniel Hitchens, 2026

Recruitment: USA vs Canada

Monreal noticed a big difference between the recruitment processes in the U.S. and Canada. U.S. recruitment can feel more structured and competitive, with a strong culture around exposure and scouting services. With so many programs and athletes, standing out can be difficult unless players are proactive in promoting themselves.

In Canada, it feels more relationship-based and involves more direct communication with the coaching staff; it made the process feel more straightforward and less stressful. Fran also pointed out that social media like X (Twitter) played a bigger role in the recruitment process in the U.S., with players and coaches using it mostly for communicating and sharing highlights. Overall, while both systems offer great opportunities, the path to getting noticed can feel very different depending on the country.

Joining the Wolfpack

Monreal meantioned how joining the WolfPack didn’t just mean being at a new school and playing with a new team; it meant adapting to a new culture, school, weather, and changes on the court.

However, he says, with the pillars of support he had behind From administrative staff helping with immigration and paperwork to coaches and teammates offering guidance and encouragement, the WolfPack community helped him settle in. Although it’s only been 4 months, the people around him have become more like family than anything else. His teammates helped make the move to canada feel possible and made him feel welcome from the first time he set his foot on the basketball court.

Olena Vasylenko – A Life of Basketball

Byckonig
Olena Vasylenko in the women's basketball locker room based in the Tournament Capital Centre. Colby Konig, 2026.
Olena Vasylenko in the women’s basketball locker room based in the Tournament Capital Centre. Colby Konig, 2026.

Olena Vasylenko was born and grew up in Berdyansk, Ukraine. The 24-year-old basketball player has now made her way to Canada and, through trial and tribulation, has made a career out of her beloved sport. Vasylenko started playing basketball when she was eight years old at her school in Berdyansk. On April 6, 2022, she had to flee Ukraine because Russia was invading, but she never wavered on her love for basketball and her passion to make a career out of the sport.

Vasylenko’s Start Up

Vasylenko played on the U16, U18 and U20 Ukrainian national teams, as well as professionally in Germany and Ukraine, before making her way to Canada and debuting for the WolfPack in Kamloops, B.C. As she recalled her first basketball practices at age eight, she expressed feeling a sense of safety playing the sport, where her freedom could be found and she could have self-expression. When she left Ukraine and went to Germany, she started playing at Eigner Angels Nördlingen. By her second year there, she was an assistant coach as well as a head coach on a Regio team, at the same time as playing on the Eigner Angels team. After leaving Nördlingen, she went to Rostock, Germany, to play for the Rostock SeaWolves, as well as coaching the U12 and U16 programs. After spending time in Germany, she wanted to fulfill her dream of playing in Canada, and after some calls with the head coach of TRU women’s basketball, Scott Clark, she was on her way to Kamloops, B.C.

Vasylenko leading the offence against UNBC on December 5, 2025. Photo submitted by Olena Vasylenko, taken by Alessandro Boggio.

New Opportunities Arise

She landed in Kamloops in August 2025 and played her first season of U Sports basketball for the WolfPack while completing her master’s in education. She plans to reside in Kamloops for three years while completing her master’s degree. Olena has shown what it takes to make a career out of your sport and how your life can revolve around basketball. Every sacrifice she has made has paid off to make her dream come true.

Valuable Advice

When asked what advice she would give to younger athletes wanting to make a career out of their sport, she had plenty of advice. “It’s most important to work as hard as possible, be tough and follow instructions from your coach,” Vasylenko said. She also discussed the importance of being a good teammate, pushing everyone to get better every day and being a supporter of your teammates on and off the court. She explained the importance of confidence in sports and how, if you are not the most skilled on the team, listening to your coaches and being confident in what you do will get you the farthest.

Vasylenko's locker. Colby Konig, 2026.
Vasylenko’s locker. Colby Konig, 2026.

Vasylenko Values Hard Work

Vasylenko has portrayed resilience in its utmost form. Through all the troubles that life has thrown her way, she has kept a sense of hard work and joy in everything she does. With her never-quit and team-first mindset, she has been able to make a career out of the sport that she loves the most, and it has given her the opportunities to see the world.

Overview

Bydhitchens

Our website focuses on showcasing the recruitment pathways and professional journeys of outstanding athletes across British Columbia. This website will cover national icons and high-level university athletes who are part of our very own WolfPack here in Kamloops. It features top University Athletes who have left an impression at the tournaments and on the sporting community. One of the site’s main goals is to celebrate athletes that are a part of WolfPack and share their experiences, accomplishments, and growth from recruitment to graduation. By doing this, the website hopes to promote the strong athletic culture and excellence in British Columbia, and more specifically the WolfPack community while educating and motivating connections between current and future athletes, coaches, and supporters.

Kim Anderson