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On Saturday, 29 November 2025, at the University of Winnipeg Duckworth Centre during the Wesmen vs. Alberta Golden Bears game, the inaugural Bill Wedlake Scholarship Award was presented to Noah Kankam and Raia Guinto. This new annual scholarship will support U of W basketball players, honouring the legacy of Bill Wedlake and his decades-long contribution to Manitoba basketball.
Bill Wedlake (MBHOF Class of 2005) began his basketball career in 1968. Over 32 years he coached at both the high school and university levels — including 16 years at St. John’s High School (1968–1984) and 16 years with the Wesmen men’s basketball team (1984–2000). Across his coaching career, his teams amassed over 650 wins.
Beyond coaching, Wedlake played a foundational role as an administrator and builder of the sport in Manitoba. He helped co-found the Winnipeg Invitational Tournament (WIT), served as President of Basketball Manitoba, held the presidency of the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association, and served as the National Basketball Commissioner for the Canadian School Sport Federation.
At the University of Winnipeg, after his coaching tenure, Wedlake served as Athletic Director until his retirement in April 2008 — a role in which he oversaw major growth in Wesmen athletics, community engagement, and facility development.
Bill’s impact has been recognized widely. He was inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005, and into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 2013 — cementing his place among the province’s most influential basketball builders.
The Bill Wedlake Scholarship Award is intended to carry forward his commitment to excellence, development, and opportunity — offering support to U of W student-athletes who not only show talent on the court, but also embody the values Bill stood for: leadership, dedication, and community-mindedness.
