By Anthony Agostino
Ryerson athletics has lost one of its finest.
Nicole Garon, coach of the women’s squash team, resigned last week ager only one year at the helm. There was no front office controversy or team turmoil forcing Garon out. Instead, the 23-year-old will dedicate her time to running a fitness club she bought from her parents. The club is in the town of Clinton, 40 minutes north of Stratford.
“This is exactly what I want to do,” said Garon. “It helps having parents in the business, I’m very lucky that way.”
As a rookie coach, Garon used her squash experience and leadership ability to guide the women’s team. In recognition of her efforts, she was named the Ontario Women’s Interuniversity Athletic Association’s coach of the year.
Garon will miss her team. She developed close relationships with many of the players and became more than a coach to them — she became their friend.
“I had a lot of fond memories with my team. I’m going to miss them a great deal. It’s not a coach-plater relationship with a lot of them. They’re really good friends and they’ve supported me as much as I’ve supported them.”
The athletic department has decided not to replace Garon and instead will allow the men’s head coach, Don Lee, to manage both teams.
Garon thinks the team will do just fine under Lee and the leadership of returning players Kerris Turnbull and Janine Fawcett.
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