The Sea-Hawks men’s basketball program is entering a new chapter under head coach Igor Stjepanovic.
Mr. Stjepanovic’s journey to Memorial University has been shaped by a lifelong passion for the game and a commitment to building strong team cultures.
He has spent more than a decade developing his coaching career, with the goal of leading a U SPORTS program.
In this Q&A, he discusses his basketball roots, coaching philosophy, priorities for the Sea-Hawks and his vision for a program that brings together students, alumni and communities across Newfoundland and Labrador.
MC: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your journey in basketball?
IS: My family is originally from the former Yugoslavia, and I was born in Dortmund, Germany.
My family moved to Windsor, Ontario when I was five years old. I am fluent in Serbian/Bosnian.
Basketball has been the biggest part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I began coaching at a young age.
MC: What attracted you to Memorial University and the opportunity to lead the Sea-Hawks men’s basketball program?
IS: Since beginning my coaching career in 2014, becoming a U SPORTS head coach has been a goal of mine.
I’ve been fortunate to learn from several great mentors who helped me along the way.
“My coaching philosophy is built around relationships.”
The opportunity to lead my own program at Memorial felt like the natural next step in my career and a challenge I was excited to embrace.
MC: How would you describe your coaching philosophy, and what can players and fans expect?
IS: My coaching philosophy is built around relationships, whether that’s with our players, staff, alumni, fans or anyone connected to the program.
Fans can expect a passionate coach and a Sea-Hawks team that plays an exciting, unselfish brand of basketball that people will enjoy watching.
MC: What lessons have you learned from coaching that you will bring to Memorial?
IS: Everything starts with good people, and that’s been a common denominator throughout my experiences winning a Canadian Elite Basketball League championship and an Atlantic University Sport conference championship.
Recruiting people who share our values and are committed to something bigger than themselves will be a top priority.
MC: What are your priorities for building a competitive team and establishing a strong team culture?
Recruiting and player development will be essential to building a consistently competitive program.
We want to bring in student-athletes who can grow individually and collectively.
Culture is built every day through our actions, communication and how we represent Memorial, whether we’re at home, on the road or in the community.
MC: University basketball involves balancing the demands of competition with academics and student life. How do you approach supporting the development of student-athletes both on and off the court?
IS: Our responsibility goes beyond basketball and we want to help our student-athletes grow into individuals who are prepared for life after university.
“Nothing would make me happier than seeing more and more people in the stands supporting us.”
That starts with building strong relationships, supporting them academically and personally, and creating an environment where they feel valued and challenged to reach their full potential.
MC: What role do you hope the Sea-Hawks men’s basketball team will play in bringing students, alumni and the wider Newfoundland and Labrador community together?
IS: I want the Sea-Hawks to be a source of pride for Memorial and the entire Newfoundland and Labrador community, giving people something to rally around and feel connected to.
Basketball has a unique ability to bring people together, and we want to build a program that does exactly that.
MC: As you look ahead to your first season at Memorial, what are you most excited about and what would you like fans to know about the future of Sea-Hawks men’s basketball?
IS: I’m most excited to build a team that plays a brand of basketball our alumni and fans can be proud of.
Nothing would make me happier than seeing more and more people in the stands supporting us.
Student admission is free, and I hope we can continue to grow that support while building a program the Memorial community is excited about for years to come.
Support your Sea-Hawks!
Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.
Students who present a valid student ID will be admitted free to all games this season.
