Peter McAleenan honoured at Dairy Town Classic

It was a special night for basketball fans at the Dairytown Classic Tournament on Thursday, January 30th in Sussex, New Brunswick. Long-time coach and basketball contributor, Peter McAleenan, was honoured in a special ceremony announcing the traditional Sonic Dome being officially named the "Peter McAleenan Gymnasium". 

Here is a list of Peter's contributions to the sport of basketball in his community (provided by the organizing committee):

Peter McAleenan’s contribution to the growth and development of sport in Greater Sussex through his involvement at the local, provincial, and national level: Jan. 30, 2020 presentation
 

• Coach Sussex Regional High School Men’s Sonics 1974-1991
• Encouraged players to play Provincial basketball during off season to improve skills
• Formed Sussex Suns Senior Men’s Basketball team 1975
• Founding member Sussex mini basketball program 1975
• Instructor Basketball New Brunswick Levels I, II, III 1975-2009
• Assistant coach New Brunswick Junior National men’s team 1981 at Summer Games
• Sussex Sonic Men’s AA Provincial Champions 1982, 1984
• Founding member Sussex Dairy Town Classic Basketball Tournament 1986
• Coach Sussex Midget team 2^nd place team 1986
• Founding member Sussex Dairy Town Classic summer basketball camps 1988
• Founding member Dairy Dunkers and Dairy Town Classic basketball clinics 1989
• Sussex Sonic Men’s AAA Provincial Champions 1988 and 1991
• Coach Sussex Men’s Sonics Dairy Town Classic Champions 1990, 1991
• Head Coach Basketball New Brunswick Junior Men’s team 1991
• Coach Sussex Stars mini girls 1991-1993
• Encouraged co-ed format for Dairy Town Classic Basketball Tournament 1992
• Co-Coach Sussex Junior High Stingers Girls 1993-1995
• Coach Comet A team 3^rd place 1994
• Co-Coach Sussex Stingers Girls Junior High Provincial AA Champions 1994, 1995
• Coach Sussex Midget A Provincial Champions 1995
• Coach Sussex Regional High School Lady Sonics 1995-1999
• Coach Midget AA Provincial Champions 1997
• Founding member Basketball Sussex Team Camp
• Coach Sussex Lady Sonics AA Provincial Champions 1998, 1999
• Coach Sussex Regional High School JV boys 2001-2002
• Coach Midget AAA Boys Champions 2002
• Assistant coach Sussex Regional High School Lady Sonics 2005-2014
• Assistant Coach Sussex Regional High Lady Sonics Dairy Town Champions 2013
• Continues to coach with Mark Muscroft from mini to Middle School and this year JV boy

Personal Awards:

• Basketball New Brunswick Level I, II, III Coaching Certification 1975
• Jack MacKenzie Memorial Award Coal Bowl Classic 1988
• NBIAA Coach of the Year 1988
• Town of Sussex Certificate of Appreciation for DTC Volunteer Work 1990
• Basketball New Brunswick Coach’s Award 1991
• Basketball New Brunswick Coach of the Year Award 1995-1996
• Basketball New Brunswick Coach’s Award 1998-1999
• Basketball New Brunswick Life Member 2004
• Town of Sussex Merit Award for Contribution to the Province of N. B. 2008
• 2014 Induction into Greater Sussex Wall of Fame
• Developed a strong basketball program in Sussex that starts at the mini level and continues through University and beyond.  Sussex is a consistent contender for Provincial banners at all    levels.  Many former players played at the university level, one internationally, many have gone on to coach at the mini to high school levels, one is a referee, several are coaching at the University level, many now are on the Dairy Town Classic Committee, and many are ready and willing to give back to the Sussex Community as volunteers when needed.

Coach, assistant coach, mentor, instructor of basketball at the mini, midget, middle school boys, middle school girls, high school JV and Varsity boys, high school Varsity girls, Provincial men’s and clinician levels.

Personal qualities – leadership, character, sportsmanship, contributions to sport:
 

• Leadership through coaching/mentoring/instructing at all levels of basketball
• Encouraged involvement in the sport at the player, coach, manager, minor official, and official levels.  Asked players to give back to the sport when they were finished playing.  Explained the importance of participating in summer league play and to trying out for Basketball New Brunswick Provincial teams in order to improve the quality of their game.
• Stressed sportsmanship and respect for opposing teams and officials by players, coaches, and parents.  Expected consideration for the opposition, whether on the winning or losing side.
• Developed a strong basketball program in Sussex that starts at the mini level and continues through University and beyond.  Sussex is a consistent contender for Provincial banners at all levels.  Many former players played at the university level, one is currently playing internationally, many have gone on to coach at the mini to high school levels, one is a referee, several are coaching at the University level, many now are on the Dairy Town Classic Committee, and many are ready and willing to give back to the Sussex Community as volunteers when needed.