BY JOHN DECOSTE
Kings County Advertiser/Register
After three years as Acadia’s athletic director, Brian Heaney is stepping down to return to the business world in the financial services sector, where he spent 21 years prior to returning to Acadia in 2007.
His resignation is effective Sept. 3. Heaney’s primary focus will shift to the philanthropic giving sector, with particular attention to the Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver markets.
In announcing Heaney’s departure Aug. 25, Acadia president Ray Ivany said Heaney “has overseen a number of changes within varsity athletics” during his tenure as AD, and “has positioned us well for future success.
“I want to thank Brian for the contribution he has made to varsity sport at Acadia, and wish him well in his future endeavors. I know he is looking forward to continuing his relationship with Acadia as a proud alumnus.”
Heaney says his contract as AD was not up, and his decision “has nothing to do with contract or timing.”
In his 21 years in the financial services sector, he “built a lot of friendships and relationships. Those embers continue to glow. There were people I wanted to team up with, and who wanted to team up with me.”
He admits the insurance industry “has always been a ‘sweet spot’ for me.” When this opportunity came along, “it seemed like a perfect way to leverage my talents and efforts over the next few years.”
Heaney admits he “fell in love with Wolfville the minute I first walked onto the campus” back in 1964.
“I’ve enjoyed the past three years, and the chance to return to a school that holds such fond memories for me, but this new opportunity seemed too good to pass up.”
While there is “never a good time to leave,” he is looking forward to spending time in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver, as well as in and near Halifax, where he and his wife, Lianna, will continue to make their home.
As for the legacy he will leave behind, Heaney says, “my efforts over the past three years were directed toward trying to do the best I could to grow and improve the athletic program at Acadia.”
While his departure is “good timing for me, it’s also good timing for Acadia to do new things with new people.”
Heaney feels he is leaving Acadia Athletics in relatively good shape, especially in its relationship with Atlantic University Sport. He believes Acadia has always had a strong coaching presence, and feels “the current roster of coaches all bring to the table talent, character, intellect and commitment to their student-athletes.” He takes particular pride in his role in the return of varsity swimming to Acadia.
“The swimming program will continue to grow and serve the Valley well,” he says, adding the decision to reinstate swimming “may turn out to be one of the best decisions Acadia has made.”
Heaney also feels he may have had a positive impact “on our coaches’ focusing positively on recruiting the highest quality student-athletes.
“All the Acadia varsity coaches have made major strides in this area over the past three years,” with “the best evidence of success” being the Axemen hockey program.
Coach Darren Burns “has taken a lead within the department in maintaining a commitment to build a top-five ranked team in the country,” while at the same time, “consistently attracting a top-calibre student-athlete.
“I consider it a privilege to have been able to spend the past three years back at Acadia. It causes me to want to remain involved where I can, in a very positive way, as a committed alumnus.”
jdecoste@kentvilleadvertiser.ca
