JUSTIN IRWIN
SPORTS REPORTER

An award-winning documentary about Humber’s hall of fame coach guiding a group of inner city youth to a national championship over rival Sheridan College put the Hawks in the national basketball consciousness a decade ago.

“It was a group of mostly young blacks that society, by and large, stereotypes more than any other group,” said Michael Betcherman, director of what came to be called “The Team”.

The CBC Sports film achieved an honorable mention at a U.S. film festival.

“What’s special about the 2001 team is that we won the championship on our home floor,” said former head coach Mike Katz. “It was a tremendous atmosphere.”

“We were just very small in terms of our front line, but we were a very deep team and we could shoot the ball, so we could beat anybody,” said Katz.

The Hawks have not won a national championship since.

Katz coached the men’s basketball team for 19 seasons (1984-2003), winning five national titles. He is now the head coach of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues.

The rivalry with Sheridan’s Bruins was at its highest point during the 2001 season. The Bruins beat Humber in the OCAA championship but Humber came back to beat Sheridan in the final with last second free throws.

“Going to Humber, we had to take on the role of good guy or bad guy like in any rivalry,” said Jeremy Walters, a shooting guard from the team. “It was a good test of will.”

The 2001 team featured OCAA first-team all-stars Cornell “Junior” Brown and Chris Bennet, and second-team all-stars Fitzroy Woolery and Walters.

“All those guys are like brothers to me,” said Walters.

After a late regular season double overtime loss to Sheridan, the film showed Walters yelling at his teammates and coaches. He was about to be kicked off the team until Katz gave him a second chance.

“Isn’t that what it’s about, giving people a second chance? People can grow from their mistakes and that’s what the coach’s job is about,” said Katz.

“In Jeremy’s case, he was truly remorseful.”

Walters is now a delivery driver for Toronto housing and coaches youth basketball in Newmarket.

“Seeing kids with that drive, I try to channel their energy for the best, so they can become better players and better people.”