THE CALGARY SURGE ANNOUNCE THE RETURN OF THEIR BASKETBALL OPERATIONS LEADERSHIP
March 5, 2024 – The Calgary Surge announced the return of the team’s basketball operations leadership on Tuesday: General Manager - Shane James, Assistant General Manager - Michael Girling, and Senior Advisor - Steve Konchalski.
“We are delighted to welcome Shane, Mike, and Steve back to the Calgary Surge. Their return underscores our dedication to assembling a team of exceptional talent and reinforces our mission to bring a CEBL Championship to the city of Calgary,” said Dylan Howe, Calgary Surge Vice President.
Shane James served as the team’s General Manager in their inaugural season and played a leading role in assembling a roster that led the franchise to the 2023 CEBL Championship Final. James is a committed educator and champion of youth basketball. As the Founder and Director of the Under Armour Canada Elite AAU basketball program, he has helped develop some of Canada’s brightest NBA talent. He was also the Assistant General Manager of the CEBL’s Guelph Nighthawks for two seasons, before the franchise relocated to Calgary in October 2022.
“I am honoured and excited to rejoin the Calgary Surge after a very successful inaugural campaign. This is a first-class organization, and I am proud to be a part of it,” said Calgary Surge General Manager, Shane James. “I am eager to get back to work and continue what we started in building a championship culture.”
Steve “Coach K” Konchalski served as the team’s Senior Advisor in their inaugural season. Konchalski served as the head coach of the St. Francis Xavier University men’s basketball team from 1975 to 2021. During his tenure at StFX, he led the X-Men to 13 National Tournament appearances, including three National Championships in 1993, 2000, and 2001. He ended his 46-year coaching career at StFX with 919 career victories in 1495 games, making him the most winningest coach in Canadian university basketball history.
Michael Girling served as the team’s Assistant General Manager in 2023. Previously, Girling spent four seasons with the CEBL’s Guelph Nighthawks, serving as Assistant Coach and Director of Basketball Operations. He spent an additional year in professional basketball as the Lead Assistant Coach for the KW Titans of the National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC). He has been a coach at the U SPORTS level for several years and is currently serving as the Lead Assistant Coach for the women’s basketball program at the University of Guelph.
Fans can now purchase tickets to the team’s season opener at the Scotiabank Saddledome at www.calgarysurge.ca/surge2thedome.
About the Calgary Surge
The Calgary Surge tipped off their inaugural season at WinSport Event Centre in May 2023, after originating the Guelph Nighthawks, one of the founding members of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). From day one, the Surge have been committed to being the Home Team for Calgary and a space where everyone is welcome.
The Calgary Surge are active members of the community and have participated in a few hundred events (and counting) around the city that connect the team with diverse communities through sort and entertainment. In their inaugural season, the Surge finished 1st overall in the Western Conference and were crowned Western Conference Champions in the playoffs. For more information, visit www.calgarysurge.ca.
About the Canadian Elite Basketball League
A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 73% of its 2023 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Fourteen players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.
Media Contacts:
Hilary Fontus
Manager, Communications
Calgary Surge
514-918-7826
Meg Walsh
Champion Communications
403-389-1088