Sven Stammberger left Dalhousie last season as a two-time AUS champion, a first-team AUS all-star, and the team’s leading scorer as a fifth-year senior.
He was also the only basketball player among the Top 8 Academic All-Canadians for 2017-18, as he worked toward an M.B.A.
“He left Dalhousie and its basketball program a better place than he found it thanks to his work ethic, commitment, determination and humility,” said Tigers head coach Rick Plato in a statement to U Sports.
But Stammberger’s career got off to a slow start.
He came to Dalhousie as a red shirt, forced to sit out the majority of his freshman season due to a broken hand.
Stammberger scored a total of four points in 30 minutes that year, spread over eight games.
In every season afterward he made his presence felt.
“He was instrumental in three AUS championship titles, three consecutive trips to the U Sports national tournament, including two final four appearances and Dalhousie’s first-ever men’s basketball medal,” said Plato.
Stammberger’s scoring average climbed steadily, peaking at 18.4 points per game as a senior. He also led the Tigers in rebounds per game with 8.2.
An efficient 6-foot-6 forward who shot 52 per cent from the field as a senior, Stammberger was also a threat from deep, averaging 40.3 per cent that season.
His impact off the court is also considerable.
Stammberger heavily involved in the Halifax community, volunteering for Dalhousie’s Special Tigers program, among other causes.
The Special Tigers program connects children and teens with cognitive disabilities to Dalhousie athletes through sports like basketball, soccer and badminton.
Stammberger and the other Academic All-Canadians were honoured Jan. 29 at Rideau Hall in Ottawa with a reception hosted by Governor General Juliee Payette.
Student-athletes achieve Academic All-Canadian status after maintaining an average of at least 80 per cent over the academic year while playing for one or more university varsity teams.
This year’s other Academic All-Canadians were Ed Ilnickig (University of Alberta, football), Kate Pexman (University of Calgary, volleyball), Nick Vanin (Western University, football), Alina Dormann (University of Toronto, volleyball), Amelie Auge (University of Sherbrooke, track and field,) and Ciera Disipio (Cape Breton University, soccer).
