Chantal Vallée, head coach of Lancer women’s basketball and Brett Lumley, associate head coach of Lancer track and field were recently honoured with prestigious awards in their respective sports. (University of Windsor)
By John-Paul Bonadonna
Two Windsor Lancers coaches have received prestigious provincial honours recognizing decades of leadership and their impact on student-athletes and their sports.
Brett Lumley, associate head coach of Lancer track and field, received the Andy Higgins Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ontario Coaching Excellence Awards Sept. 19 at BMO Field in Toronto.
Chantal Vallée, head coach of Lancer women’s basketball, was inducted into the Ontario Basketball Hall of Fame as part of its 2026 class.
For Lumley and Vallée, the honours prompted reflection on more than competitive achievements. Both pointed to the people and relationships that have shaped their coaching careers.
“Coaching has been a passion and a vocation that I have had the privilege to do for over 40 years,” says Lumley.
“I’m deeply honoured and humbled.”
Lumley has helped athletes earn more than 30 national university medals and 33 All-Canadian honours, along with numerous Ontario University Athletics (OUA) podium finishes. His athletes have gone on to represent Canada internationally, including at the Paralympic and Commonwealth Games. Lumley has served as a national team coach at multiple world championships and Paralympic Games, including Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
The nomination brought back memories of the people behind those accomplishments.
“I’m incredibly thankful to Austin Roth for nominating me and to the coaches and athletes who supported the nomination with such thoughtful letters,” he says.
“Their words brought back so many memories and reinforced that the true reward in coaching has always been the people I’ve had the privilege to work with.”
Sharing the ceremony with his family made the occasion especially meaningful.
“Coaching has given me so much over the years, but it has also meant time away from home for practices, competitions, and travel,” he says.
“Having my family there to experience this honour with me is something I will always appreciate.”
For Vallée, the Hall of Fame recognition prompted a similar reflection.
“When you’ve been coaching for as long as I have, a recognition like this is an opportunity to reflect on the journey – the players, coaches, colleagues, family and community who have been part of it – and less about it as an individual accomplishment,” she says.
“Those people and experiences have contributed to the coach and leader I’ve become.”
Vallée has spent more than two decades building the Lancer women’s basketball program into a national powerhouse, while also coaching in professional basketball and working with Canada Basketball.
“I owe everything to the players who trusted me and allowed me to coach them, to the people of Windsor who embraced and supported our program, and to the University of Windsor,” she reflects.
“The University gave me the opportunity more than 20 years ago to be part of something special.”