RRC Basketball Veteran Mark Ridd continues to lead by example
By Jake Maurice
While shooting hoops at Red River College, Mark Ridd was spotted by the right person at the right time.
Cole Skinner — RRC’s assistant athletic director at the time — saw Ridd on the court and remembered competing against him in other leagues. Skinner got Ridd in contact with Rebels head coach Scott Kirkpatrick.
Kirkpatrick and Ridd had a previous relationship from Ridd’s days at Oak Park High School, and it didn’t take long before the Electrical Engineering student was convinced to join the Rebels basketball team.
It was a perfect match: Ridd helped guide the Rebels to back-to-back MCAC championships in 2018 and 2019. He was named team MVP and an all-conference team member last season, but Ridd said his team was filled with talent and he was proud to be a part of it.
“Between everyone working hard in practice, and our coaches going the extra mile all year then we created something really special,” said Ridd. “I hope to be able to accomplish that again this year with our great group of guys.”
Right now, the Rebels men’s basketball team looks like favourites to repeat as MCAC champions. The team sports a 9-0 record, has won all their games by 10 or more points, and has five of the top ten MCAC scorers.
Ridd, while not as dominant as he was last season, is still a major factor in this team’s success. He uses his experience to teach his teammates how to play in the MCAC.
“I feel that it’s important to be a supportive teammate, to help [my teammate’s] development as best I can, and to strive for greatness as a team,” Ridd said. “I’ve found our team is full of capable basketball players, and they pick things up rather quickly.”
Ridd says he wants to pass on the lessons he has learned including managing schoolwork, so he and his teammates can put all their effort into the games. He also wants them to learn the value of hard work, perseverance, and most importantly teamwork.
“In basketball, it’s important to help others around you get better so the team can perform to the best of its ability,” Ridd said.
In his four years of college basketball, Ridd said he continues to learn every day.
“I have of course learned a lot about this from my teammates over the years, this year being no exception.”
When Ridd’s time ends at RRC, he said he plans to continue to be a part of the basketball community whether it be as a player or coach — even if it’s playing pick-up basketball in his driveway.
After playing his college years at RRC, Ridd said he intends to cheer on future Rebels teams.
