For generations of Glenlawn Collegiate basketball players, Bryan Kornberger has been more than a coach.
After more than 40 years of dedication, mentoring countless student-athletes, the longtime teacher and coach was recently inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame in the builder category.
The Hall of Fame honour recognizes his extraordinary coaching career. Kornberger has spent over four decades years as head coach of the Glenlawn Lions varsity girls’ basketball team, leading the program to 19 provincial Final Four appearances, 12 provincial championship game appearances and eight MHSAA AAAA provincial championships. He also coached Team Manitoba 10 times, winning two medals, including a gold medal in 1991.
It’s a resume that reads more like a bucket list.
When Kornberger speaks about the accomplishments, he embodies a team-first attitude with every word, always quick to credit the many people whose paths have entwined with his.
“It’s a team award,” Kornberger said, comparing his induction as a coach to the Dakota Lancers team he played on in high school being inducted as a team years ago. “I look at them exactly the same way.”
Reflecting on the induction ceremony, he said he was struck by “how fortunate I was to be surrounded by great people all across the board.”
“I was overwhelmed with thankfulness,” he said.
Asked what former students meant to him, Kornberger's answer was immediate.
“They've meant everything,” he said. “I find that the older you get, the more you realize it’s always been about the people. That’s what stands the test of time.
“To be honest with you, nobody really gives two hoots who won the championship so many years ago. But seeing what happens with people, how their lives played out, and having the chance to reminisce once in a while means everything.”
Besides his student-athletes, Kornberger was sure to portion out credit to just about everyone he ever worked with: families, coaches, school administrators, teachers, and of course, custodians (“You can't run a program without the custodians in your corner”), as well as all those in the junior high schools that “would feed into our school and gave our students such an advantage by teaching them so well.”
The Hall of Fame induction meant all that much more for Kornberger because of the man who nominated him.
Dale Bradshaw, himself a Hall of Fame member and Kornberger’s high school basketball coach, had put his name forth for the ballot.
Despite significant health challenges, Bradshaw mustered up his strength to walk up on stage to introduce Kornberger for his induction ceremony. He listened to Kornberger speak, then had to leave immediately afterward.
“That’s what I call loyalty,” Kornberger said.
Again and again, Kornberger pointed to the community around him, and when he spoke about himself, it was to express his gratitude.
“I just feel like I've been the luckiest person,” he said. “It's been a great run. I've enjoyed it so much.”
Beyond wins and championships, generations of students have known Kornberger as a coach whose genuine warmth, humility and care for others has left a lasting impact far beyond the basketball court.
Congratulations, coach.
