Voices from the gym
From former players, parents, and coaches who’ve seen Tim’s impact up close.
Kathy Spurr
Former Senior Girls Basketball Coach, Halifax Grammar School (1998–2013)
“Tim is among the very best at teaching fundamentals while building confidence, teamwork and a genuine love for the game.”
Tim is a brilliant coach who brings out the best in his players. My son thrived under his guidance in high school, and I’ve seen the same expertise, passion and leadership while co-coaching youth programs with him.
Kathy is a former Canadian National Team player and pro in Germany’s Bundesliga, and an All-Canadian at Dalhousie. She’s been inducted into the Nova Scotia, Dalhousie and Cape Breton Sports Halls of Fame, and was named one of U SPORTS’ Top 100 women’s basketball players of the century.
Lydell Husbands
Former Athlete Halifax Grammar School
Now playing at Dalhousie University, Team Captain & MVP
“Three seasons with Coach Tim completely transformed my game, confidence, and life.”
He ran our high school program with the standards and structure of a university team, so my jump to Dal felt seamless. He taught me how to prepare, how to work, and how to carry myself on and off the court. I’ll always be grateful for the lessons I learned from him.
Sven Stammberger
Halifax Grammar School alumnus, Dalhousie University
AUS First Team All-Star · U SPORTS All-Canadian
“He prepared me for the next level, skill development and reading the game.”
Sven Stammberger is one of the most accomplished players in Atlantic University Sport, recognized nationally for performance, leadership, academics, and sportsmanship. A former player of Coach McGarrigle’s, he credits Tim with sharpening both his skill development and his ability to read the game, building a foundation he kept growing year after year.
U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian
AUS First Team All-Star
3x U SPORTS Final 8 Player of the Game
U SPORTS Top-8 Academic All-Canadian
Ken Shields Community Service Award
Campbell Colpitts
Halifax Grammar School alumnus
Head Coach, Sackville High School · Former BNS Gold Medalist
“No coach has shaped my basketball journey and character more than Tim.”
In 20 years around great coaches in this province - as a player and as a coach - no one has had a bigger impact on me than Tim McGarrigle. His basketball knowledge and teaching are second to none, and I’ve relied on them throughout my university career and now as a provincial team coach. But what sets Tim apart is how he motivates you and teaches you how to never have a bad day. He pushes you to become a better player and a better person. He taught me that winning is a by-product of working hard and playing the right way - a lesson I pass on to my players and students every day. I honestly wish I was still playing for him; he’s a major reason I got into coaching and education in the first place - to have the kind of impact he had on me.
Gabe Davignon
Halifax Grammar School alumnus
Plays for Acadia University
“Those early mornings, just me and coach, taught me how to work in silence and perform with everyone watching.”
Gabe Davignon plays at Acadia and credits Coach McGarrigle with helping him make the leap from high school to university basketball through team-first habits, skill development, and relentless early-morning work.
Kyle Munro
Halifax Grammar School alumnus
Plays for Acadia
“Coach McGarrigle saw potential in me before I did.”
Coach McGarrigle saw potential in me before I saw it in myself. Since Grade 10, he coached and treated me like a university athlete, and his guidance has shaped not only the player I am today, but the one I’m still working to become. In many ways, my play style is a reflection of the knowledge he passed on to me.