From Victoria, British Columbia Ryan Vetrie is in his eighth year as Head Coach of the Algoma Thunderbirds women’s basketball program.
Vetrie played college ball in the OCAA as point guard with the Algoma Thunderbirds. As a player, he was a key contributor to the success of the men’s Thunderbirds team during the 2007-08 silver medal season, and earned Most Valuable Player honours in 2008-09. Vetrie also competed in the U Sports with the Laurentian University Voyageurs and the University of Victoria Vikes.
After graduating from Algoma University with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography, Vetrie began his coaching career with the Sir James Dunn High School Eagles' senior boys' basketball team in 2009-10. He was also the Assistant Coach of the 2009-10 Thunderbirds men’s basketball team. He served as Assistant Coach for one season before earning the title of Head Coach of the women’s program.
In only his second full season behind the bench with the Algoma Thunderbirds, Vetrie improved upon the Thunderbirds fifth place West Division finish in 2010 with a 15-3 record in 2011-12 and a first place 16-2 record in 2012-13. Before the Thunderbirds made the big transition from the OCAA to the OUA in the 2013 season, Vetrie earned top honours as West Region OCAA Coach of the Year in 2011-12 and in 2012-13.
In 2016, Vetrie made headlines across Canada when his newcomer U Sports team downed the defending CIS Champions, the Carleton Ravens, 68-57. Algoma’s defeat was named one of the top 10 moments in the OUA in 2016 and was the only loss handed to the Ravens during their regular season.
