(Halifax, N.S.) - Dalhousie University Director of Varsity Athletics Tim Maloney is pleased to announce that Tigers men’s basketball head coach Rick Plato’s contract has been extended through to the 2020-21 season.

Plato recently finished his third season as head coach and in that time he has led the Tigers to two consecutive AUS championship titles and a fourth place finish at last year’s CIS championship.

“We are very pleased to announce that Rick will continue to lead our men’s basketball program,” says Maloney.  “The positive impact he has had on our program has been immediate and transformational.”

The AUS coach of the year this past season, Plato came to the Tigers in 2013 after 25 years with the CCAA’s Mount Saint Vincent, leading the Mystics to 13 ACAA conference titles at 14 CCAA championship appearances, capturing silver in 2008 and bronze in 1992. He retired from teaching after a 32-year career in the Halifax Regional School Board (HRSB) that same year.

A standout player for the Saint Mary’s Huskies (1976-81), Plato has two CIAU (now CIS) championships under his belt. He was Saint Mary’s male athlete of the year in 1981 and was inducted to their Sport Hall of Fame in 2003 along with his fellow teammates from the 1977-78 season.

“I’m honoured to be continuing my coaching career here at Dalhousie,” says Plato. “I’m pleased with the direction we are heading and I look forward to the next five years with great enthusiasm and expectations as we look to build on our recent success.”

The Tigers host the 2017 CIS Final 8 Men’s Basketball Championship at the Scotiabank Centre, March 9-12, 2017.