The Dalhousie Tigers - Dalhousie University

Karin Maessen began her Dalhousie career in the 1976-77 season. A Halifax native from Queen Elizabeth High, Karin was a multi-talented athlete who excelled in many sports. In her first year, Karin led the Dalhousie Tigers women’s volleyball team to the AUAA championship title, defeating perennial champions, University of New Brunswick. Karin was named team MVP in volleyball and in track and field.  She won the Class of 55 Trophy as Dalhousie University’s outstanding female athlete; the only first year athlete to ever do this!

Karin competed for Dalhousie women’s volleyball for four more years – 1979-82, and 1983-84 and for Dalhousie track and field for two more years 1979-81.  She won the Class of ’55 Trophy in 1981 and 1982. She was chosen team MVP in women’s volleyball in 1977, 1980, 1981, and 1982.  Her leadership abilities were shown as she was appointed co-captain in 1979-82 and 1983-84. When asked about Karin, her teammates had said of her, “Super teammate to everyone…Sparkplug of the team, providing leadership, exceptional ability, and determination to help bring the team to its AUAA and CIAU victories…A consistent, dedicated player. She came through for us in every game…Everyone looked up to her as the team leader…She provides help whenever it is needed”.  In 1994 former women’s volleyball head coach Lois MacGregor had this to say of her former player, “She was a coach’s dream athlete as she gave 150% every time she stepped on the court – in practices and in games- a delight to coach, and a wonderful, caring compassionate person to know.”

Karin Maessen’s teams won many tournaments, and she was recognized with All-Star and MVP awards at university competitions in Calgary, Manitoba, York, Waterloo, Laval, Sherbrooke, Moncton, Fredericton, and also at the Dalhousie Volleyball Classic.  She garnered AUAA women’s volleyball All-Star awards in 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1984; AUAA league MVP in 1981 and 1982; and AUAA tournament MVP in 1980 and 1982.

Recognition also came Karin’s way from the CIAU as her opponents feared her as a player knowing that #12 would get that dig up no matter what and, if they happened to put a ball in her vicinity at the net, she would smash it down at them! For her outstanding play, she was chosen as a CIAU First Team All-Canadian in 1980, 1981 and 1982; as the CIAU Outstanding Player of the Year in 1982; as the CIAU national tournament MVP in 1982 when she led her team to the CIAU gold medal; and as a CIAU Tournament All-Star in 1980 and in 1984, leading team to a CIAU silver medal finish in 1984. “Karin’s athletic prowess will never be forgotten within the volleyball community,” said June Lumsden and Dave Jones of Volleyball Nova Scotia in 1994.

Karin’s Dalhousie track and field awards and accomplishments include in 1976-77 and 1980-81, three individual gold medals, two individual silver medals and relay team bronze (1980) and silver (1976); and CIAU medley relay bronze medal 1981. Her abilities and accomplishments as a Dalhousie athlete in both sports led former Athletic Director, Tony Martin, to say, in 1994, “Karin Maessen is arguably the finest athlete in the history of women’s sport at Dalhousie University and perhaps the Province of Nova Scotia.”

Outside of Dalhousie, Karin was a nine-year member of Canada’s National Women’s Volleyball Team and competed in three world championships; two Pan American Games, two World University Games and many tours in Central America, South America, North America, Europe, and Asia. She was a semi-pro player/coach for Nimes Perrier senior club team in France. She was named Female Senior Player of the Year by Basketball Nova Scotia in 1980 and a tournament All-Star at the Senior Nationals in 1981. She was the Sport Nova Scotia Female Athlete of the Year in 1981 and 1982, and in 1994 Karin was the first volleyball player inducted to the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.  She received the Dalhousie A.J. “Sandy” Young Award for contribution to Nova Scotia Sport in 1997. Karin Maessen also made her mark as a coach at Saint Mary’s University and University of Victoria; assistant coach at Dalhousie in 1985-86; head coach of the Nova Scotia Canada Games women’s team; and many Dalhousie Superskills Camps from 1976-1986.

Karin Maessen always gave her all. She was an unbelievable role model for young athletes, an inspiration to her teammates, coaches, and her competitors, and she was the favourite of fans around the world who were amazed by her spark and determination on the court.  Dr. A.J. “Sandy” Young, Jr., the noted sport historian and Dalhousie professor, said it best in 1994, “In my opinion, Karin Maessen is the best Nova Scotian all-round athlete in the modern era.”