It was a moment of shock and sorrow, as the news of Humboldt basketball legend Kevin Grieman's death on February 24 was felt across not only the Humboldt area, but the province as well.

The longtime coach at Humboldt Collegiate Institute was still presently assisting Kerri Archibald with the Senior Girls team, but she says his impact on the game went far beyond that.

"He has been a mainstay with the HCI Senior Girls for quite a few years and before that he was with the Senior Boys," said Archibald. "The number of lives he has touched coaching basketball is enormous, as shown by the number of alumni who have been in touch with me to share some memories and express their condolences to the Grieman family."

Over 30 years of coaching the sport, Grieman led both teams to provincial championships, with the boys winning HOOPLA gold in 1996 and more recently, the girls, in 2011.

His wealth of experience and success in the game parlayed into an induction to the Humboldt Sports Hall of Fame in 2008

Grieman's passion for the game was unmatched, and that even portrayed to his romantic life, where he proposed to his wife Susan on Valentines Day in 1991 during halftime of a game.

As his health would become troublesome over the years, it was the assistance of Susan, as well as his daughters Kaitlyn and Haley that would play a large role in Kevin's ability to continue inspiring his players, according to Archibald.

"Its a huge tribute to his wife and family for continuing to allow him and helping him to get out to the gym and coach, because it was certainly not an easy task for him at the end. His passion for basketball never waned and he always had a big smile on his face no matter how much pain he was in."

Last June, Grieman was invited to be the guest speaker at the annual HCI Athletic Awards, where he told his story, leaving many in awe, including current students and staff at the school.

"(They) mentioned to me what a wonderful speech he gave and how glad they were that they could hear his story, especially now knowing that was the last chance they would get to hear it from him," Archibald stated.

As a fantastic ambassador for not only basketball, but the school as well, Grieman's legacy will eternally live on for future generations.

That legacy is also being etched in a memorial book by Archibald, which will then go to the Grieman family.

"It is a momento for them to remember what a wonderful man their dad was, but also to see how many lives he touched through the sport of basketball," she noted. "I have collected submissions from about 50 alumni and some coaches across the province who just wanted to share their sentiments and memories and talk about what an impact Kevin played in their lives."

A service was held on Tuesday for Grieman, with hundreds attending to reflect on a man who inspired them not only on the court, but off the court and in daily life as well.

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More with Archibald can be heard in an interview with Bolt FM's Clark Stork below.