Cape Breton University – Fabe-Ulous Milestone: CBU’s Women’s Basketball Coach Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The success of a coach, more often than not, is measured in wins and losses. But, although there have been plenty of victories under his leadership, that isn’t what makes Fabian McKenzie a champion.

As Fabe celebrates his silver anniversary as head coach of the CAPERS women’s basketball team he is being praised as the architect of a second-to-none program that has produced alumni who have not only reached lofty heights on the court but also in their lives after donning CAPER orange.

“I have learned so much from Fabe, and I use those life skills every single day,” says Cheryl (Pittman) MacInnis, a member of the 2006 team that captured an Atlantic University Sport (AUS) banner and a silver medal at the then CIS national championship tournament. “And I would like to thank him for everything he has done for me.”

Cheryl is one of several CAPERS alumni who reflected on the impact Fabe had – and continues to have – on them; not only as a basketball coach and teacher but also a friend and mentor, in a tribute video that was played prior to the 2024-25 team’s pre-season match-up with the Holland College Hurricanes on Saturday evening. Fabe, who has coached the CAPERS to six AUS women’s basketball titles along with silver and bronze medals at nationals, is one of the contributors who were honoured on CAPERS Weekend, a celebration of the golden anniversary of Cape Breton University.

Alison Keough, an All-Canadian and AUS most valuable player and rookie of the year, described a “full-circle moment” that came when she was a teenager. After being cut by Team Canada, Fabe was there to console and encourage her; guaranteeing that one day she would don her country’s colours on the international stage. As a symbol of the faith he had in her ability, the CBU mentor presented Alison – who ended up suiting up for stellar five-year career in CAPER orange – with a T-shirt emblazoned with the Dr. Seuss book Oh the Places You’ll Go. 

“He did keep his word. I did get there,” Alison says, proudly holding up the Team Canada jersey in the video – the one she wore as a member of the national development team in 2017 coached by McKenzie.

For Fabe, who has also coached and shared his knowledge of the sport at the provincial and national levels – including more than a decade in various roles with the Canada Basketball women’s program, the seeds were planted for his successful run as CAPERS women’s head coach many years ago when he was a CBU undergraduate student himself.

The basketball junkie served as manager of the CAPERS men’s team that captured the 1994 AUS banner. One of the key players in that championship line-up under former head coach Tim McGarrigle was All-Canadian sharpshooting guard , John Ryan, who is now the Director of Athletics and Recreation at his alma mater.

Ryan says he is not only a friend and colleague of Fabe’s, but also a fan of his achievements. “You have given outstanding service to Cape Breton University and the CAPERS,” he adds.

During those university years, Fabe met CAPERS assistant coach Doug Connors, who was the trainer for the women’s program at the time. When Fabe came back to CBU after completing his kinesiology degree at UNB and returned to the bench as an assistant coach with the men’s program, Doug was filling the same role with the women’s program.

“When the decision was made to elevate the women’s coaching position full-time, as opposed to part-time as it was previously, the job was posted,” says Doug. “Fabe was successful and I asked if I could remain as assistant coach, and the rest is history.”

Even though his understanding of the X’s and O’s of the sport are encyclopedic, which is important, the long-time CAPERS assistant coach offered that what makes him a great coach also applies to him as a person. “Fabe cares so much about the people who are associated with the program he has built, and the relationships that he forms with those people,” says Doug. “He is fiercely loyal to the people and players – past and present – who have been a part of it.”

“It was a great ride with lots of highs and lows, and a lot of laughs,” says Fabe, who is on a leave from the program this season due to health issues. He thanked CBU for an amazing 25 years, including former athletic director Dave MacLean, who was inducted into the CAPERS Hall of Fame on Friday at CBU’s Boardmore Playhouse. “Dave gave a young guy a chance to chase his dream,” says Fabe.

He also credited John Ryan and the CBU administration for their immense support during his time at CBU, especially over the last few months. “I am forever grateful for 25 years of guidance and assistance,” says Fabe. He also stressed that none of the success for the CAPERS women’s basketball program would have been possible without the student-athletes.

“Thanks to all of the young ladies who believed in something they didn’t fully understand until after they hung up their jersey for the last time,” he says.”Nothing is accomplished without your effort and dedication.”