Ulster Elks
The Ulster Elks are a men's basketball team from Northern Ireland that were based at Ulster University. They formerly played in the Irish Superleague from 2007 to 2011.
History
The University of Ulster at Jordanstown Men's Basketball Club was founded in 1984. The club effectively evolved from the Ulster Polytechnic Club, which was in existence in advance of the Ulster Polytechnics transition to University status.
The Ulster Polytechnic Club had a hugely successful history with British Polytechnic titles won in the late 70s and early 80s Senior Irish international players, John Kennedy, Leo McColgan, Brendan Rushe, Brendan Kennedy, Paul Kennedy, Barney Ball, Paul 'Rocky' Cairns and Eugene Young all contributed to the successful run of titles. Equally the coaching and management staff of Walter Bleakley (School of Education and Ex Irish Senior International point guard) and Billy Ingram (Ex Sports Studies and National League referee) provided the structure and support for the basketball programmes on offer.
The UUJ also boasts a range of Irish College titles in the 80s with Fergus Donnelly, Dee McGrath and Jas Mooney providing the backbone of the team. The 90s saw the inclusion of UUJ in the Irish Varsity Championships and the club dominated in this forum with five titles (1991, 1992, 1994, 1995 & 1997) over a period of seven years. At this time, UUJ was coached by Deirdre Brennan (School of Health Sciences and Ex Irish Senior International) and had the services of Gareth Maguire (the youngest and most capped Irish Senior Men's International), Adrian Fulton (Irish Senior International), Trevor Smullen (Irish Senior International), Gary Connolly, Paul Rigby and John Hurson.
The club's history and tradition has made it one of the most successful clubs at the University. In 2005, the club made its first ever entry to Nation basketball competition by entering Basketball Ireland's men's Division I league and cup. In 2007, the Elks were awarded a Superleague licence to join the top-level basketball league in the country.[1] In 2011, the Elks returned to the Division I league where they played for a further two seasons before pulling out of senior competition in 2013.