On the night of Oct. 11, Rotary Stadium played host to the 2025 University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) Cascades Hall of Fame class. Former basketball player Jamie Vaughan, surrounded by friends, family, and fellow inductees, was cemented into the university’s athletic history. The ceremony celebrated Vaughan’s remarkable achievements and the indelible mark he left on UFV’s basketball program.
An illustrious career
Vaughan’s journey with UFV began in 2003 upon transferring from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and Northwest University in Washington state. Immediately he proved to be a game-changer for the Cascades. In his debut season, he played a pivotal role in the team’s 2004 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national championship win, earning MVP honours at the tournament.
Coming off a strong start, Vaughan faced a considerable setback: an untimely injury that forced him to miss the entire 2004-05 season. Vaughan responded to the adversity in the only way he knew how: by putting his head down and getting to work. He returned to the floor better than prior to his injury, responding with a campaign that saw him named the CCAA’s national men’s basketball player of the year.
Pat Lee, Vaughan’s former coach at UFV, spoke highly about his former player’s qualities. Lee described an innate work ethic and attention to detail that is not often seen replicated. Coupled with leadership abilities that were reflected in both Vaughan’s words and actions, Lee saw a unique collection of traits in the young athlete.
“What set Jamie apart wasn’t just his skill on the court, but his character off it,” Lee remarked.
In his last year as a Cascade, Vaughan’s presence continued to prove instrumental to the team’s success. Upon being promoted to the U Sports level in the 2006-07 campaign, Vaughan guided the unit as a leader while continuing to excel individually, pouring in 16.6 points on and 7.1 rebounds per night.
Reflecting on his time at UFV, Vaughan emphasized the value of the lessons learned through his time on the court that have carried into his post-basketball endeavours.
“[Athletics] has taught me everything,” Vaughan said. “There’s no way I’d be where I am from a career standpoint without it.”
Now a successful business owner in property management, Vaughan credits his sports background for equipping him with the competencies to handle high-pressure situations and remain unshaken in the face of hardship.
Building at home
Lee highlighted the significance of Vaughan’s decision to play locally. “We talked about what it means to be an athlete in your area,” Lee recalled. He expressed how this choice allowed Vaughan to influence his younger brothers’ lives and be present in his community.
In an era of sport where it has been normalized for athletes to frequently move between programs and cities in search of glory, Jamie’s story stands as a powerful counter-narrative. Lee’s words shed light on an often overlooked consideration in the rapidly evolving state of college sports in Canada and in the United States — the profound impact one can have by choosing to invest and build in their hometown region.
This legacy of local influence continues to resonate years later, particularly with Clay Kurtz, Vaughan’s cousin and current player for UFV men’s basketball. Kurtz shared his perspective on following in his close relative’s footsteps, “Knowing that he’s being honoured for his past successes is incredibly motivating for me, especially as I now find myself playing for the same school nearly 20 years later.”
For Kurtz, wearing the same number 10 jersey that Vaughan once donned is more than just a coincidence — it’s a symbol of continuity and aspiration. “I feel a strong desire to help rebuild the program to that level of success again,” Kurtz explained. “It symbolizes not just our bond, but also the legacy of hard work and excellence that I strive to uphold on the court.”
Vaughan’s advice to young athletes
When asked what counsel he would offer to the upcoming generation of players, Vaughan affirmed the importance of commitment and perseverance. “There’s a lot that’s outside of your control,” he noted. “But you can control your attitude, how you respond to the good and to the bad, and ultimately you control how hard you work.”
He encourages young athletes to focus on continual improvement, setting high standards for themselves, and being willing to put in the extra hours to achieve their goals.
As Jamie Vaughan’s name is enshrined in the UFV Hall of Fame, his legacy serves as a powerful and encouraging testament to the value of putting down roots, working relentlessly, and building something special where your feet stand.
