Mike Rao begins his sixth season as head coach of the Brock women’s basketball team.
From Welland Ont, Rao began his career with Welland Minor Basketball, which led to 38 years of coaching the basketball teams at Notre Dame College School. Rao joined the Brock Badgers Men’s basketball team staff as an Assistant Coach in 2016 until Head Coach Charles Kissi’s departure for the Raptors 905 in 2018.
Rao played a key role during the 2017-18 season as the men’s team made it to the U SPORTS National Championships for the first time in 10 years. He joined the Guelph Nighthawks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League for their 2020 summer season as the Lead Assistant Coach under Coach Kissi.
In his first campaign as Head coach of the Brock Women Program, he led the Badgers to their first playoff win since 2012.
In just his second season at the helm of the program, his team won the OUA Championship (Critelli Cup) and placed 2nd at the U SPORTS National Championship in Ottawa. His team was selected OUA Team of the Year in 2019-20.
The same season, Rao was recognized by his peers earning Women’s Coach of the Year for both U SPORTS and the OUA. He was also honoured with the Ontario University Athletics Coach of the Year award.
Mike Rao is a local alumnus from Niagara College and Brock University graduating with a Business Diploma, Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Education.
