Mention Ketrzynski and astute followers of the sport will tell you the family name represents the past and, undoubtedly, a bright future in Canadian volleyball.

Alexander Ketrzynski provided great pride and joy for fans in the early 1980s when he helped Canada earn its best finish in Summer Olympics history, and now there is great optimism one, if not all, of his three sons will follow in his footsteps and represent this country on the world stage in the not too distant future.

The great run of international successes for Alexander Ketrzynski began at the 1983 World University Games in Edmonton. A highlight at those Games that attracted 2,400 athletes from 73 countries and was graced by Prince Charles and Princess Diana, was this country’s volleyball team.

After defeating China, Japan and Italy in the preliminary round, Canada defeated Korea in the semi-finals 3-0, before losing to Cuba 3-1 in the gold medal match before 13,000 boisterous fans at the Edmonton Coliseum. It was the largest crowd to ever attend a volleyball match in Canada.

Ketrzynski’s passion for volleyball now flows through the veins of his sons, Trent, Xander and Cole, who decided to make Mississauga Pakmen their home club, despite having to regularly make the lengthy drive from east Toronto.