When Logan Biccum joined the Brandon University women’s basketball team, it was unclear what kind of player she would become.
Now, six years later, it is hard to imagine the female Bobcats hoops squad without the daughter of Denise and Scott Biccum. She has developed into one of the team’s top scorers and a leader as its co-captain.
“I am extremely proud of Logan and what she has been able to accomplish as a Bobcat,” BU head women’s basketball coach Novell Thomas said. “When she started six years ago, we weren’t sure if she would become a formidable player and she has exceeded our expectations.”
The 5-foot-8 guard is third on the team in scoring with an 8.3 points per game average. Biccum also contributes 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest. When asked what has made Biccum effective this season, Thomas said it is her ability to score.
The head coach praised her work ethic. He said it is what he has enjoyed about having Biccum in the program. Thomas also emphasized that Biccum leads by her actions.
“She has come an incredibly long way,” he said. “When she first arrived, she wasn’t the tallest, strongest, fastest, most elusive of players. Because of her work ethic, she has made these shortcomings moot points.”
Juggling academics, a social life, and competing in the competitive Canada West Conference at the U Sports level, the highest in Canadian university athletics, requires sacrifices. Biccum said a determined mindset and patience has kept her playing for six seasons at BU.
“I was determined to be a threat on the court during my time as a Bobcat but knew it wasn’t going to happen overnight,” she said. “I worked hard each day, and with that I saw improvements but was never satisfied as I knew I could always get better.”
Biccum was able to develop her game with family and long-time friends cheering her on.
“I enjoyed the support that came with playing so close to home as my family, friends and people in the community could watch our home games,” she said. “I felt this support very much during my years as a Bobcat, especially from my family. They are the first to hear about the ups and downs and have provided so much encouragement over the years, so I cannot thank them enough.”
In her first season out of Virden Collegiate Institute, Biccum redshirted. She practiced with the team but did not play in games. Redshirting allows players to preserve their five seasons of eligibility and gives them time to adjust to the rigors of post-secondary athletics and university life without the pressure of competing in games. Due to the redshirt year, Biccum is now in her sixth season with the Bobcats. Thomas said he has never had a player in his program as long.
This spring Biccum will graduate with a physical education degree. She plans to pursue physiotherapy studies in the fall of 2020. There is no doubt the Bobcats will miss Biccum and vice versa.
“What I am going to miss is how often I get to play basketball,” she said. “I love competing in conference games as well as in practices, so it will be a big change not being able to do this regularly at the (U Sports) level. I will also miss the many laughs that come along with being a part of a team.”
