Black excellence in motion: Randall Mongard’s journey of resilience and growth

For first-year Kodiaks men’s basketball player Randall Mongard (Open Studies, Laval, Que.), Black excellence is not just a phrase, it’s a mindset.

“Black excellence means pushing myself,” he explains. “Being resilient and knowing I belong in every space I step into and not feeling small around people.” 

That belief has shaped his journey from Laval to Lethbridge Polytechnic and continues to fuel his growth both on and off the court.

Building confidence away from home

Mongard’s path to the Kodiaks began long before he stepped into the Val Matteotti Gymnasium. After growing up in Quebec, he spent two years playing for United Prep Canada in Calgary. Living away from home for the first time, his coach welcomed him into his home and family, taught him valuable life lessons and became a father figure.

The experience wasn’t always easy, but it was transformative. Prep basketball helped him build confidence and become more comfortable in his game before arriving in Lethbridge. It also forced him to grow up quickly – balancing school, travel and high-level competition while adjusting to life in a new city.

Now in his first year of post-secondary, Mongard describes the transition as a learning process filled with “ups and downs,” as he manages classes, practices and travel. 

Instead of being overwhelmed, he says he approaches it step by step – organizing his schedule, holding himself accountable and staying focused on improvement. That discipline is part of his definition of excellence.

Standing firm in who he is

Growing up in Laval, Mongard was surrounded by diversity – “mostly Black, Latino, Spanish people,” he says. His cultural identity was strengthened at home, especially by his uncle Enrst Pierre and his Grandma Mongard, who played key roles in shaping how he sees himself.

“My uncle taught me Black excellence comes from greatness – too always stay strong on what I believe and to know that other people, do respect me,” Mongard says. “My grandma is a perfect example. She always has a voice, never lets other people walk over her, and always has a positive influence on the family, for me and my siblings.” 

Mongard recognizes that Black history includes hardship, but he believes it’s equally important to highlight the strength, resilience and achievements that define Black communities. For him, Black excellence is about carrying himself with confidence, knowing his worth and refusing to shrink in any environment.

He also believes recognition shouldn’t be limited. Mongard notes that February is the shortest month of the year and sometimes feels symbolic in the wrong way. He hopes for continued acknowledgment beyond a single month, emphasizing that Black voices matter year-round and deserve space to be heard.

Inspired by greatness

Like many young basketball players, Mongard grew up watching LeBron James. But his admiration goes deeper than highlight reels. He says James’ positivity, leadership and ability to stay focused despite criticism left a lasting impression. Seeing someone who looked like him succeed on the world’s biggest stage made the dream feel real.

“That made me realize I can also make it happen for myself,” Mongard says.

Moments in sports history, like the collective response from athletes following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, also impacted him. Seeing teams use their platform to call for justice reinforced the importance of speaking up and standing firm when something is wrong. For Mongard, excellence is not just about performance, it’s about character.

Culture, community and comfort

While basketball brought him to Alberta, Mongard’s roots remain central to who he is. Food, music and family traditions keep him grounded.

When he returns home in the summer, his grandmother cooks traditional dishes like rice, chicken and meals that carry the flavours of his culture. Those meals are more than just food, “it reminds me of memories growing up,” he says.

Even living on his own, Mongard takes pride in being able to cook for himself, a skill passed down from his grandmother. It’s another reflection of his independence and growth.

Advice to his younger self

When asked what he would tell his younger self, Mongard doesn’t hesitate: “be humble, learn from others, don’t focus on negativity.”

He admits there were moments when he listened too closely to negative voices or relied only on his own experiences. Over time, he realized the value of learning from those who came before him and people who have already walked the path and have wisdom to share – an awareness that speaks to his maturity as a first-year student-athlete.

Excellence in every step

Mongard’s story is one of growth, from Laval to Calgary to Lethbridge, and from a shy young athlete adjusting to life away from home to a confident Kodiak who understands his value and voice.

Black excellence, in his words, is about resilience, belonging and refusing to feel small.

Every time he steps onto the court in Kodiak blue, he carries that excellence with him, not just for a month, but every single day.