Long-time volunteer travels from Edmonton to be part of BRIT

There are a lot of people working behind the scenes at the Bedford Road Invitational Tournament (BRIT), and for one man it’s become a long-running tradition.

Dozens of volunteers spend long days working behind the scenes to ensure everything is in order for the basketball tournament. They help sell tickets, run the concessions, sweep the courts and more.

One of those volunteers is Eric Beck. He’s currently the technical director in charge of the tournament’s video production, and has been helping out since 2003 when he was a Grade 9 student. He’s been volunteering at BRIT ever since.

So what keeps him coming back 20 years later?

“The atmosphere around BRIT, that is unmatched anywhere that I’ve ever been, so to be a part of it, I think, is very honouring and very special,” Beck said.

Beck praised the quality of the basketball, the students and the production at the tournament. Even though he longer lives in Saskatoon, and currently resides in Edmonton with his wife, Beck said he still makes sure he returns for BRIT.

“I still made sure that my wife knew that I had this commitment,” he said.

“I made sure my boss knew I had this commitment at the beginning of January every year. I take a week of holidays and I come back.”

Even though Saskatoon may not be the warmest holiday destination during the winter months, Beck said facing the cold is worth it.

“There’s life-changing moments for a lot of these kids that they’re not going to get anywhere else,” he said.

“For me to take a week of holidays to help facilitate that for some of these kids, you know, that’s huge. That’s the smallest thing I can do.”

Beck said he’ll continue to volunteer at the tournament for as long as he can, to continue making memories for himself, the students and, of course, the players.

“The amount that I give back to the school is just a fraction of what the school has given me,” he said.

“There’s so much rich history with Bedford and with BRIT that it’s just an honour to be a part of and give back.”

The final game for BRIT will be held Saturday night, and all games will be streamed live on the tournament website.