Family influence
Travis Krahn is a first-year Clipper from Winkler Manitoba, where he grew up with his parents Alvin and Tammy, along with an older brother and two older sisters – Trent, Mikaela, and Jordana. Family has been a huge part of Krahn’s life, and he credits his parents and brother as big factors in his development with basketball.

“He’s the reason I am playing basketball”, said Krahn of his older brother Trent.

Learning from great experiences
Before coming to Briercrest, Krahn had a good career with his high school team at Garden Valley Collegiate in Winkler, where he was coached by Walter Giesbrecht, whom Krahn also credits as a key influence in his development with basketball. A personal highlight for him while at Garden Valley was scoring 51 points in a game, with 42 of those points coming of 14 three-pointers. Krahn’s says he loves to shoot three’s and that is his favorite part of the game.

Krahn also had the opportunity to play three summers with the Manitoba provincial basketball team, as he donned the provincial colors for his 15U, 16U and 17U years. He notes that the best part of those experiences was getting the opportunity to represent Manitoba at the 2009 Canada Summer Games in Prince Edward Island.

Doing whatever it takes
Krahn’s favorite quote is from Dr. Shaun Marler, who says “If you want something you have never had, you must be willing to do something you have never done.”
Taking those words to heart, the 6’ 0” guard has a great work ethic – and it has paid off. In this his first season in the ACAC, Krahn has proved to be a consistent starter for the Clippers. He even earned player of the game honors during a game against the top-ranked Lethbridge Kodiaks.

Coach Wolverton notices that work ethic.

“Travis is a major contributor this year as a freshman both on and off the court.  His work ethic and dedication to improvement are the reasons why he is seeing success in his young career.

Wolverton also sees Krahn’s desire to develop character and become the best person he can be.

“His desire to grow as a young leader is evident as he holds himself to a high standard and encourages his teammates to do the same. Travis is a team player with a servant attitude and that, coupled with his work ethic, is going to transcend into many successful years playing college basketball.”

More than just basketball
Krahn says the part he enjoys most about being a Briercrest Athlete is, “How they develop the athletes into great athletes and great people off the court.”

This was a big part of why he chose to come to Briercrest, saying, “I came because I could play basketball at a high level and learn and grow closer to God.”

He loves the atmosphere on the team and says that even outside of practices and games, his favorite thing to do is “hang out with the guys on the team.”

Growing through hard times
His relationship with God is a priority for him now, but says that like most people, he went through a stretch of his life where he really doubted God.

“When I was 15, my cousin and best friend committed suicide”, said Krahn.

 Needless to say this was a hard time for the young Krahn, and a time where he wondered if God cared.

“I drifted away from God then, but realized later that it was him that would help me through this struggle.”

Right now Krahn is excited to continue to grow in that relationship while at Briercrest, and he is also excited about the opportunity to help his team make playoffs.

He is taking Open Studies, focusing on university transfer courses and keeping his options open for both basketball and academics. He is not sure what the future holds for him or the exact direction he wants to go yet, but knows that he has some valuable learning and growing to do during this time of his life.

“I want to develop into a stronger basketball player and also strengthen my relationship with God here at Briercrest. I would like to play at a CIS level in the future.”