ABA mourns the loss of members of Alberta's basketball community

Sadly the Alberta basketball community has recently lost Cody Akoar, Pierre Farage, Kuanyliet Kogalt and Ernie Lotz.

Cody Akoar was born in Egypt and moved to Alberta at age two. He greatly enjoyed basketball and was a starter for the Father Lacombe High School basketball team and a member of Team Alberta U16. He graduated from Father Lacombe High School in Calgary.

Pierre Farage had a great love for basketball and was involved with the game since high school. A lifelong Edmontonian, He served as Executive Director for the Southeast Basketball Association and spent many years as a coach and team manager with teams in the Edmonton Basketball Association. He graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor’s in Marketing and a master’s in business administration and worked for the Edmonton Oilers in their ticketing office.

Growing up in southern Alberta, Kuanyliet Kogalt had a deep passion for basketball. He played the game he loved with Basketball Basketball Club in Medicine Hat and the CYDC Panthers Club in Calgary, and at Father Lacombe High School where he attended in Calgary.

Ernie Lotz was a fixture in the Edmonton basketball community. Growing up, he played at Bonnie Doon High School and at the University of Alberta. He continued to play for decades in men’s basketball leagues, and was a tremendous fan and supporter of Golden Bears basketball. He also officiated basketball. Ernie was a committed educator who impacted many lives; he coached many years at J. Percy Page High School, and additionally worked at Strathcona High School.    

ABA joins in mourning and extends sympathies and condolences to family and friends of Cody, Pierre, Kuanyliet and Ernie, as well as all those lives whose lives they touched on and off the court.