Testimonials
WHAT FAMILIES SAY
We feel incredibly fortunate that our boys have had the opportunity to be coached by Coach Wallen.
What makes him special is that you can tell he truly cares. He loves the game, he loves teaching it, and he genuinely wants every kid to get better. He teaches his players to understand the game — not just how to score, but where to be with the ball, how to move without it, how to defend, and how to play the game the right way.
Coach Wallen is demanding and holds his players to a high standard, but he balances that perfectly with being fair. The kids know what is expected of them, and he holds them accountable while always treating them with respect. He pushes them because he believes in what they are capable of, and that combination of discipline, fairness and genuine care is a big part of what makes him such a great coach.
More than anything, Coach Wallen is helping develop good young men — players who understand effort, respect, accountability and what it means to be a great teammate.
As parents, that means a lot to us. We are genuinely grateful for the time, energy and heart Coach Wallen gives these kids and for the positive impact he has had on our sons, both on and off the court. We look forward to seeing even more growth, development and exciting times ahead at the School of Excellence.
Leanne G.
We were introduced to Coach Wallen during our son’s Grade 9 basketball season at school. At the time, our son had only ever played community basketball and had never played at the club level. Coach Wallen led our team with skill, clear direction, enthusiasm and, most importantly, a genuine commitment to his players. He was completely devoted to our team and created an environment where the boys felt challenged, supported and motivated to be better.
That season, we won the first-ever championship for the Senior Boys Basketball team at our school — an incredible achievement and a legacy to be proud of!
That experience is what led us to follow Coach Wallen into club basketball. We wanted our son to continue to be mentored, challenged and encouraged by a coach we trusted.
Over the past 3 years, we have watched our son grow tremendously, both physically and mentally. Coach Wallen has pushed him to develop his skills and compete at a higher level, while also teaching him about discipline, confidence, teamwork, accountability and perseverance. He has been an important mentor during some very formative years of our son’s life.
What stands out most to us is that Coach Wallen genuinely cares about the development of the young men he coaches, not just as basketball players, but as people. He sees their potential, challenges them to reach it, and believes in them along the way.
We are excited to see Coach Wallen bring that same passion, experience and commitment to the School of Excellence. We feel fortunate that our son has had the opportunity to learn from him, and we look forward to seeing where this next chapter takes him.
Parent
I am incredibly grateful for the time, dedication, and expertise Coach Yannick from SOE poured into my daughter over the summer.
This was her first time preparing to play community basketball, and throughout the summer, Coach Yannick worked with her one-on-one approximately once a week for an hour to an hour and a half. From the very beginning, the training was focused, disciplined, challenging, and intentional. He wasn’t simply teaching her basketball skills—he was helping her develop the focus, work ethic, confidence, and discipline needed to become a stronger player.
One of the things I appreciated most as a parent was how hands-on Coach Yannick was during every training session. Whatever drill he expected her to complete, he was right there doing it alongside her. He didn’t just tell her what to do; he demonstrated the proper technique, positioning, and form so she could fully understand what was expected of her. That kind of coaching made such a difference.
Over the course of the summer, I watched her skills and confidence improve tremendously. The results really showed when she attended tryouts for her community basketball team. Despite this being her first year playing, she earned a spot in one of the top groups alongside girls who had already been playing for previous seasons. As a parent, seeing that growth was incredibly rewarding.
What stands out about Coach Yannick is not only his knowledge of basketball, but his attention to detail, discipline, patience, and ability to connect with young athletes. You can genuinely see his passion and love for the game, and he brings that same energy into the athletes he coaches.
Most importantly, my daughter actually looked forward to training. She was challenged, but she was also encouraged and supported. She walked away from the summer not only a better basketball player, but a more focused, disciplined, and confident young athlete.
I would absolutely recommend Coach Yannick and SOE to any parent looking for a coach who will genuinely invest in their child’s development.
Thank you, Coach Yannick, for believing in her, pushing her, and helping prepare her for such a successful start to her basketball journey. We truly appreciate everything you have done!
Parent
The coaches at SOE are full of passion, commitment and knowledge for the game of basketball! My son played for Coach Yannick last year and I watched him develop not only in the skills of basketball, but as a leader, teammate, and young man. Coach had a way of knowing when and how to push and challenge my son to grow and improve on and off the court. Since the 1st practice with SOE, there has been a culture of excellence and the feeling of ‘family’ being fostered and encouraged. We truly love and appreciate this crew and look forward to what is ahead!
Tanya
Coach Yannick is a great and amazing Basketball coach. Seeing my son moving to the next level because of him, I can only thankful. He had made such a positive impact on my children. Thank you for your patience, dedication, encouragement, and for teaching them not only basketball but also discipline, teamwork, confidence, and respect. You are more than a coach; you are a mentor and a role model. May God bless you abundantly for the wonderful work you do in the lives of our children. We truly appreciate you!
Francyn
As parents, it means so much to see our child be part of a team where he is encouraged to work hard, challenge himself and enjoy the game of basketball. Coach Mark creates an environment where our son not only grows as an athlete, but also a kind, dedicated, resilient young man. The lessons Coach teaches go beyond basketball; teamwork, perseverance, accountability, respect and believing in yourself. Having a coach who genuinely cares about the kids and wants them to succeed is something we truly appreciate.
We are grateful to be on this new journey with SOE!
Parent
SOE has truly shown itself to be more than a club; it feels like family. The level of commitment and genuine care poured into each player is remarkable. Beyond basketball, the discipline, mentorship, and emotional support the kids receive create an environment where they feel valued, confident, and free to express themselves. It’s a community that nurtures them on and off the court, and I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.
Akin & Lola.
Our experience with S.O.E Basketball has been truly outstanding. Coach Yannick is incredibly patient and has continuously developed our child’s skills, court confidence, and overall willingness to grow. He doesn’t just coach; he teaches them how to truly excel, develop their basketball IQ, and constantly improve their game.
Thank you so much to the entire coaching team at S.O.E—this youth basketball program has cultivated such a positive, motivating, and life-changing experience for our child!