KAMLOOPS – For the first time in its U SPORTS history the Thompson Rivers WolfPack are pleased to announce that a standout student-athlete has committed to play for two programs at the Canada West level, with Jocelyn Orr signing for both WolfPack women's basketball and soccer.
 
"I was stunned, I wasn't sure if I could do it but I took some time to figure out if that's what I want to do and at the end of the day, I just want go for it and see what happens," said Orr on the moment that she realized playing both basketball and soccer at TRU was a possibility.
 
With both head coaches Mark Pennington and Todd Warnick working together to make the unique recruitment possible, Orr has the opportunity to suit up and compete for two teams playing at the highest level of university sport in Canada.
 
"I am excited that Jocelyn has committed to the WolfPack, she is a really talented multi-sport athlete and it's a testament to her that she will play both soccer and basketball at the university level," said Pennington.
 
"I learned early on that Jocelyn was an outstanding soccer player and Mark and I began discussing how we could find a way to utilize her talents to benefit both programs," added Warnick. "I am looking forward to seeing her contributions on the pitch and the hardwood."
 
A Kamloops local and soon-to-be graduate of Valleyview Secondary, Orr stands 5-8 and plays guard in basketball and midfield in soccer.
 
"I'm a good three-point shooter and I can drive if a defender is playing up on me, I'm well-rounded," said Orr on her game on the court.
 
Suiting up for both the Kamloops Stormers and Northern Bounce at the club level, Orr rose through the youth ranks of Kamloops basketball before a run to the Provincial Championships in her Grade 11 year with Valleyview Secondary broadened her horizons.
 
"That was a turning point for me when I really fell in love with basketball more, because of the high level of play and the competitiveness," said Orr.
 
On the soccer field Orr started her playing career with KYSA before joining Thompson Okanagan Football Club (TOFC) with an eye on earning a post-secondary scholarship.
 
"I played Whitecaps youth soccer camps growing up, so John (Antulov, WolfPack men's soccer head coach) was a big influence on my play and me developing as an athlete," said Orr. "Between Grade 9 and 10 I decided to try out for TOFC after reflecting on what I wanted. I knew that if I wanted to play soccer at the university level TOFC would be a better outlet for me to get there."
 
Orr is a versatile midfielder that has the ability to both attack and defend on the soccer field.
 
"I've always said that I want the best players from the area to sign here for the WolfPack and Jocelyn fits the bill," said Pennington. "She's an incredibly driven, hard-working and talented player that will be a huge asset to our team and our culture."
 
While there will be familiar faces on both rosters once Orr joins TRU, one in particular stands out on the basketball squad. Orr will join her older sister Jessica who has played for the 'Pack for the past two seasons.
 
"Seeing her sign with TRU inspired me and made me realize that it was possible," said Orr. "Having the chance and opportunity to be on the same team as her and train alongside her is really fun."  
 
In 2021-22 the elder Orr finished the season with the tenth-highest points-per-game mark for a rookie in program history and second in program history with a three-point field goal percentage of 38.9.
 
"Jess Orr has been a wonderful ambassador for WolfPack women's basketball and the opportunity to add someone of similar character is a great opportunity," said Warnick.
 
Planning on studying science at TRU, the opportunity to stay close to home and represent the WolfPack is one that Orr is relishing.
 
"It was the support from my family and the opportunity to play two sports," said Orr on what made TRU so attractive. "I really like the school, my sister is taking science and she's told me great things about connections you can build with professors because of the smaller class sizes at TRU."
 
While Orr is the first WolfPack recruit to suit up for two teams at the U SPORTS level, she joins a long list of student-athletes that have shone on multiple fields of play throughout TRU history. Orr joins athletes such as: Alison Bekkering (WVB/WSOC/WBB), Wendy Hara Cooluris (WSOC/WBB), Kelly MacDonald (WSOC/WVB), Kirstine Niemi (WSOC/WBB), Sandra Redford (WBB/WSOC), Dayna Schweizer (WSOC/WVB), Tim Unaegbu (MSOC and MBB) and many more.
 
Jocelyn Orr
Position: Guard / Midfield
Height: 5'8"
Hometown: Kamloops, BC
Last Team: Thompson Okanagan Football Club / Northern Bounce