VICTORIA - The University of Victoria lost a great person, a great family man and one of the most iconic basketball players ever to don the Vikes uniform on Monday. Eli Pasquale passed away from cancer. He was 59.

Vikes have scheduled a Tribute to the Life of Eli Pasquale for Saturday, Nov. 16 at the McKinnon Gymnasium. Doors will open for this public event at 2 p.m.

He will be remembered for many things, chief among them being one of the greatest basketball players this country ever produced.

"Our UVic Vikes community mourns the loss of a truly iconic individual - Eli Pasquale. The name Eli Pasquale is synonymous with basketball excellence and his list of accomplishments are world class. Eli was one of the greatest basketball players in the world during his playing days and his impact on UVic and our Vikes program was enormous," said Clint Hamilton, Director of Athletics and Recreation.  Eli played with unprecedented passion for the game and he was relentless in his drive to compete and constantly improve. He led by example at all times. Our community benefited from Eli's love of basketball as he continued to impact and inspire beyond his playing days as thousands of children benefited from his camps and programs. We have lost a sporting giant and our Vikes program will forever be honored to have the No. 13 jersey hanging in our McKinnon and CARSA facilities - a reminder for current and future generations of the high standard Eli Pasquale set while at UVic."

Since the moment he stepped on campus, Pasquale was the biggest competitor in practice. That passion fueled him and kicked off the greatest stretch of basketball in Vikes history.

The Sudbury, Ont., product was the driving force behind the Vikes dynastic run in the 80s. Starting his freshmen year, he led the Vikes to five consecutive national championships from 1979-84. He is one of five CIS/CIAU athletes to have won five national titles in any sport.

In 1982 Pasquale was recognized as the B.C. University Athlete of the Year and in 1983 led Canada to a gold medal finish at the World University Games over USA, a team boasting future NBA stars Karl Malone and Charles Barkley.

In 1984, he was awarded the Mike Moser Memorial Trophy as Canadian university basketball's Player of the Year and after graduating from UVic was a draft pick of the NBA's Seattle Supersonics. He played three pre-season games for the team before being released. He later played pro basketball in Argentina, West Germany and Switzerland.

The point guard also enjoyed a distinguished international career, spending 15 seasons with the Canadian national team program and competed in two Olympic Games, two PanAm Games and four World Championships.

In 2003, Pasquale was inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame and in 2004 inducted into the B.C.'s Hall of Fame. The following year his jersey was retired by the Vikes.

Pasquale is survived by wife Karen, sons Isiah and Manny, brother Vito, sister Luciana and mother Adriana.