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From his start in Scarborough to Toronto St. Michael’s high school and then to the University of Windsor after a year of what he calls ‘floating’ at Ryerson University.
“I had a lot of people pour into me,” Downes said. “I think I’ve always been fortunate. I’ve had some incredible mentors; men and women.”
He won a national title with the Lancers under the late Dennis Fairall and it was the late Gary Malloy that got him involved at the club level.
“I think you occasionally hear from athletes who may have grown up without a lot and without people like Kurt,” Francis said. “It might be one individual that says something to a child growing up to encourage them and that child carries it with them. It may just be an attitude, an act of kindness or a kind word that really makes a difference in life when they’re struggling with major challenges.
“That’s what they remember their whole lives. Those small acts of kindness don’t always get recognized. For me, it’s the human element and the individual stories and that personal influence result in creating a champion a few decades down the line. I find those stories really powerful.
“A lot of people across the country are deeply committed to charity and young sport and there were one or two others (considered for the award), but we really liked Kurt’s approach the best. He does it with an incredibly modest approach and attitude.”
And Downes is hoping to keep working on the summit with hopes of one day also creating a scholarship to the University of Windsor.
“A lot of it was positive and there’s so many things we can do,” Downes said. “I would love for it to become something bigger and give scholarships and opportunities to kids and young coaches. There are a lot of different things we can do.”
jpparker@postmedia.com
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