A local teacher and basketball coach says it’s amazing to receive an award for his impact on the community.
Aaron Guthrie with Dennis Franklin Cromarty School wants to share the credit with everyone involved with the school’s Thunderbirds basketball program.
“There definitely was a lot of people behind me supporting me. The students are a big part of what we’re doing, they’re the biggest part. Without them, and without them pushing for the team, we wouldn’t have had the team.”
The award includes a trip to a Toronto Raptors game next season, and a $5,000 donation that will support the basketball program.
Some of that will go toward paying for transportation for players who don’t have a way to get to practice, games, or other events.
Guthrie notes they held a 3-on-3 basketball tournament with local EMS, Lakehead University, and DFC players last year, and could use another portion of the money to bring it back.
“It was a really nice community-building experience that finished with a big community barbecue at the end,” he explains, “Everybody was kind of on the same page. I haven’t planned it yet, but I would definitely like to make it a second-annual [event].”
The award is from the Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Foundation, which has been working with the basketball program since 2016.
