WINNIPEG (MB): The Royal Canadian Legion Sports Foundation is pleased to announce that Curtis J. Phillips of Fort McMurray, Alberta is the recipient of the inaugural C.A.P. Award which is to be given for outstanding service as a Coach, Athlete and Promoter of a selected sport.
“Curtis has a passion for the sport of basketball which is evident within his body of volunteer work and dedication to the sport,” stated Duane Whyte, a member of Manitoba’s Basketball Hall of Fame. “We are very proud to recognize him with this award. “
Starting in 1976, Phillips has utilized the mediums of internet, print and television to promote the sport and is recognized as one of Canada’s leading basketball historians.
Founder/editor of Manitoba’s Hoop Scoop magazine; producer/host of a provincial television show titled Basketball Alberta Focus, his research has been used by various publications and national and international organizations including the National Basketball Association, FIBA and Basketball Canada.
He currently updates the popular Canadian content website www.frozenhoops.com
Information director for various international events including the 1983 Universiade and 1991 World Junior Men’s Championships, Phillips, 52, has also organized and assisted with various basketball charity events, clubs and organizations including: Fort McMurray Basketball Association, Hoops for Kids, Winnipeg Greater Men’s Basketball Association, Warriors Soul 3-on-3, Arctic Winter Games and the 1983 Western Canadian Men’s Basketball Championships.
He has coached the sport at various levels and through support of the Government of Alberta has also conducted clinics on First Nations reservations in northern Alberta. He also produced two award-winning coaching instructional videos.
He also filled the role of head coach at the Legion Athletic Camp where he had the distinction of having one of the largest camps with an enrolment of 130 athletes.
As an athlete Phillips had the honour of playing on various championship teams in both Canada and United States including the No.2 ranked high school team in Canada. He was also player/coach of Team Xerox in Fort McMurray; a senior men’s team which played a 51-game season in 1986 capturing several tournament titles in Western Canada.
“This was indeed a surprise and honour,” stated Phillips of the C.A.P. Award. “Naturally you cannot do any of this without the support of others. Basketball has been and will remain, my first love in sports.
“I still recall as a 11 year-old kid listening to NBA and ABA games on a short-wave radio while lining up my basketball sport cards on a basketball court diagrammed out on a piece of cardboard. That kid has never left me in regards to having fun and promoting the sport.”