Dawson College to name gymnasia for retired teacher and former Alouette Tony
Proudfoot

MONTREAL, Dec. 21 /CNW Telbec/ - Dawson College's Board of Governors unanimously adopted a resolution to name the CEGEP's gymnasia in honour of Tony Proudfoot. The decision was rendered at a special meeting of the Board on Monday evening, December 13. The motion was supported unanimously by the Dawson College Senate.

In recommending Tony Proudfoot for the naming of the massive facility that is used for academic, community and recreational purposes in a variety of sports, most notably basketball, for large exam sittings, and College-wide general assemblies, the retired teacher and former Alouette star was cited for his long service to Dawson College, his careers in professional football and education, his life-saving heroics during the Dawson shooting and his establishment of the fund for ALS research.

"The Board of Governors took this extraordinary measure knowing that the Dawson community is united in its appreciation of Tony's spirit and values that he has so generously shared with all of us," said Richard Filion, Director General of Dawson College.

The plaque to commemorate the naming will hang at the main entrance to the gyms, and reads:

Athlete, teacher, mentor, coach, hero: In honour of John (Tony) Proudfoot whose service to Dawson College from 1976 to 2010 exemplified leadership and excellence as a teacher, Chair of the Physical Education Department, Coordinator of Outdoor Education, contributor to academic programs and student life, and member of the Board of Governors. As an athlete, Tony distinguished himself by setting the standard as a player in the Canadian Football League with the Montreal Alouettes and the B.C. Lions, and as a coach. Tony worked hard and played hard. His legacy will be the vigour and dedication with which he took on every challenge, putting the well-being of others before his own, even under the most difficult of circumstances.

Mr. Proudfoot has battled ALS since he was diagnosed in March 2007, just six months after he risked his own safety to attend to a visiting Dawson graduate who had been severely injured during the September 13, 2006 assault on the College. He is widely credited with saving that young man's life.

At this time, plans to hold an official naming ceremony have been put on hold in consideration of the state of Mr. Proudfoot's health, which he elaborated on in a recent article published in the Montreal Gazette of December 15: (http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/time+come+Tony+Proudfoot/3979831/story.html)

For further information:

Donna Varrica, Coordinator, Communications, Dawson College
[phone] ext. 1352 / cell [phone]