From Athlete to Mentor: Coach Kurt Downes’ Journey of Resilience and Empowering the Next Generation

CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – February, 2025

“There are so many young people in need of good advice, guidance and coaching.”

By David Grossman

One thing is common in life – and that’s knowing that we all have the ability, and the power, to do something that can have an everlasting effect.

Optimism can be connected to that message as well as to almost everything we do.

It’s also a word that Kurt Michael Downes can relate to in his journey of life. As a talented and charming individual, Downes knows about all of that – and more. He’s had his share of occasions shrouded by problematic times.

Have a heart-to-heart chat with him, and Downes will share his experiences of what it’s like to be disrespected – or be there, when others dismiss something that can be resolved or have problems dealing with personal failure.

Downes is pragmatic and makes sense with his logical explanation that there is a cure for those setbacks and feelings.

One of those charismatic individuals, respected, and well educated, Downes is liked by more people than he knows. He has also gone the route of peaks and valleys. As the saying goes – “been there, done that and witnessed it all”. He’s observed, and even confronted athletes smiling to others as well as some who have a disgruntled ragtag approach to opportunities.

Good times seem to prevail. Red flags tend to lead to concerns.

Downes, who was born in Trinidad – a beautiful Caribbean Island near South America – came to Canada with his family at the age of three. Elementary school followed by a financial award to assist with academic studies. It helped him immensely benefit from the bonus of attending a private school.

Toronto’s St. Michael’s College School has had a polished reputation as a premier school for education – but it’s also a place with an array of extracurricular activities. For Downes, it was also instant ecstasy. The all-boy’s school was near the top when people talked about prestige and notoriety in many varsity sports.

His academic grades were average. That could very well have been attributed to his fondness for, and the time spent, competing in those extracurricular activities. A multi-sport jock, Downes would eventually focus on track and field. He liked the long, triple and high jumps, but sprinting is where he ended up with awards.

“Back then, as a teenager, I had good qualities, was the likeable kind of guy and learned a great deal about life, socializing and benefitting from a good education,” said Downes who, like most youngsters, aspired to becoming a professional athlete.

“Oh yeah, young kids always dream of reaching the big time,” he said. “Only a small number get close. Doing well in school and focusing on a realistic career should be the priority.”

That brings me to memorable words of inspiration to athletes from a mentor of so many. It’s not Phil Jackson, with the most coaching titles in the National Basketball League (NBA. Not even Scotty Bowman with the most Stanley Cups in the National Hockey League (NHL).

This might surprise you. It’s a former National Football League (NFL) coach and executive. You’ve heard the name Vince Lombardi.

He’s the one who made history as having achieved more success – in a short span of time.  In nine seasons in Green Bay, Lombardi won five league championships and two Super Bowl championships.

“Once a man has made a commitment to a way of life, he puts the greatest strength in the world behind him. It’s something we call heart power. Once a man has made this commitment, nothing will stop him short of success.” –Vince Lombardi

Downes once had interest in the field of physiotherapy – but chose to pursue studies at the University of Windsor. He earned his first of what would become a series of academic citations with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Making the best of his time outside of the classroom, Downes collected a colorful assortment of medals at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) track and field championships. There was a bronze in the triple jump, a silver in the long jump as well as a gold and silver as a member of relay teams. Tack on a bronze in the long jump at the Canadian university finals.

While at Windsor, who back then had a competition agreement with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Downes was chosen an All-America star in the triple jump. He was aiming to make the Canadian National track team. It didn’t happen as an athlete – but, several years later, it did in another capacity which we will outline later in this story.

That athletic career hit a serious setback in 2004, around his 25^th birthday, when he shattered his tibia and tore the anterior cruciate ligament at a twilight meet in Windsor. He knew something very bad happened. Doctors confirmed it. The knee injury ended his active years in sports.

Always thriving around people and one to assist others, Downes had this urge to share his experience. Leadership skills, educating others and providing sound have been his modus operandi – his method of doing things effectively and the right way.

Downes had applied, and was accepted, to Teacher’s College. What followed were eight more years in the classroom for him. This time, he was the teacher.  He’s currently on a one year leave from the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board.

Academics has always reigned big for Downes as he earned a master’s degree in human kinetics at the University of Western Ontario in London followed by studies leading up to a Doctorate in Kinesiology. His scope and thirst for knowledge has no end.

Coaching was also a natural fit, too. This year, he celebrates his 23^rd year as a sports coach. Specifically, with the Border City Athletic Club he has coached and been an executive member for 12 years. His impact has been huge. The Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO) is highlighting him during Black History Month.

“There are so many young people in need of good advice, guidance and coaching,” said Downes, who is being featured in the CAO’s series “Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench”.

“Sport can be huge as a method of helping kids. Under the current elementary school structure, it becomes very difficult to help them through sport. Not enough time to coach in the morning, at lunch and even after school when buses are waiting to transport them home.”

Does coaching work? Downes thinks so. Good coaches provide a truly important service. They tell you the truth – something everyone feels should be mandatory in that job.

Coaching credentials send a strong message about Downes’ qualifications. 

He has been a Coach of the Year with Athletics Canada, the recipient of the Canadian Running Magazine’s Builder of the Year and has been on 14 National teams, including a term with the Canadian Olympic team, as a staff coach. Currently, Downes is in the coaching mentorship program with the CAO.

When coaching is mentioned in a conversation, Downes pounces on the importance it plays in a person’s life. For him, it has always been about giving back to others in similar ways that he received help in his youthful days.

“There was a time when I was one of those kids,” said Downes, who has assisted young people as they pursue excellence. “Those we coach, they are grateful. In many cases, you can see things in those kids that were signs of us in younger years.

“I love to coach and can see the benefits of what good advice can mean to young people. Coaching is complex because there is a relationship with athletes, the instructional component, solving problems and remembering what it’s all about. That’s to make kids do well, lots of encouragement, motivation and a focus on reaching a level of success.”

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David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.

“I love to coach and can see the benefits of what good advice can mean to young people.”