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Kevin Brother

Brother Kevin
Sport: Multisports
Year Inducted: 1986

Since being assigned to teach in Cornwall in 1935, Brother Kevin applied his exceptional promotional and coaching abilities for over 20 years, putting Cornwall on the map at both a national and provincial level in basketball and boxing.

He was involved with assisting in coaching rugby and basketball teams at CCVS. During the War years, Brother Kevin became heavily involved in the OCOT program in softball and basketball, along with Nick Kaneb.

He was largely responsible for the development of the OCOT Golds Ladies’ basketball team into a National Championship team at the intermediate level in 1949. This team was also Dominion finalists in 1948. He also coached the Golds junior ladies’ team to the Dominion Finals in both 1950 and 1951.

During these years and into the 1950’s, basketball was very popular in Cornwall and there were several strong men’s teams competing in the men’s city league. From 1946-53, Brother Kevin coached the Holy Name Society team. They were city Champions in 1952 and 53, advancing into the Ontario Intermediate playdowns.

In the late 40’s, he became the first qualified basketball official in Cornwall.

Boxing was also one of his favourite sports. In 1946, he was responsible for organising the St. Columban’s Holy Name Society Boxing Club, also acting as promoter and coach, assisted by Hall of Famers Don St. Louis Sr., Gerry Blanchard, and Ashley Kirkey. They enjoyed excellent success over the next five years, winning regularly against boxing clubs from Ottawa Boy’s Club, University Settlement, and Griffintown out of Montreal, as well as from Massena, Brockville, and Kingston, to name a few.

On the academic side, Brother Kevin worked for the Ministry of Indian Affaires setting up the elementary school system on the St. Regis reserve.