Football: Ottawa alum gives back to high school, Gee-Gees

A heartwarming story out of Kingston about the philanthropic efforts of Doug Falconer, a K-Towner who played on two still-legendary football teams:
"The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees football team announced yesterday that Falconer has established the Gilbert-Fraser- Morrison scholarship, a $2,000 entrance bursary awarded annually to a La Salle graduate (the first option) or a Kingston-based grad with an average of 80% or better. The award, named after former La Salle basketball coach Doug Fraser, football coach Bob Morrison and one-time Gee- Gees football coach Don Gilbert, is the first entrance scholarship in the 109-year history of the football program at Ottawa.

" 'I wanted to give back to the Kingston area as I still consider it my hometown,' said Falconer, who went on to win a Vanier Cup with the Gee-Gees in 1975 and a Grey Cup with the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1976 as a defensive back." — Kingston Whig-Standard
A huge thanks is owed to The Whig sports editor Mike Koreen for expanding on uOttawa's initial release.

(Personal note: One of the long-time coaches at La Salle Secondary is Kim Latourell, whose spouse was my elementary school French teacher. She used to joke about it apropos that her husband coach football, since their last name sounds like "lateral.")

Related:
La Salle graduate establishes scholarship; Bursary to be awarded by Ottawa Gee-Gees (Mike Koreen, Kingston Whig-Standard)
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3 comments:

  1. From Doug Falconer's bio on his personal web site

    Currently, Doug serves as Chairman of Pacific Media & Entertainment, a film production company in Los Angeles, California.

    Google "Pacific Media & Entertainment" and do some exploring. It should give you clues as to the source of funds for this entrance scholarship.

    Ring up another for uOttawa...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pacific Media & Entertainment

    "(PME) was founded by Doug Falconer and Barry Josephson, former President of Production at Sony Columbia Tristar. Over the years films that have been either overseen, developed, produced and distributed by the management team of PME while serving as Presidents of one of the major studios and as independent producers include Men In Black, Wild Wild West, In The Line Of Fire, Get Shorty, Air Force One, Anaconda and The Fifth Element.

    PME's senior executives have produced several recent studio movies including Like Mike, Big Trouble starring Tim Allen, The Ladykillers starring Tom Hanks, Hide and Seek starring Robert De Niro and, most recently, Disney's blockbuster Enchanted, which has grossed $350m+ to date and was nominated for two Oscars. Mr. Falconer is also Executive Producer on the recent Barrie Osborne (Lord Of The Rings) film Laundry Warrior starring Jeffrey Rush and Kate Bosworth. PME's offices are currently at Fox Studios.

    PME is an asset based company which finances and owns its own films rather than having studio partners finance the films and take the lion's share of the profits. PME will produce 15 films over the next 5 years. In addition to Messrs. Falconer and Josephson the other key executives of PME are Duncan Clark, former President of World Wide Production at Sony Columbia TriStar, and Jeffrey Andrick, former First Vice President of Comerica Bank. "

    ReplyDelete
  3. "Previously, Doug was President and CEO of Falconer Entertainment Group, a location-based entertainment, special effects and ride film company. Doug is considered to be an innovator in the industry. His simulation theaters can be experienced around the world including Korea, Japan, China, Singapore, Canada and the U.S.A. Doug has also served as Senior Vice President of IVT, an Internet company funded by Paul Allen’s venture group (Vulcan Ventures) and Intel. Clients included Microsoft, HBO, Paramount Pictures, United Paramount Network and Sun Microsystems. Previously, Doug had a distinguished football career both at the collegiate level and as a professional player in Canada. Doug was a member of the legendary 1975 undefeated University of Ottawa National Championship team. No less than twelve players from the 1975 team went on to play in the CFL and the NFL. As a professional player, Doug was a member of the 1976 Grey Cup Championship Ottawa Rough Riders. He is an avid hockey fan and player in his spare time. Doug has been married for 20 years to his wife Louise. Together, they have two daughters, Taber 18, and Quinn 16. "

    ReplyDelete