ABA Community

The ABA presents this award annually to the graduating high school student that has made the biggest contribution to their community as an ABA youth development coach over their high school career while displaying all the positive caring qualities, passion and dedication that was typical of Lucas Peel over his twelve year involvement with the ABA.

Among several excellent candidates for this year’s award that all deserve recognition and praise, Central Toronto Academy student Milo Green and Parkdale Collegiate Institute student Owen Hodnett were unanimously selected as our most dependable and caring coaches among all their peers. Thank you Milo and Owen, for all your positive energy, dedication, and commitment over the years. Congratulations from all your ABA family - we are immensely proud of you!

Finishing as a finalist in 2006, Lucas Peel returned to captain the RSGC Senior Varsity Basketball team to a 2007 CISAA Championship. As a graduate, Lucas returned for several seasons giving back as an ABA coach throughout his life while also often serving as an assistant coach with the RSGC junior and senior varsity teams. As a player he always made the most of what he had, never quit, and always put his team and teammates first. As a player, captain, and coach he was a champion of the underdog, encouraging and inspiring many less confident friends and classmates to participate, improve and thrive who may have not been involved otherwise – for some, this small gesture was life-changing.

Every December we pay tribute to Lucas with the annual Lucas Peel Memorial ABA Alumni Game. RSGC has officially retired #34 in honour of Lucas with an inspiring banner hanging front and centre in the gym. We retired his jersey number not simply because of his excellent basketball skills, impressive accomplishments or championships won, nor because of how we tragically lost him way too soon, but more so because of his kindness, selflessness, goodwill and how much he always gave of himself to others on and off the court as a player, leader, mentor, alumni, and friend to all – he personified everything that all players, coaches, and people of all ages should strive to be – a role model for us all.