‘Monty always wanted to help’
New Montador bursary will aid students dealing with effects of a concussion
Steve Montador would be happy to know his name is connected to helping student athletes persevering through post-concussion trauma, says a longtime friend.
The H.O.P.E. Bursary in honour of Steve Montador was established in 2017 to support students transitioning from high school to college/ university suffering the long-term effects of a sports-related concussion who require a reduced academic course load.
Montador was a National Hockey League defenceman, Peterborough Pete and a H.O.P.E. board member and supporter. He suffered concussions playing hockey, with his last occurring while playing in the NHL for Chicago, effectively ending his career.
Montador was vocal about his struggles and depression following his concussion and vowed to be a voice and advocate. After passing away at the age of 35 in 2015, his friends and fellow board members in H.O.P.E. established the bursary.
Montador’s story is also the subject of the 2017 book by Ken Dryden titled “Game Change: The life and death of Steve Montador and the future of hockey.”
“Monty always wanted to help,” said Mike Keating, a H.O.P.E board member and friend. “He was a very generous person in a lot of different ways. I think he’d be pretty proud of this bursary. It’s not a huge bursary or anything like that but he’d be pretty proud there is something making people aware of what happens when people get concussions. It makes me feel good about it because it’s something he was really focused on toward the end of his life. He was always trying to figure out ways to help himself get better and get his brain over whatever hurdles he was going through.
“It’s a little something that will help a student in our community and is community focused which is another positive thing. It can help a student regain some confidence and give them that bridge to help them get across until their brain starts to heal and they don’t need that assistance anymore.”
To be considered for the $2,500 annual bursary, the applicant must be a student at a Peterborough city/ county-based high school and registered in a first-year program at college/university; suffering from post-concussion syndrome sustained from a sports-related injury; be in satisfactory academic standing and have financial need. Required documentation includes a reference from a former coach for good sportsmanship and a doctor’s note outlining the need for a reduced academic workload.
Keating said the funds have been used for cognitive testing required by post-secondary institutions as part of the process of applying for a reduced workload as well as tutoring for students or a study buddy to accompany the student to class to take notes.
The bursary is funded by some of the proceeds of the Gaskell Cup three-on-three hockey tournament H.O.P.E operated each spring prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keating said life circumstances have changed so much for the board members who used to organize the event he’s not sure it will be revived but they may consider replacing it in the future with another event. “We have some goals to do a golf tournament or a slo-pitch tournament or some small fundraiser to keep this bursary alive,” said Keating. “There’s been a lot of talk but no action.”
Applications opened Monday and close on May 1 at midnight. All applicants will be reviewed by a committee consisting of H.O.P.E., Team 55, GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation and the Canadian Mental Health Association. All applicants will be notified of their status by May 20.
Applications can be found at gphsf.ca/stevemontador and are available from guidance counsellors at area high schools.
Return the completed form to Vince Bierworth, executive director of the GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation at Vince@GPHSF.ca, or call 705-7408074, ext. 101, to make alternate arrangements.
‘‘ It can help a student regain some confidence and give them that bridge to help them get across until their brain starts to heal and they don’t need that assistance anymore.
MIKE KEATING H.O.P.E BOARD MEMBER