Danny Coutu has been named the 2023 George Martyn Memorial Award winner for contribution to the sport of basketball.
The award is one of several annual awards handed out by the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame.
Danny started playing basketball in 1985 at Cité des Jeunes. While at West Ferris Secondary School, he played junior and senior basketball. At the senior level, he was a member of two NDA and one NOSSA championship teams.
From 1989 to 2004, Danny played in the Canadore summer league winning 3 championships. From 1997-2004 he played in the winter men's league, winning three more championships.
His coaching days began in 1997 as he coached the Grade 9 Trojan basketball team. From 1997-2003 he was able to coach all three levels of Trojan basketball, leading West Ferris to four NDA and two NOSSA titles. He was awarded the John Cullis Award in 2001 for outstanding contribution to the sport of basketball.
At this time in his life, Danny decided to go back to university and obtain his teaching degree. This took Danny away from North Bay but did not stop him from coaching. For 12 years, he coached basketball teams in Acton and Parry Sound High School.
In 2016, he had the opportunity to coach the junior basketball team at Chippewa Secondary School.
In 2019, he returned to West Ferris and has been the senior coach for five years.
Coutu quickly turned the program around, winning NDA titles in 2019 and 2024. Dan has also been an assistant coach the past 3 years for the men's basketball program at Canadore. He has also been coaching Club basketball with the Spartans for the past 15 years. At the U19 level, his team won 3 gold medals in 2011, 2012 and 2020. He also added two bronze medals in 2016 and 2017 at u16 and u17 levels.
On the executive side, Dan has been involved in OFSAA basketball in 1995, 2003, and 2020.
Coutu has been a convenor for the Great Northern Shootout, Panther Invitational, Art Gabor elementary and high school tournaments.
Danny Coutu will receive his award at the 43rd Annual Induction and Awards Dinner on Saturday, April 27 at the Davedi Club. Tickets are available by calling Larry Tougas at 705-303-8104, Trista Grant at 705-472-0009, the Davedi Club at 705-474-4190, or by contacting any Board member.
