September 28, 2022

By Luke Hazlewood

Brampton Centennial alumni

I went to St Thomas Aquinas Secondary School in Brampton in Grade 9 (1997-98) and completely failed and got into a lot of trouble.

For grade 10, I went to Brampton Centennial and played ball for coach Ken MacKay. Meeting Coach MacKay set me on a good path moving forward. I have an amazing wife that I met in Iowa (while attending Ellsworth Community College), three incredible kids and successful businesses.

I can honestly say none of this would have happened if I had not played baseball for Coach MacKay. He was a guidance counsellor at BCSS and by far the most loved staff member in the school. He gave students his time and attention and no matter how bad a student screwed up, he had their back and went to bat for them. He even coached baseball during a “work to rule” which was very unpopular in 1998-99, but he didn’t care and did it anyway.

We won the Prentice Cup that year. He lost many staff friends from this decision but his heart was always in the right place and he always put the kids first.

Two years before I arrived, the BCSS Bucks went 29-0 (1996) and won the Prentice Cup. Scott Hughes was the leader of that team. After Scott graduated, we went on to win two more and won the championship three of four seasons.

Coach MacKay’s famous line to his students and players was “Let your talent flow” ... He said it every day and nobody laughed at it because when Coach MacKay spoke everyone listened. We would have followed him blind into the woods because he was a true leader and inspired all around him.

His funeral was this past Sunday and after hearing his family speak, it was evident that he touched everyone that he came into contact with. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, guidance counselor and baseball coach. Below are some accolades and a breakdown of the Bucks, who lost a grand total of seven games in five years.

How they fared ….

1996-1997 - 29-0 Prentice Cup Champs

1997-98 - Lost in semi-finals.

1998-99 - Won Prentice Cup

1999-2000- Won Prentice cup

2000-2001- lost in quarters (only lost one game all year)

(The Bucks program was almost in for a shakeup after MacKay said he would retire from coaching after winning the 2000 Prentice Cup. When MacKay couldn’t find anyone to take over the program he assumed coaching duties again.)

Five-year record 97-7.

Alumni

_ Scott Hughes (MacMaster University)

- Tyler Hughes (UBC baseball)

- Luke Hazlewood (Ellsworth College Junior College Iowa, Bacone College, Oklahoma)

- Tyler Johnstone (Connors State, Purdue University, Auburn University, NY Mets organization)

- Darren Watts (UBC, New York Mets organization)

- Ryan Pitre (Ellsworth College Junior College, Iowa)

- Derek Gordon (USC-Aiken)

- Kern Watts (University of Arkansas, University of Evansville)

- Dayna Deruelle (Brock Badgers)

- Richard Smythe (UBC baseball)

- Dave Badovinac (San Francisco State)

- Jimmy Zucchero

Players Brampton competed against in 2001 _ Chris Toneguzzi (Markville, Ont./Thunder Bay, Ont.) Purdue University, drafted 13th round by the Milwaukee Brewers; Mark MacDonald (Burlington, Ont.) 29th round by the Toronto Blue Jays; Chris Emanuele (Mississauga, Ont.) played at Northeastern Unversity, 26th round selection by Toronto Blue Jays, played four seasons in the Jays minor-league system; Chris Kemlo (Oshawa, Ont.) 34th rounder by the New York Yankees, played Indy ball in Quebec and Edmonton; P.J. MacDonald (Burlington, 43rd round draft by the Blue Jays); Drew Taylor (Toronto, Ont.) University of Michigan, pitched two seasons in the Toronto Blue Jays system, one year of independent ball at Traverse City; Glenn Jackson, winner of five straight Intercounty titles with the Barrie Baycats; Scott Robinson (Pickering, Ont.) Maine and Jordan Ripco Connors State.

Obituary

It is with deep sadness we announce the unexpected passing our beloved Ken on Friday Sept. 16, 2022 in his 74th year. A wonderful husband to Judith (nee Tomlinson) for 50 years. Cherished father to Amanda (Ian) and Zac (Laura). An incredible grandfather to Matthew, Oliver, Frankie, Beau, and Kit. Survived by his eldest sister Sheila and predeceased by his siblings Mary and John and parents Irene and Angus.

Ken’s world revolved around those he loved. He was the kindest, most generous and loving person. Someone who made an impact on everyone he met.

His love for his wife and best friend Judy was unmatched. His days started and ended by telling her how much he loved her and in between doing everything he could to bring her happiness and joy. He set a high standard for what being a husband and father is all about.

He was an incredible Grandpa who loved having fun with and teaching his grandchildren. As a counselor for over 30 years with the Peel Board he impacted countless lives. As ‘Coach MacKay,’ Ken was a father figure to many and helped 100s of young men and women reach their full potential by reminding them to “Let their talent flow.”

Ken loved golfing with his wife and creating many memories with their friends on Boshkung Lake. He was always the focal point of fun there and in Alabama during their retirement.

Ken made everything better and has left us all forever changed for having had him as part of our lives.

What they are saying about the late coach MacKay

“I had the opportunity to play for Coach MacKay from my grade 9 year in 1992 to our first ever Bob Prentice cup in 1997. I can say, without hesitation, through my 37 years of playing ball that I never encountered a coach that could instill confidence, calmness and a sense of self belief like coach MacKay could. He had incredibly unique way of communicating. It did not matter your race, background, or performance in school, he treated absolutely everybody the same. He gave every single player a fair chance. He was a coach, a leader, and a father figure for many young teenage boys looking for direction. There was one coach MacKay and he will forever be an important part of the man I am today.”

_ Dr. Scott Hughes, surgeon, Kamloops, BC.

“I had a difficult start in high school and then in grade 10 I transferred to BCSS and I met Coach MacKay. I was a challenging 15 year old kid who was talented in baseball and he saw that and believed in me. I owe a lot of my success today to Coach MacKay and will never forget him”

_ Luke Hazlewood, coaching St. Marcellinus Secondary School, living in Innisfil Ont., with his wife Sarah and three children, operating a business with Tyler Johnstone.

“Coach MacKay fought the school board diligently until they accepted my transfer to BCSS in my final year of high school. I am forever indebted to coach McKay for not only the chance to play ball for the perennial Prentice Cup champs but also the opportunity to meet some of my lifelong best friends and my future wife”

_ Tyler Johnstone, who shared the same infield at Auburn with former Blue Jays MVP Josh Donaldson.

“As a coach, Ken MacKay had an uncanny ability to bring out the best his players. He did it with compassion - and always had the perfect thing to say at any given moment. Before every game, he would say ‘Let your talent flow’.” Something I hold on to every day.

_ Tyler Hughes.