The Community Foundation of Boone County is honored to award the Lionel Dubay Youth Sports Award. The 2024 recipient is Craig Kouns of Zionsville, who becomes the 22nd recipient of this award.
This award was established in 1993 by Lionel Dubay‘s wife Gwen, his friends, and community donations to continue his legacy. Lionel was a vital parent & supporter of youth sports in Zionsville. He was an active member of multiple sports organizations including Little League & Youth Soccer Association, and was instrumental in starting pee-wee football in Zionsville.
Every year, this award recognizes someone who has made an ongoing commitment to Zionsville youth sports. The nomination form is open to the community to submit nominations, the CFBC Grants Committee reviews all applications, and determines the recipient who then pays it forward by selecting a nonprofit organization that benefits youth sports in the community to receive an unrestricted grant.
Year after year, it is demonstrated how blessed Zionsville is to have so many wonderful people pouring into our local youth through the several nominations received for this award. This will be the 22nd award from the Lionel Dubay Youth Sport Fund, resulting in $8,500 being injected into Zionsville youth sports, in honor of Lionel.
Craig (Kouns) sets an incredible example of how to treat people. He respects the referees, and requires the girls to also. His encouragement and positive attitude make him an incredible role model for the hundreds of young ladies he has coached.
Kouns has been part of the Zionsville sports community since he was around nine years old. He began his sports career in little league baseball and youth football. He went on to play football, basketball and track at Zionsville High School. He was an All-State defensive end in football and held the Zionsville pole vaulting record for a number of years.
As he aged out of high school sports, he returned to Zionsville and gave back. He has coached 30+ years as a 7th grade girls basketball coach at Zionsville Middle School. As a 7th grade coach he provides a stable, calm atmosphere for 7th grade girls to succeed in improving their basketball skills.
He has also participated in the boys basketball program at the high school. For 30+ years Craig has kept the scorebook for the high school boys basketball team. His dedication to Zionsville youth sports is evident by his years of service.
Kouns has chosen to award the $500 grant from the Lionel Dubay Youth Sports Award Fund to the Zionsville Athletic Boosters Club. In addition, Craig Kouns’ name will be added to the plaques honoring all recipients of this award, which are hung in Zionsville Town Hall.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF BOONE COUNTY
The Community Foundation of Boone County exists to unite people, organizations, and philanthropy to create a thriving community for all. Since 1991, its leaders have worked to empower and engage local communities to make a difference right here in Boone County, while also leading a vision to collaboratively address the root causes of challenges facing Boone County in diverse and equitable ways. The Community Foundation continues to invest in the people working to fill local needs and has granted more than $30 million to nonprofit organizations and programs working to solve critical challenges in Boone County. With nearly $35 million in net assets, the Community Foundation works with donors to create permanent funds for charitable giving, to strengthen Boone County for generations to come.