Newton North Basketball Coach is to receive Educator Award

Today, March 22, from 8 am to 4 pm the Massachusetts DownSyndrome Congress (MDSC) will hold its 30^th annual conference at the DCU Center in Worcester to celebrate the true champions of the Down syndrome movement here in Massachusetts.

Each spring, over 600 people with Down syndrome, their family members, health care professionals, and educators from across New England attend the conference to hear the latest research findings and information. They share stories, celebrate victories, advocate for acceptance, and reunite with other MDSC families.

The Burlington-based non-profit organization, hopes to demonstrate the resilience of the community and show how we all pull together to ensure the people with Down syndrome everywhere have opportunities to live fulfilling lives.

This year the theme was “Champions!” based on the Boston Strong mentality of people coming together to overcome challenges and create a communal sense of pride and positivity. They will highlight several champions with and without Down syndrome, including Newton North Basketball Coach Paul Connolly, for his work integrating team manager Brendan Durkin into his basketball program.

Brendan Durkin, a Newton North student with Down syndrome, scored the buzzer beating shot at the TD Garden during the 2014 Good Sports Invitational. “This was my first time doing this,” said Durkin in an ESPN article. “I’ve never been on the court before. I’ve been managing for about seven years now, and this feels really nice.”

At the press conference held after the game, Connolly said, “I asked him if he was ready and he immediately took the lanyard off and got ready to go in. Hitting a shot like today, at the Garden, just really topped it for us. That was terrific. What a great way to end it.”

Coach Connolly has always been committed to working with students with special needs. Even before Brendan, Connolly worked with students in the school’s special education programs. He was also a constant source of encouragement to Brendan, giving him opportunities to deliver pre-game pep talk and stand center court for the announcement of the starting players.

Coach Connolly will receive the award at the Awards Luncheon with Brendan Durkin present as well.