DUMFRIES Academy has just honoured a late teacher and coach with a commemorative basketball match starring former students.
Tim Propp was a social studies teacher at Dumfries Academy, as well as a coach that co-founded the Academy’s basketball team in 2007. He passed away in January 2021.
On Saturday May 21, the Academy welcomed back dozens of former students and friends that previously attended the academy for an alumni homecoming in celebration of Propp’s contributions to the club and the Academy.
The day began at 10am with an open practice session with current team members, giving parents an opportunity to meet with coaches.
After a lunch break, the players returned to the hall to begin the coach Propp memorial game.
After introductory words from coach Scott Powell, a close friend and colleague of Propp that worked with him since 2006, two teams of club alumni went head-to-head in the inaugural homecoming match for the right to raise the Propp memorial trophy, recently acquired from McQueen’s Engravers.
Neither team refused to give up during the event and went all-out, thanks to the results of their former coaches’ training.
When the buzzer finally sounded, the team lead by 2015 graduate Mustafa Chowdhury emerged as the victors with a 29-27 score.
There was a half-time show involving the school’s cheer squad a fun skill competition that involved shooting, balance and dribbling, and the final basketball game between the two coaches and the all-star alumni and their DA seniors teams.
Despite their valiant efforts, the DA Seniors came up short, falling to the returning alumni by a score of 57-35.
Due to the coronavirus and the lockdowns, it was difficult to hold an event for coach Propp during 2021. When small groups were permitted to meet again, the school held a moving event for his family and close colleagues.
Tim Propp’s influence as a coach and a teacher was vast and powerful, so much so that many alumni took time off work to attend the event, and others that couldn’t still sent well-wishes from across the world.
Coach Powell explained the importance of Saturday’s event: “When Tim died, we were obviously stuck in the midst of challenging restrictions.
“The school ran a lovely ceremony last Summer but I knew that I would need to wait longer in order to see Tim’s vision for a homecoming brought to life.
“There was never any secret about what I wanted to do, we just had to wait. I’m delighted with the turnout here today and the enthusiasm of these returning players and friends.
“It’s been truly up lifting. Tim would be humbled to tears yet openly loving all of this!”
Dumfries Academy intends to make the alumni homecoming an annual event in memory of coach Propp.
