A donation of one million for the Carabins tennis program at the University of Montreal

UPDATE DAY

There was a great excitement in the CEPSUM training studio at the University of Montreal despite the gray weather outside for a day in May.

At the same table, we found Daniel Jutras, the rector of the University, Philippe Le Blanc, a generous donor, and Geoff Molson, the owner of the Canadian, but also president of the Club governors of the Carabins. At the lectern, there was also Manon Simard, the executive director of the CEPSUM and the Carabins. 

And in front of them were athletes, journalists and other dignitaries. Even Rodger Brulotte had made the trip for his page “Everything everywhere in town”. 

The purpose of this gathering: a donation of one million to the Carabins tennis program from the Le Blanc Foundation. With this considerable monetary contribution, the “Blues” will now have the financial means to hire a full-time coach in the person of David Desrochers, a former Carabins and a graduate in teaching physical education. 

“This donation is in line with the Foundation's objectives, which are to invest in sport, the arts and health,” said Philippe Le Blanc, brother of Sébastien, a former ATP employee. With this donation, we will improve the Carabins tennis program. The dream and the vision is to make Quebec tennis competitive with what is happening in the United States and the NCAA. »

Stop the exodus

The Carabins men's and women's program will not aim to develop the next big stars of the ATP or WTA, but will seek to keep talent within the province. 

“In the future, we want our young people here to consider the Carabins or Laval University as a great achievement,” said Le Blanc. I'm not saying it's not a nice thing, but they dream more in the United States. It has to change. It's a long tradition that began in the 80s with Martin Laurendeau. We have anchored it in the culture of tennis in Quebec that it goes through the NCAA. We have to break that. “

“For the most part, we will want to develop student-athletes, he continued. But it's not impossible to see one or two players stand out and become professionals. To achieve this, we must improve the university circuit in Quebec. »

Brothers Philippe and Sébastien Le Blanc define this exodus to the United States well. In their time, they each played tennis at a high level, but together they also have three children who hit the yellow ball in American college programs. 

Two of Sébastien's four children have played in the NCAA. Raphaëlle, 23, is an alumnus of the University of Portland in Oregon, while Alexandre, 21, will graduate in May from the University of Kentucky. 

Christophe Leblanc , the oldest of Philippe's children, attends Kenyon College in Ohio.