Student Profile: Leroy Fontaine

Leroy Fontaine has shrugged off the poverty he witrnessed as a child and works hard to make sure others don't fall victims to drugs or unhealthy lifestyles. The Saint Mary's football player says volunteering helps him grow as a person.

In many ways, it would be easier for Leroy Fontaine to put his past behind him.

To forget about the addiction, abuse and neglect he witnessed as a child and focus only on his education, football and his aspirations of becoming a firefighter. But, that wouldn’t be the Saint Mary’s University student, football player and community volunteer who people have come to know.

Fontaine, 25, is a member of the Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation in Janvier, Alberta, a small community of roughly 600 people where he spent his childhood years. Youngsters there look up to him because of his football accomplishments.

He’s using that influence to hopefully inspire them and help them to overcome some of the obstacles that he too faced as a youngster. This summer, he made a three-hour daily commute from his home in Fort McMurrary so he could work as a youth co-ordinator in Janvier.

“I’ve seen it all first hand," he says. "I know exactly what they’re dealing with. It hasn’t changed since I was a kid. Broken homes, neglect, lack of support.”

Whenever possible, he talks to young people about the positives of sports, education and volunteering. He says volunteering helps him grow as a person. "I'm able to do good things and it makes my life happier."

His volunteer efforts run the gamut from holding football camps for aboriginal youngsters in Millbrook and Indian Brook, two of Nova Scotia’s aboriginal communities, to raising money for breast cancer research.

Even as a child, Fontaine knew he was destined for good things. He kept a clear head and continues to lead a clean lifestyle, free of drugs and alcohol. Success in football and sports in general has helped give him focus. Fontaine began playing football after he left Janvier in Grade 7 to live with an uncle in Fort McMurray.

“I was really good at it and it's been my life ever since," Fontaine says. "I’ve never stopped for one minute.” He even missed his graduation from Father Mercredi High School to compete for Team Alberta in the 2003 Football Canada Cup.

That was just the beginning for this talented linebacker who was recruited by the Edmonton Huskies to play in the Canadian Junior Football League. He played for that team for four years (2003 to 2006) and helped it to win two national championships in 2004 and 2005.

Fontaine had a number of universities vying for his attention, but selected Saint Mary’s because he knew the SMU defensive co-ordinator and a number of players. Majoring in criminology at SMU is also helping him work toward his dream career of being a firefighter.

SMU head football coach Steve Sumarah describes Fontaine as an intriguing young man, fantastic student and dedicated volunteer. “His goal is to be an academic All-Canadian,” Sumarah says. “Anytime you need him, he’s there for you.”

One of Fontaine’s greatest volunteer achievements was being a guest speaker at a youth volunteer recognition ceremony in Halifax earlier this year. He spoke about how volunteerism makes people's lives better.

“I felt pretty honoured to speak to kids who do what I do, but at a much younger age."

This page last modified Thursday, 13-Jan-2011 15:12:33 AST