Curtis McKay in the Kankakee Cavaliers' dugout.
The Dorchester native heads to the junior college to continue education
and play baseball in the American midwest
January 19, 2022
By Rob J. Ross
DORCHESTER, Ont. - Curtis McKay is taking his resume full of baseball championships to the prairie state.
The Dorchester native is heading to Kankakee Community College (KCC), in Kankakee, Illinois, just south of Chicago, to continue his education and baseball career.
"Kankakee for me was the perfect fit," said McKay, who plays at first and third base.
"I wanted to go somewhere, where I would be able to play right away instead of sitting my first couple years. Also I wanted to go somewhere with a winning ball program that I could help contribute to a national championship. KCC checked those boxes off for me."
Curtis McKay in the Kankakee Cavaliers' dugout.
The Kankakee Cavaliers are in region four of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II. In 2017, Kankakee won the NJCAA Division II World Series. The Cavaliers finished third in 2021.
"I went for a visit to KCC in November and when I met the coaching staff, I was blown away on their knowledge of all aspects of the game of baseball," said McKay.
"The coaches made me feel that I would grow as not only as an athlete, but a student and young man when attending KCC."
With Kankakee being a two year school, McKay will be taking general classes, until transferring to a four year school, where he intends on majoring in sports management.
"Kankakee has a very nice campus with all the resources I need to continue my academics."
McKay attended Lord Dorchester for Grades nine and 10, before transferring to London CCH for Grades 11 and 12, to enrol in the Leaders in Exercise and Athletics Program (LEAP) led by Wendy Glover.
The Great Lake Canadians have been McKay's baseball home for the past three years. McKay started playing ball at age four with the Dorchester Diamondbacks, before moving on to the London Badgers.
"Some influential people who have helped me get to where I am today are my brother (Connor) and friends, for always supporting me through the thick and thin," McKay said.
"My (GLC) coaches for always believing in me and making me the player I am today. And most importantly, my parents (Jeff and Chris McKay), for all the sacrifices they made to help me achieve my dream of playing college baseball."
McKay's most memorable games are the numerous championship finals.
His resume includes five Ontario Baseball Association titles, three with the Badgers and two with Dorchester, and three Canadian Premier Baseball League championships with Great Lake. McKay also has a bronze medal, from the 2016 13U National tournament.
Now McKay hopes to help bring a championship to Kankakee.
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