Former NHLer’s generosity benefits Stingers
One of the penalty boxes at Concordia’s Ed Meagher Arena was recently named in honour of Robin Burns, in recognition of his generosity toward the Department of Recreation and Athletics — and his generous sense of humour.
“There are not a lot of people who have a penalty box named after them. Certainly it’s an honour for me!” says the former NHL hockey player, who turned pro with Montreal and then played with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Kansas City Scouts.
Burns developed his love of hockey into a highly successful business career as founder and president of ITECH. The company helped revolutionize hockey equipment, introducing facial protection in the mid-1980s and modernizing sports equipment. It later became part of global giant Bauer Hockey.
A native of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (N.D.G.), the neighbourhood that’s home to Concordia’s Loyola Campus and Ed Meagher Arena, Burns says, “I was lucky to grow up in N.D.G., where I could play in the parks and go on to play professional hockey.
“Sports have always played a major part in my life and to see a need at the university in that area, I felt I wanted to contribute,” says Burns.
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Concordia recognizes former NHLer Robin Burns for his generous gift to Concordia's Department of Recreation and Athletics | Photos: Keith Race
He made a substantial donation to the university’s Department of Recreation and Athletics.
“These are exciting times for the Stingers. Our culture is changing. We’re growing our programs and looking forward to contined investment in our student athletes and facilities,” says director of Recreation and Athletics Patrick Boivin.
“On behalf of our students, we thank Mr. Burns for choosing to invest in Concordia. His gift has gone a long way to advancing the Stingers and the Department of Recreation and Athletics,” he says.
“Gifts like this to the university make a huge difference to the life of our students, to the reputation of the university and to the community,” says Concordia President Alan Shepard.
On-ice unveiling of the Burns Box, named in honour of Robin Burns
Burns believes in the value of sport as part of the student experience. “Sports teach you tremendous life lessons. The better the facilities are, the easier it is to train and keep up with modern sports technology,” he says.
“Whether in athletics or in business, life is full of teamwork. Team sports teach you that losing is not always bad. You have to learn how to lose to truly appreciate winning. To me, it rounds out the whole body and mind,” says Burns.
Concordia honoured Burns in the presence of friends, family and Concordia community members at an intimate ceremony on January 22 at the Recreation and Athletics Complex. It was followed by an on-ice, red-carpet presentation by Shepard and Boivin before the Stingers faced off against the Carleton Ravens at the Ed Meagher Arena.
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