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On the weekend of October 18-19, a special memorial concert and basketball tournament will be held to celebrate the life of Lloyd “Mouse” Lawrence. This event aims to raise funds for a Basketball Scholarship Fund established in his name for students at Crawford Adventist Academy (main campus), where Lloyd coached both the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams, also known as Crawford Omega.

If you look at the walls of Crawford, you will see the legacy he left behind. The Omega teams achieved multiple championships under his guidance. The Omega Boys won six TDCAA titles from 2006 to 2023, while the Lady Omega squad secured four TDCAA titles from 2005 to 2015, including a three-peat from 2013 to 2015.

Coach Lloyd loved basketball, but most importantly, he encouraged his students to always believe in themselves and never give up, both on and off the court.

“Building a strong basketball program meant so much to Lloyd because basketball wasn’t just a sport to him; it was his passion. He studied the game, lived it, and believed that if you were going to be involved, you had to give it your very best,” said his sister Jean Lawrence-Scotland.

Through his coaching, Lloyd taught his players how to excel in every aspect of their lives, shaping them into well-rounded individuals who can achieve success both on and off the court.

Akeem Ambrose, the athletic director at Crawford Main Campus and a former player under Coach Lloyd in 2008, shares his experience:

"From him, I learned a great deal about discipline and the importance of having fun. Being disciplined, driven, and focused is essential. Often, I feel that kids and parents think sports are just about having fun. While sports are enjoyable, they also teach valuable life lessons and skills that subjects like Math, Science, and English cannot, such as perseverance, hard work, and teamwork. These are the lessons we learned from Coach Lawrence. He taught us to respect each other, our teammates, and the referees. It was a pleasure to have him in the Crawford family."

The basketball tournament will take place on October 19, with the tip-off scheduled for 10 AM at Crawford Main. On the 18th, a concert will take place at the Toronto Perth Seventh-day Adventist Church, featuring a variety of musical artists, including Faith Chorale. Lloyd was not only an original member but also the group's manager. Sharon Riley and Faith Chorale have blessed us with their music for 33 years and won a Juno Award for Best Gospel Album in 1998.

“Faith Chorale is honoured to celebrate our brother once again. Our heartfelt prayer is that this event not only honours his memory but also raises significant funds to support young people—something we know Lloyd would have wholeheartedly supported,” said Sharon Riley. “This incredible weekend is a true reflection of his legacy.”

Lloyd had a passion for music, basketball, and participating in a dominoes tournament following concerts, all of which contributed to fundraising for educational initiatives. Although his nickname was "Mouse" due to his shorter stature on the basketball court, that never stopped him from striving to be the best. This is a lesson he consistently shared with his students. The basketball and education scholarship established in his name continues to promote his vision of helping students succeed.

One of Lloyd's favourite passages was Philippians 4:11-13. Verse 13 resonates deeply: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This fundraising scholarship weekend will embody that message.

Chris Perrotte
OCN Reporter