At the age of 22, Frankie Gyamfi knew he was getting closer to achieving something very special to him – his graduation from Toronto's George Brown College.
What he didn't know was that two years later, on June 21, 2014 at Toronto General Hospital, the young man with a golden heart and a gift of caring for others, would die after being unable to beat a battle with cancer.
His friends, family, coaches and staff in the Department of Athletics and Recreation also knew that it wasn't just his talent for playing basketball that made him such a big hit, but his determination to get his Diploma.
While Gyamfi won't be at Convocation in June 2015, his family will be to receive and covet a Diploma in Business Administration awarded posthumously. It is believed to be the first time in the history of George Brown that the family of a Varsity athlete will receive the academic award under the circumstances.
"Education meant a great deal to Frankie and we are honoured to recognize his name, his determination and his contribution," said Ed Mark, Manager of Athletics and Recreation. "His family has been invited to attend and accept the Diploma – and to take with it our admiration and deepest respect for such a wonderful young man."
After hearing about the Diploma presentation, his 27-year old sister Bernice Gyamfi said the generosity of the George Brown College community has touched the entire family.
"This would have meant so much to (Frankie) and I can't think of the right words to describe what this means to our family," she said. "He worked so hard. He always wanted to graduate. He would always go to study groups because education was so important."
She said her mother Victoria and older brother Eric would attend Convocation.
"George Brown has done so much for us during this difficult time," she said. "I didn't think it was possible for such an overwhelming show of support and it will be something we remember for a very long time."
A talented basketball player, with a thirst for winning, Gyamfie returned to George Brown to complete his education, play some hoops, devote time to others who needed his help in the community and map out personal plans to do well in the world of business.
George Brown has also started a "Frankie Gyamfi Scholarship Memorial Fund" with details still to be finalized. A total of $423.00 was raised at "A Night To Remember", staged at the St. James Campus prior to a league basketball game that attracted one of the largest crowds to the Barbier gym in recent memory.
"It was an amazing an emotional night as young and old showed their respect to a wonderful young man who left us way to soon," said George Brown Men's basketball head coach Jonathan Smith. "His family was presented with his No. 4 shirt by Ricardo Brown and Akai Nettey, two of his former teammates, and with glow sticks to light up the gym, had a minute of silence for Frankie."
Smith confirmed that a basketball event, from Dec. 18 to 21 of this year, has been renamed the Frankie Gyamfi Memorial Tournament with gate receipts turned over to the scholarship fund. - DG
