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Janson Towers Gift Fund

To say former Okanagan Sun running back Janson Towers was an inspirational player would be an understatement.

In his short time with the Sun, Towers touched many players and coaches with his sheer determination and wonderful personality.

On August 11, 2007 in Week 4 of the season, during the fourth quarter of the Sun game against the Vancouver Trojans, Towers was hit and severely injured his knee. The general medical opinion was that he’d never walk without a limp ever again, let alone play football.

With his tremendous will and determination Towers embarked on a yearlong journey of surgeries, daily physio, and twice-daily gym workouts. His determination impressed everyone—doctors, therapists, coaches, teammates, friends and family—but his success simply amazed them.

413 days after his injury, Janson played for the first time on September 28, 2008 versus the very same Trojans. It was a personal victory, followed shortly thereafter by a very public one. At the 2008 Okanagan Sun team banquet, Janson was presented with The Marty Cullen Award for Most Inspirational Player.

Tragically, three days later he died in a motorcycle accident.

His spirit lives on within in the walls of the Okanagan Sun locker room as a picture that states “Forever Ballin” has been hung.

Towers’ family has begun the “Janson Towers Gift Fund” which will act as a scholarship here in 2014, awarded to one player each year.  The recipient much show perseverance, dedication and determination to overcome an obstacle, against all odds.

The scholarship will be awarded each year at the Okanagan Sun awards banquet.

For more information on the Janson Towers Gift Fund, click HERE ...