Kyle Curtis Coaching Durham Lords Men’s Sixes Lacrosse

By Mark Stehlin

It’s the dawn of the new Men’s Sixes Lacrosse program at Durham College and Kyle Curtis has been handed the keys to steer the team in its inaugural season. Four teams comprise the “pilot program”. In addition to Durham College, the Ontario College Athletics Association (OCAA) has named Mohawk College, Fleming College and Humber College as the schools that will play this Fall.

“I heard that Durham was starting a lacrosse program and I was introduced to the Athletic Director at the school, we had a conversation and they offered me the head coaching job. I am thankful for the opportunity and am working hard to bring success to the program. I am joined on the sidelines by two friends, Ben Utrosa and Jeff Fernandes both of whom played lacrosse at high levels in Durham Region,” said Curtis.

The surname Curtis is well-recognized in the local lacrosse  community. His father, Calvin was the President of the Brooklin Redmen when they last hoisted the Mann Cup in 2000 and is the current General Manager of the Whitby Warriors Jr C team. His mother, Roxanne is a retired Durham District School Board teacher and lacrosse coach. She was inducted into the Whitby Sports Hall of Fame in 2024.  Kyle's younger brother, Connor, is a captain on the Trent University Men’s Lacrosse team and coaches the Whitby Warriors Junior C team.

- photo supplied by Kyle Curtis

The OCAA launched this lacrosse sixes pilot to include four weekends of play, with each school hosting a mini-tournament weekend. On Sunday October 18, 2026 fans are encouraged to descend on Vaso’s Field on the campus of Durham College. The school will host all four teams. At 11:00 am Durham takes on Mohawk College, followed at 3:00 pm when the hosts battle Fleming College. Curtis is excited about the day and expects the school and larger community to turn up in good numbers.

“We are dedicating this first season to the memory of Tucker Williams and the family's Braver than Brave campaign. We also made the decision that the captain of the team each season will wear the # 51", explained Curtis.

Brooklin Lacrosse Club (BLC) fans have a close connection to that particular jersey number. Tucker’s father, Shawn is a Redmen legend who wore that number for years. His son, Tucker’s older brother, Dyson, carries on the tradition with that number on his jersey for BLC.

“The school has been very supportive of the program since day one. As we are a pilot, we arranged open try-outs in August and about 25 players came out. We can dress a roster of 15 players and so we landed on 16 total players for the season. We have local talent from Whitby, Oshawa and Clarington on the team and many have solid lacrosse backgrounds,” said Curtis.

“We are 1-1 on the season with our first win coming against Fleming by a final score of 14-4,” added Curtis.

Curtis looks forward to seeing what the team can achieve for the rest of this season. He is working hard to bring excitement to the Durham College sports scene and plans to solidify the sport in the school's athletic calendar going forward.