Craig Kouns of Zionsville was recently named the 22nd recipient of the Lionel Dubay Youth Sports Award, presented by the Community Foundation of Boone County.
The award was established in 1993 to honor Dubay’s legacy. Dubay was a supporter of youth sports in Zionsville, an active member of multiple sports organizations, including little league and youth soccer and was instrumental in starting youth football in Zionsville.
The award is presented each fall to someone who has made an ongoing commitment to Zionsville youth sports.
Kouns chose the Zionsville Athletic Boosters Club as the recipient of a $500 grant from the Lionel Dubay Youth Sports Award Fund in 2025. Kouns’ name will be added to the plaque that honors the award recipients, located at Zionsville Town Hall.
Kouns has been a lifelong supporter of Zionsville youth sports, starting with his own participation in local little league, youth baseball and youth football before moving on to football, baseball and track at Zionsville Community High School. He was an Indiana All-State defensive end in football in 1986 and held the ZCHS pole vaulting record for several years.
Kouns spent more than 30 years coaching seventh-grade girls basketball at ZMS and has kept the scorebook for the high school boys basketball team for three decades.
Nominations for the Lionel Dubay Youth Sport Award are reviewed by the CFBC Grants Committee, which determines the recipient, who then “pays it forward” by selecting a nonprofit organization that benefits youth sports to receive an unrestricted grant.
The Lionel Dubay Youth Sport Fund has contributed $8,500 over the past 22 years to Zionsville youth sports organizations.
Learn more about the award and the Community Foundation of Boone County at communityfoundationbc.org.
