Throwback Thursday (Jan 7)

Jean Gardner Grant, Athlete: Track and Field

Jean made her first significant impression at the Maritime Track and Field Championships held at the Wanderers Grounds on June 21, 1929.  At this competition, Jean’s strong performance earned her one gold and two silver medals.  The gold medal came in the baseball throw while her efforts in the javelin and the 880 yard walk produced silver medals.  That same year she was awarded the Dalhousie Gold “D” for track and field.  Of significance, she became only the second Dalhousie female track athlete to be so recognized.

In her sophomore year at Dalhousie, Jean had strong results at the 1930 Halifax Ladies Athletic Club Meet.  At this meet, she won the championship in the baseball throw when she recorded a throw of 161 feet into a strong head wind.  This was just 12 feet under the then Canadian record for the event at that time.  Jean’s performance also merited second place awards in both the javelin and discus events.  Later in 1930, she established the record for the javelin with an 80-foot, 11-inch toss.

It was in her junior and senior years at Dalhousie that Jean truly became noted as one of the elite track and field athletes in the Maritimes.  In the spring of 1931, she took first place honours in both the javelin and discus events and established Maritime records in the process.  In the fall of 1931, at the meet that Aileen Meagher first attracted the notice of the sports world, Jean’s performance merited first place honours in the baseball throw, the discus and the javelin.  In the process, she established two new Maritime records, one of which came in the javelin where she broke her own record.  Just after her graduation from Dalhousie in May of 1932, Jean once again broke her Maritime record in the javelin. 

Jean continued her participation in track and field through to 1935 when she competed at the Sydney Nova Scotia 150^th Anniversary Meet, a competition in which her performance produced three medals.  It is interesting to note that all of her outstanding achievements in athletics came at a time when women’s participation in elite sport was neither highly encouraged nor recognized.

While studying at Dalhousie Jean organized and coached summer girls softball teams as part of her employment with the Halifax Playgrounds.  She competed in the Nova Scotia Tennis Championship tournaments for several years.  A top student, Jean sang with the Dalhousie Chorale and played violin in the Dalhousie orchestra.

She began her teaching career at Morris Street School in Halifax in the fall of 1932.  While teaching, she wrote a regular column for the Halifax Herald with her own byline titled “Women’s Sport News,” later renamed “Women’s Sportlight”.  At Dalhousie and later as a member of the Halifax Ladies Athletic Club, Jean enjoyed competition with teammates and rivals like Gertrude Phinney, Marion Eaton, Jean Fraser, Josie Lava and Aileen Meagher.

Jean later taught senior English at Guysborough Municipal High School, in the community where she and her husband raised their three sons and a daughter.

Jean Gardner Grant was one of the top athletes in track and field in the Maritimes and Dalhousie is pleased to include her as an inaugural inductee of the Dalhousie University Sport Hall of Fame.

Andrew MacKay, Athlete: Basketball & Football

Of the Honourable W. Andrew (Andy) MacKay it was said, “Truly a gentleman, a great athlete and a brilliant student.”Andy, as his classmates knew him during his studies at Dalhousie, embodied the qualities that best represent that perfect balance of academic achievement, sport acumen and extracurricular involvement.

Andy entered Dalhousie in the fall of 1947. As the son of Professor MacKay, a former member of the Dalhousie faculty, Andy was no stranger to the University and embraced campus life right away. He gained immediate popularity and was promptly elected Frosh President. If he wasn’t busy enough balancing academic life with sports and extracurricular activities, he still had time to work for The Gazette as the sports editor in his early years at Dal. Andy gave much to his alma mater through his work on the student council, the Dalhousie Amateur Athletic Club (DAAC) and his participation in athletics. He played five years with both the football and basketball varsity teams, was voted MVP of the football league and was a Climo Award winner as Dal’s top male athlete.

Andy was passionate about two sports during his time at Dalhousie - football and basketball. In both sports he was able to excel. He was a member of Dal’s junior basketball team when they won the Maritime Junior Championship and as quarterback for the newly formed football team, he helped bring the coveted Purdy’s Cup for the conference championship to Dal for the first time.

Football

Andy quarterbacked and played defence with the football team from 1948-52 and also served as team captain. He joined the varsity football team in only their second season of competition, one year after the team became part of the Canadian Football League.  At that time, most team members had just one or two years of football experience under their belt.

The biggest game of the season in 1948 was between Dalhousie and the Stadacona Navy. The Dalhousie backfield made up of Andy MacKay and Paul Lee was called the fastest in the league. Expecting the greatest turn out of fans yet for a football event, with 1000 tickets available for Dal students alone, The Gazette called it the, “greatest game of Canadian football ever played east of Montreal.” Dalhousie won the contest 15-12.

Team practices bring back fond memories for Andy. “In those days Wickwire Field didn’t exist and Studley was just under construction. We practiced on what is now the chemistry building. There were no lights, so we played in the dark if we had to.”

The Tigers opened the 1951 season with a win over defending champions, the Wanderers. The win was termed an upset but it was obvious that the Tigers were off on the right foot. With each game and each succeeding win, football fever at Dalhousie soared.

The excitement on campus was palpable; The Gazette reported on the practice conditions the team had to endure, “The swirling snow and blustery gales of winter swept the field as the Dal football Tigers completed their final week of practice prior to the big game at Studley this Saturday.”

It took five years, but in the fall of 1951 in the final game against Shearwater, the Tigers “brought home the bacon” winning the Purdy Cup, the symbol of Halifax Canadian Football supremacy. 

Basketball

Andy also excelled in basketball, starting with the junior team and then with the varsity team from 1947-52. His first big win in basketball was as a member of the junior team in 1948 when Dalhousie won the City League Championship and went on to the Maritime Junior Basketball Championship. MacKay was playing his usual standout, defensive style of play and led the team to the championship win over Saint John. The Maritime title earned the team a spot in the Canadian championship in Montreal, a remarkable feat for a young Dal team.

Andy was named co-captain of the varsity basketball team in 1949, holding the team together as a consistent, strong leader and talented player.  He was also named the 1948-49 Climo Award recipient as the Dalhousie male athlete who best combined athletic ability, clean sportsmanship and team spirit. At this point, he had two years of varsity basketball and one year of Canadian university football under his belt. Showcasing his general popularity among the student population, Andy was also crowned the new Campus King during Munro Days!

Andy was an unstoppable force on and off the football field and basketball courts.  His involvement also encompassed many other areas of school life.

He devoted a great deal of time to the Dalhousie Amateur Athletics Club, serving as a board member for two years and president for one. He was president of the freshman year class (1947), Chairman of Initiation (1948), a member of Student Council (1949-51), Munroe Day Chairman (1949), a member of the debating team (1952), President of the Arts and Science Society (1949) and served as a Member-at-Large on the student council (1951-52).

Upon graduating with a law degree in 1953, Andy MacKay went on to hold various positions including Professor and Dean of the Dalhousie Law School, Vice-President, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Interestingly, it was during his term as President of the University from 1980-86 that the construction and opening of the new Memorial Arena took place.

The Honourable W. Andrew MacKay is a former judge of the Federal Court of Canada and a distinguished jurist. He was admitted to the Bar of Nova Scotia in 1954 and appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1972. From 1967-86, he was Chair of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission and was the Ombudsman for Nova Scotia from 1986-88.

MacKay was appointed Judge of the Federal Court of Canada, Trial Division, ex-officio member of the Court of Appeal and Judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada in 1988. After retiring as a judge in 2004, MacKay served as Deputy Judge of the Federal Court from 2004-07.

For all these reasons, we are here today to induct the Honourable W. Andrew MacKay into the Dalhousie Sport Hall of Fame.

Scott Henderson, Athlete: Basketball & Football

When Scott Henderson graduated from Dalhousie with his Bachelor of Law degree in 1953, an oft-used quote accompanied his picture and short bio reading “Actions speak louder than words.” No statement could be more appropriate for describing Scott, a dedicated multi-sport athlete at Dalhousie who let his play speak for him. A Tiger who played alongside some other big names, and just prior to many more, Scott Henderson helped to set the standard of excellence expected of those who would don the Black and Gold.

From 1948 to 1952 Scott was a starting player for the men’s varsity basketball team and in 1951-52 he was co-captain of the team. Described as a “spectacular guard,” Scott always found ways to contribute to the team success. This includes leading the Tigers back from 17 points down to win 55-54 in the final minute over Acadia to capture a Halifax and District senior basketball title. In 1950 he was part of the Halifax All-Star team that took on powerful St. Francis Xavier University. Later in his basketball career, he would lead the way for Dalhousie against another nationally dominant team from St.FX. In February of 1952 Scott scored 17 points to lead the Tigers over the X-Men and end their much heralded winning streak at 24 games. Scott could be counted upon to play steady, and always found something extra to give in important games. It was also while on a basketball trip, bumping a teammate out of the seat next to her, that Scott met his wife to be Jans Wilson, a star Dalhousie athlete in her own right.

The gridiron of Canadian football provided another venue for Scott to create more memorable moments. A stalwart backfield point scorer who, like most from his day, played both offense and defense, Scott was a key performer for the football Tigers from 1946 to 1953. Known for his dangerous speed, the team often relied on him for point production.  One can imagine his play when reading descriptions of a game versus the Wanderers in 1950 that appeared in the papers as “Most exciting play of the game was a twisting, dodging, driving run by Scott Henderson from Dalhousie’s 50-yard line to the Wanderers goal zone. He went over with Murray Malloy wrapped around his ankles, both sliding across the goal line.” Another description describes the action as “…twisted out of the grasp of Don Burlton, reeled past the Wanders secondary and outraced Peatros and Malloy to the goal line.” Player of the Game honours went to Scott that day, despite a one-point Dalhousie loss.

Since Canadian football was a relatively new sport, there were many ups and downs during Scott’s time at Dalhousie. The Tigers developed a reputation as a dangerous offensive team who paired that with solid defending which lead to many exciting games, regardless of the outcome.  A highlight of the team’s success came in 1951 when the Tigers captured the Purdy Cup, which at that time was awarded to the champion of the Halifax City Canadian Football League.

The 1952 football season produced much excitement not only for Dalhousie, but Halifax as well. The league was closely contested from start to finish and included an exhibition game versus Royal Military College from Ontario played in front of over 2,300 paying fans. In October Scott played an outstanding game against Cornwallis his efforts producing three interceptions and four touchtowns! It was in this season that Scott received recognition for his football skills as he was awarded the inaugural Mike Milovick Memorial Trophy as the leagues’ highest scorer. In the 1952 season Scott scored 11 touchdowns in 8 games for a total of 55 points. As described in the local newspaper, “This would seem to indicate that the sturdy young man with the springy legs is the league’s best ball carrier. You could say that. Others may run a bit faster.  Some may be more spectacular. But for consistent ball-carrying, you’d have to rate Henderson at the top of the list.”

Despite often keeping the fans on the edge of their seats, Scott was never an outspoken or flashy athlete; he let his performances speak for him. As a Dalhousian, Scott was awarded the Climo Award for Dalhousie’s Top Male Athlete for the 1949-50 season, and received a Gold “D” in 1952 for three years of outstanding contribution to Dalhousie Athletics.

Following in the footsteps of his parents, the late Dr. and Mrs. R. Smith Henderson, who in 1951 were honoured with a special “fan support” award after attending just about every Dalhousie sporting event that year, Scott was a avid fan after his competitive days were over. A loyal member of the Dalhousie Black and Gold Club, he rarely missed games at Dalhousie, or to watch his children and grandchildren play at their respective schools. In fact could often be found shooting hoops with his grandchildren while he was in his seventies.

It is a privilege to honour Scott Henderson’s contributions to sport at Dalhousie with induction into the Dalhousie University Sports Hall of Fame.

Reginald Cluney, Athlete: Football

Football fans in the early 1950’s watched with anticipation to see what Reg Cluney would do next on the field. A talented athlete, Reg attributes his success to a little bit of luck and lots of hard work.

Born and raised in Halifax, Reg was interested in football from a very young age. He attended St. Patricks High School and came to Dalhousie on his father’s advice with the hopes of getting into law school. Enrolling in Dalhousie’s arts program in 1949, Reg joined the Tigers football team and despite not playing in a single game that first season his determination to succeed on the field kept him going.

Reg’s patience and hard work paid off with a starting role the following season. A versatile athlete, Reg played many positions for the football team over the years. His career began as a flying wing, now called a flanker, before he became a running back and then the team quarter back. A two-way player, Reg also played defensive halfback and was the team’s go-to kicker. Although this was not uncommon at the time, it was rare that an athlete played a full 60-minute game as Reg did.

A two-year captain, Reg’s talent and leadership steered the Tigers to the Halifax City Canadian Football League Purdy Cup Championship in both 1951 and 1954. In 1951 he was awarded the Duffus trophy as the league’s Most Valuable Player and in 1954 he was named the Purdy Cup Championship MVP. He was also named the team’s Most Valuable Player twice.

One of Reg’s best memories of the football team was beating StFX in the 1954 Purdy Cup championship game. The Tigers were the underdogs and had previously lost 35-7, but Dalhousie put everything on the line to best the X-Men on home turf in Antigonish. The 1954-55 season Dalhousie honoured Reg as the Male Athlete of the Year.

While at Dalhousie Reg served one year as the Dalhousie Ameature Athletic Club president in 1953. He also played junior varsity and varsity basketball for two seasons each. Despite his general interest in sports, Reg’s love was for football and it was apartent to everyone who watched him play. The Dalhousie Gazette student newspaper reported that ‘Reg played inspired football.’ The leading kicker for his team, Reg still remains third overall in the Dalhousie football record books, despite playing during a time when touchdowns were only worth five points.

After graduating from Dalhousie’s law program in 1955 and working for McInnis Cooper for over 50 years, Reg retired in 2007.  He remained involved with the Tigers football program as a coach until 1960 and recently assisted in bringing football back to Dalhousie as a club sport.

Barb Clancy Drover, Athlete: Badminton, Field hockey & Volleyball

The committee making the selection for the inaugural Class of ’55 Award for the best female athlete at Dalhousie set the bar high. The award was established to be presented to the Dalhousie female student who best embodied the qualities of athletic ability, fair play and team spirit. Barb Clancy was just the talented multi-sport athlete and student the committee was looking for. Barb excelled in all aspects of her experience at Dalhousie; she was the perfect choice.

Arriving at Dalhousie in 1952, Barb was anxious to get involved in sport. She was immediately selected as the Freshette representative on the Dalhousie Girl’s Athletic Club.  This campus involvement in the administration of women’s sport continued for Barb throughout her time at Dal. She eventually became the Secretary Treasure in 1953-54 and President in 1954-55.

A real “doer” in her time at Dal, Barb also served as the secretary of her class in 1953 and was the 1954-55 Pharmacy Society Representative in the annual Munro Day Campus Queen contest.

In her first year at Dalhousie, Barb was involved with badminton, playing as part of the doubles team that represented the university at the provincial championship.

Her first athletic love however, was basketball. She was named to the varsity women’s basketball team and played an important role in the teams’ offence. She was noted several times in Gazette game reports for playing a solid role in the Tigers’ game. That year the team defeated Acadia 59-33 and 66-38 for the Nova Scotia Intermediate Senior Ladies Basketball Title. The team went on to win game one versus UNB of a two-game total point series for the Maritime Championship, 47-27.

In 1953 Barb’s athletic interests expanded to include field hockey. This was another area for sporting success as Barb was part of a talented team that went undefeated through the season including the playoffs to claim the intercollegiate championship for the third consecutive year.

As fall turned to winter, Barb returned to the hardwood and started with a bang as she scored a game high 12 points in a 43-19 win to open the season. The team played a solid season racking up wins over UNB, Acadia and Mount Allison on route to a second consecutive intercollegiate championship.

The 1954-55 year got off to a great start. Barb was an instrumental part of the field hockey team’s success. She scored many important goals that year, perhaps none more important than the two she scored to win the Nova Scotia Championship. In the two-game Maritime Championship series, the Tigers came up a bit short. Barb scored an important goal in game one to tie (2-2), but the team was unable to score in game two and lost 1-0 to Mount Allison.

This year also marked the introduction of women’s volleyball at Dalhousie. Despite her lack of experience with the game, Barb thought she would try her hand at that sport as well. With a solid group of athletes and a competitive spirit, the team earned a second place finish at the Maritime Championship.

The basketball team was once again winning in 1954-55 also. Barb, as usual, was the leader and a scoring threat in all the games. She earned nearly half the points (23) in a city league game to defeat the powerhouse Tartans, 51-36.

Barb had some heart-stopping moments through her sports career at Dal. She dramatically hit the desperation shot on February 10, 1955 to put the Tigers over the top against Mount Allison, 34-32. In the City Title championship game Barb scored 14 of Dalhousie’s 28 points in a 28-22 victory and contributed 13 points in the 36-21 Maritime championship game victory. This would mark the third year in a row the Tigers were MIAU Champions.

Prior to this year, the Marjorie Award was the only award available for overall women’s performance in athletics. This award however also had requirements outside of the field of play and did not recognize athletic performance to the same degree as the Climo Award did for the men of Dalhousie. With the inaugural presentation of the Class of ’55 Award to Barb Clancy, Dalhousie women had an athletic award on par in terms of prestige and recognition for athletic achievement with that of the men. A more fitting person could not have been selected; Barb’s presence on the roster seemed to indicate that the team was a winner, or at the very least, a favourite to win.

An excellent example of the kind of person that Dalhousie produces, it is only fitting that Barb Clancy become part of the Dalhousie Sport Hall of Fame.

Gordon Rankin, Athlete: Basketball & Football

Gordon S. (Gord) Rankin was one of the most decorated and well-liked Dalhousie athletes in the 1950’s. An incredible athlete, Gordon provided superb leadership and motivation to his teammates on both the basketball (1953-57) and football teams (1954-56).

A Halifax native, Gordon entered Dalhousie’s commerce program in 1953 and immediately joined the varsity basketball team. Gordon’s family notes that basketball was his favourite and best sport, providing him with passion for the game. By his second year with the team Gordon was already a starter and quickly became the Tigers leading scorer, which he remained for the rest of his time with the team. Gordon also led the basketball squad in his role as team captain for two seasons (1955-57).

Gordon had a love of sport and his craving for more brought him to join the varsity football team in 1954. He had never played in a football game before, but quickly found his feet and became an irreplaceable leader on the team. During his first year with the football squad he secured the starting positions of offensive centre and defensive linebacker. His talent and skill on the field greatly assisted the team in capturing the coveted 1954 Purdy Cup Championship.

During the 1955 season Gordon was selected as team captain and held the title for his last two seasons with Dalhousie.

At the culmination of the 1955 season Gordon was honoured with the Halifax Limited Trophy, awarded to the league’s most outstanding lineman. This award was incredibly special for Gordon not only for its prestigious title, but also because it was chosen by the players. As a testament to his individual talent, he was selected for the award even though the Tigers finished without a single win that season. In the 1956 season Gordon was honoured with a selection to the league’s offensive and defensive all-star teams.

Over his career he earned three football letters, four basketball letters and a gold D for his commitment to the Tiger teams during his time at Dalhousie. In 1957 Gordon was named Dalhousie’s Climo Award winner as the university’s male athlete of the year.

Gordon’s 1954 Purdy Cup Championship team was one of two teams that were part of the University’s inaugural induction to the Dalhousie Sport Hall of Fame in 2004.

Gordon is remembered by friends and family not only for his athletic prowess, but also for his positive influence on others and for his encouragement and enthusiasm on the field and in the locker room. For his incredible leadership we honour Gordon Rankin by inducting him into Dalhousie’s Sport Hall of Fame.

Ted Wickwire, Athlete: Football & Basketball

If the field and court could talk…oh, the stories they would tell.

They would talk of the football and basketball legend, Ted Wickwire.

Frederick B. “Ted” Wickwire began his university career at Dalhousie in 1956. That autumn, Ted suited up for his first football game as a starting cornerback. During that game the quarterback suffered a serious injury. The result was bittersweet as rookie Ted assumed the quarterback position and did not relinquish his post through six seasons of varsity football.

During his rookie year (1956-57), the football Tigers did not win a game. Yet, the stands were full of cheering fans out to catch a glimpse of the perseverance and determination of the young team. Ted’s individual efforts were recognized by the Nova Scotia Canadian Football League as he was runner-up for Most Valuable Rookie honours.

It wasn’t until October 5, 1957 when the team’s hard work paid off. Dalhousie recorded a 39-6 victory over the Greenwood Bombers, breaking a 10-game, two-year losing streak. Ted and company never looked back. Ted was the passing and running star, alongside friend and fellow inductee, runningback great, Peter Corkum. The team became a force to be reckoned with and finished second to eventual league champs, the Shearwater Flyers.

The following year (1958-59), Ted, scored one touchdown and passed for another in a game against Stadacona. That effort propelled the team into the league semifinals. Dalhousie finished the season after being edged into a semifinal loss again at the hands of the Shearwater Flyers. The two-game total point series was a heartbreaking 28-20 deficit for the Tigers.

The team continued to improve into the 1959-60 season, the senior year of Ted’s undergraduate program. Again, Dalhousie faced Stadacona, this time in the league semifinal. The Tigers were victorious and advanced to the league’s championship game. Unfortunately, they fell victim to StFX, a team that would be the eventual national champions; a first for the Atlantic conference.

Ted’s exceptional play and leadership during the 1959-60 season resulted in the conference’s highest honour. He was awarded the Duffus Trophy as the Atlantic Football Conference (AFC)’s most valuable player. Also, Ted was runner-up for this award the following year.

Ted’s final season (1961-62) saw Dalhousie continue to be a leading force in the AFC. In the final game of his career, he went 15-31 for 142 yards and ran four times for 56 yards. Despite a third place league finish, Dalhousie’s superstar Ted was outstanding.

Ted’s university football career included rushing for 1100 yards and leading the conference by passing for over 4000 yards. He scored 42 points in league competition. Twice, Ted won the Little Trophy awarded to Dalhousie’s most valuable football player (1960-61, 1961-62). He also took home the Climo Award (1959-60), the highest athletic award that can be bestowed on a male Dalhousie student. The award is presented annually to the male who best displays outstanding athletic ability, sportsmanship and team spirit. Ted is remembered as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play in Maritime football.

The University honoured Ted and Peter, the living legends, at a ceremony following their last game of varsity football at Dalhousie. It was officially declared that November 11, 1961 was “Corkum and Wickwire Day,” marking the end of an era of football at Dalhousie.

On the court, Ted wore the black and gold for four varsity basketball seasons. In his rookie year (1956-57), Ted scored 28 points against Acadia only to out-do his own record the following year (1957-58) by scoring an unprecedented 42 points in a single playoff match against Saint Mary’s, putting Dalhousie in the conference championship final. He managed to accomplish these individual feats while being recognized as a superb team player, always willing to pass the ball.

Ted had a quiet modesty over his individual achievements. He was more eager to talk about Dalhousie’s 1959 basketball upset of StFX. The 56-55 score broke a five-year losing streak against the X-Men.

Other Dalhousie awards bestowed on Ted include a Silver “D” award for his rookie efforts in football and basketball in 1956-57 followed by a Gold “D” in 1958-59. Ted was also honoured with a First Engraving “D” in 1960-61. The monogrammed placards were presented for years of outstanding contribution to Dalhousie athletics.

Ted graduated from Dalhousie in 1959 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. He was later admitted to the bar after receiving a Bachelor of Law degree in 1962.

Ted has served his community and his alma mater well. He was involved with numerous athletic organizations and councils at Dalhousie including three years as Chairman of the Advisory Council on Athletics and 13 years on the University’s Board of Governors. He also volunteered his time and shared his expertise with many professional associations related to his profession. In 1978, Ted was appointed the prestigious honour of Queen’s Council. In 1990, Ted was elected president of the Barrister’s Society and, in 1991, he was presented the Weldon Law Award for unselfish public service.

In 1993, by unanimous vote, the University’s Board of Governors renamed Studley Field, Wickwire Memorial Field, as it is known today. A commemorative plaque dedicated to Ted greets players, coaches and visitors upon entry to Wickwire Field.

Ted is remembered as an outstanding team player not only in sport but within his community. He set a great example of integrity, determination and spirit. It is an honour to recognize Ted’s exemplary contribution to athletics at Dalhousie by inducting him with the inaugural class of the Dalhousie University Sport Hall of Fame.

Peter Corkum, Athlete: Football & Hockey

A lot can be said for athletes that exemplify determination, integrity and sportsmanship. When these characteristics are associated with an athlete throughout a 50-year career (and counting), Peter Corkum’s athletic prestige goes without saying.

As a student athlete at Dalhousie, Peter was on the varsity rosters for both football and hockey. It was an exciting time for football at Dalhousie in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Peter‘s contribution to the legend started with the Nova Scotia Football League’s Rookie of the Year honours in 1957 and continued through five years of football that ended in 1961 with a Dalhousie record and a declaration. At that time he was the highest scoring player in Dalhousie’s football history and the University recognized Peter and the late Ted Wickwire by declaring November 11, 1961 “Corkum and Wickwire Day.”

Peter tested every position on the football field before settling in at running back. His player statistics report gaining 2,199 yards in 357 carries for an average of 6.2 yards per carry. He caught 27 passes for 316 yards. His 172-point scoring career was the best Dalhousie had ever seen. But Peter’s contribution to the football Tigers ran deeper than the numbers. For the 1961-62 season, Peter was awarded Dalhousie’s Climo Trophy and the Neil MacKinnon Trophy. The former was awarded to the male athlete of the year who most represented athletic ability, sportsmanship and team spirit, the latter for most outstanding in integrity and sportsmanship. Peter also earned Dalhousie’s Little Award for most outstanding football player for the 1959 season.

In 1958-59 and 1960-61, Peter was presented the Silver “D” and Gold “D” in respective years. The Gold “D” was a prestigious athletic award presented for three years of outstanding individual varsity performance. Similarly the Silver “D” was presented following two years of the aforementioned contributions. Peter graduated from Dalhousie University in 1961 with a Diploma in Engineering.

Outside of his varsity commitments, Peter found time to excel in golf and curling. He earned a 3-handicap during many years of play at the old Ashburn Golf Club. A most noteworthy year was 1964 when Peter recorded a score of 64 on the par 67 Ashburn course followed by 5 consecutive par rounds.

In 1965, Peter’s curling foursome earned the right to represent Nova Scotia at the Canadian championships. They repeated the feat in 1967 and 1970. He also represented Nova Scotia at the Canadian senior men’s championships in 1992, 1993, 1997 and 2003. Although still an avid player, Peter’s highest curling honours came as a coach. In his fifteenth year as a high-level curling coach, Peter coached the Dacey rink to a world curling bronze medal this past season. As the previous coach of Colleen Jones’ championship rink, Peter remains the only person to have coached a men’s and women’s team at the world level.

With a list of accomplishments long enough to warrant retirement many times over, Peter is still at it with the fire in his eye of a true competitor and the sparkle of a true sportsman. It is an honour to recognize this outstanding athlete in the Dalhousie University Sport Hall of Fame.

William Stanish, Athlete: Football & Hockey

Throughout his impressive 35-year sports medicine career, Dr. Bill Stanish has been awarded many honours. With his induction to the Dalhousie University Sports Hall of Fame, this time it is not the doctor we are looking to honour, but the student-athlete and young man who was the base for all that was to come. This fiery athlete who developed on the campus, the gridiron and the ice, as a Dalhousie Tiger, is just as impressive as the prominent orthopedic surgeon who stands before you today.

Arriving in Halifax in 1963, Bill earned a spot on the varsity football team as a halfback. He played an important role in that squads’ first game, a season opening win, scoring a second half touchdown that ended an 18-game losing that streak dated back to 1960. This earned him a mention in the Gazette following the game, a notable feat for a rookie.

Over the next four seasons on the field Bill offered many special performances for Tiger fans. A backfield player, Bill was always a leader, often involved in orchestrating the few bright spots the football team enjoyed during those times. With few regulations around athlete “support”, the Tigers of the day were not competing on a level field with many of their opponents. Despite the disparity, the team always worked hard and with Bill as a captain in his last three years, and team MVP in 1964, there were some truly memorable moments. Included in these are playing as quarterback in the “Mud Bowl’ of 1964 where they narrowly lost to powerhouse UNB, and three touchdowns versus St. Dunstans in 1964 as a running back. Perhaps most notable was the five touchdown performance against Acadia in 1965 that earned him CIAU Athlete of the Week honours.

Bill Stanish seemed to shine for first impressions and fresh starts. Under new football coaches in the season opener of his final year versus the Dartmouth Vikings, a 62-0 romp, it was truly the Bill Stanish show as he earned five touchdowns and tossed a two point conversion. The October 6, 1966 Gazette heralded the teams’ performance with special mention of Bill Stanish and his “dynamic leadership and exciting ability”. Bill’s football career had an unfortunate ending in 1966 when a shoulder separation in his final football game, a controversial tie with Acadia, kept him out most of the second half. But in classic Stanish fashion he refused to leave the field and like a true leader stayed with the team until the end.

A two-sport athlete, at the conclusion of the football season each year, Bill would lace up the blades and patrol the ice for the Tigers during the winter months. Bill’s first game with the hockey team, similarly to his first with the football team, was also a win, a 4-3 decision over SMU in which he again displayed his talents, earning an assist and scoring a goal. Most hockey game reports of the day also had mention of Bill Stanish, scoring, assisting on goals, or being a bright spot for the Tigers. Always among the team leaders in scoring, Bill was as tenacious as they came. The fiery and competitive nature that drove Bill to score goals also led him to the top of the league’s leader board for penalty minutes. His ability to distract and compete with such hard-nosed intensity once earned him an escort from the ice to the dressing room in a match up against Acadia.

The venue was different, but Bill’s leadership abilities were still prominent. He was captain of the hockey team for three seasons, and was the first to captain both the football and hockey teams in the same season in 1965, duties he would again carry out in 1966.

As an inspiring team leader, it is no surprise that Bill received individual recognition. Twice he was selected as the top male athlete at Dalhousie, receiving the Climo Award in 1964-65 and again 1966-67, which was the first time there was a repeat award winner. In recognition of his achievements Bill was also recognized as Dalhousie’s Most Inspirational Athlete in 1967, a citation that merited a special page in the Pharos that year.

Having delved into the past, it is easy to see where the Bill Stanish of today developed out of Bill Stanish, the varsity athlete. His desire to be the best and to work hard to bounce back after adversity are attitudes and skills that were honed as a Dalhousie Tiger. When asked how much of his sporting experiences meant in laying the foundation for what was to come, he responded with a single word answer, “Everything!” A true Dalhousian, Bill can still be seen attending university competitions and is passionate about the student-athletes of today, who he sees as the leaders of tomorrow.

Margaret (Muir) Langley, Athlete: Field Hockey & Basketball

Sometimes mother knows best. That is certainly the opinion of Dalhousie with regards to Margie (Muir) Langley. While all of her friends were looking at Acadia, there was no choice in the Muir household – Margie was headed for Dalhousie.

When this Truro native arrived on campus, she was already a talented multi-sport athlete, who had a love for sport. Margie was instilled with this ‘love of the game’ attitude by her first physical education teacher in grade school, Toni Proyer, and her father Dr. James Alexander Muir, a former Dalhousie runner and winner of the Malcolm Honor and 15-year one mile record holder. They can be credited for helping develop her desire to be as good as she could be. The sense of accomplishment felt when she was first able to win a ping-pong game versus her father is one that never left her; she would strive for and realize this sense of accomplishment many times in her athletic pursuits.

Margie arrived at Dalhousie in 1964 at a time when female athletes were not recruited, but rather teams were comprised of walk-ons responding to advertisements in The Gazette and notices around campus. If you were interested, you showed up. Well, young Muir had never played field hockey, but with her love of sport she decided to give it a try. It took Margie just three short seasons of field hockey, a sport which she had previously never played, to earn team most valuable player honours in 1967. She was also selected to the eastern Canadian team roster to attend the national championship in Toronto in that same season. A stalwart defender in the field, she led the Dalhousie squad to undefeated seasons in 1965 and 1967, winning the conference championship.

On the basketball court was where Margie truly excelled. At the beginning of her basketball career at Dalhousie, the game was much different than the one played today. There were six players per side, including three guards and three forwards and in handling the ball each player was afforded only three dribbles. The result was a low scoring battle on the busy court but the rules certainly didn’t impede Margie’s scoring touch. As a forward, she was often listed as the team’s top scorer, leading the team in the 1965-66 season. A gifted athlete and scorer when she arrived at Dalhousie, Margie beefed up her point totals with the help of fellow 2006 Hall of Fame inductee and stellar coach, Al Yarr, who spent countless hours working with her on shooting technique, in her quest to excel. In 1967, after the first Canada Games, of which Margie attended as a member of Team Nova Scotia, the rules of the game changed to resemble very much the game of today. The changes suited Margie quite nicely, as evidenced by her selection as Dalhousie’s women’s basketball MVP for the 1967-68 season.

Margie’s involvement in sport at Dalhousie extended away from the playing surface as well. For three years she was part of the executive of the Dalhousie Girl’s Athletic Club (DGAC), serving as ‘freshette’ representative, treasurer and in her final year, as president. The DGAC organized the intercollegiate teams and activities as well as the intramural activities for the young women of Dalhousie.

Margie Muir is a consummate Dalhousian. From her beginnings as a standout two-sport varsity athlete to her role as President of the Black and Gold Club from 1990-92, a ten-year stint as a member of the Board of Directors for Dalhousie’s Alumni Association and sitting on the university’s Board of Directors from 1994-97,  Margie is a  tremendous example for Dalhousie students of today. Her involvement with the university speaks volumes on what Dalhousie University continues to mean for her. The depth of Margie’s sporting accomplishments at Dalhousie is illustrated by her selection as Dalhousie’s top female athlete for three consecutive years, an achievement that stood unmatched for 36 years, only recently being equaled in 2006.

Induction as a member of the Dalhousie Sports Hall of Fame is a fitting recognition for this talented student-athlete who just wanted to play her best – and her best should stand as an example to us all.

Larry Archibald, Athlete: Basketball, Track and Field & Wrestling

There are many things that drive athletic ambition, but one may argue that Larry Archibald was driven by the most important attribute – a simple love of sport.  Despite his small frame he was determined to compete and he did with all his heart, making him an incredibly successful Dalhousie athlete.

Larry grew up in Truro, Nova Scotia and his number one sport was basketball, even though he was often the smallest one on the court. He says he never really worried about his height - he just played and enjoyed playing. A talented basketball player at a young age, Larry was recruited by many universities including Acadia, UNB, Mt. Allison, and Ohio, but in the end it was Tigers head coach Al Yarr who convinced him that Dalhousie was the place to be.

In the fall of 1964 Larry enrolled in Dalhousie’s science program and began playing for the black and gold. The Tigers basketball team had been struggling and Al Yarr had recruited Larry, and others, to bring the team out of it’s slump. One of Larry’s best memories was this first year as he and his friend and teammate George Hughs both lived with head coach Al Yarr. The 1965 Gazette called Larry and George “the best backcourt duo in the league.” In the 1965-66 season Larry set Dalhousie records for most points in one game (33) and the most points in one season (276) and he was recognized as an AUAA All-Star.

Larry was also a member of the track and field team his first two seasons at Dal. He was a talented sprinter and competed in the 100 and 200 metre sprint events, and the 400 and 800 metre relay events. At the 1965-66 AUAA track and field championship he earned silver medals in the 200 metre sprint and the 110 metre hurdles. His hurdles time of 13.2 seconds was one of the fastest times nationally that season.

After his first two years at Dalhousie Larry was unsure of continuing his science and chemistry degree so he decided to take a year off of school. During his time away from Dalhousie he played basketball for the Halifax Senior A Team which qualified for the Canadian Senior Championship.

In the fall of 1967 he returned to Dalhousie in the Physical Education Program. The next season Larry joined the wrestling club and earned the provincial championship for his weight class. While at Dalhousie he also participated in faculty intramurals including floor hockey, badminton, tennis, and flag football.

The following season, 1969-70, Larry returned to the Tigers basketball lineup and led the team to an outstanding record of 10 wins, 2 losses. He was once again named an AUAA All-Star and his skill on the court was recognized nationally as he was invited to tryout for the Canadian National Team. Dalhousie also recognized Larry as a co-winner of the Climo Trophy as the Male Athlete of the Year.

Upon graduation from Dalhousie, Larry attended the University of Western Ontario where he played for the Mustangs basketball team in 1970-71 and was named the team MVP and an OUAA West All-Star. He later completed his Masters of Education at the University of Toronto.

Larry spent a number of years as a teacher for physical education, science and history before becoming a principal and finally a superintendent. He retired in 2008 after over 30 years as an educator.

While many students leave Dalhousie with an exceptional experience, Larry also graduated married. He met his wife, Evelyn, in an English class and they have been happily married since 1968. Larry and Evelyn had three children and have maintained a very active lifestyle that includes canoeing, cross-country skiing, golf, hiking and more. Earlier this month they completed a 12-day 500km bike ride in Quebec.

Robert Lewington, Athlete - Football

A versatile offensive and defensive player, Lewington received a number of accolades during his time at Dalhousie.

In 1966, Lewington was the star running back of the Canadian Junior Football League’s Burlington Braves. He was the league scoring champion and was being heavily recruited by Dalhousie’s coach, Harvey Scott.

Coach Scott was successful in his bid to bring Lewington to Halifax and Bob took the league by storm that next year. The Tigers rookie of the year, Lewington was the black and gold’s leading rusher, receiver and kickoff returner. He also completed three for five halfback options for 130 yards and three touch downs. In that six-game season, he also played defence as both a defensive back and corner linebacker.

Lewington continued to have a big impact in his second season with the Tigers, earning his first league all-star award as a running back. He was once again the Tigers leading rusher and receiver and recorded the league’s longest punt of 80 yards. He was the Tigers MVP in just his second season.

In his third season, Lewington was named team captain. A leader both on and off the field, he led the league in rushing and earned his second league conference all-star nod. The MVP for the second year in a row, he led the Tigers in kickoff returns and was second in receptions and punt returns. After a stellar season, he was an honourable mention on Sport Canada’s all-Canadian team.

The team captain in his fourth and final season, Lewington was plagued by injury, but still managed to lead the Tigers in rushing and receptions. At the end of his Dalhousie career, his average of 4.5 points per game puts him second all-time for the Tigers and he is currently sixth on the black and gold all-time scoring list.

In 1969, the North American Sigma Chi fraternity elected Lewington to the small college All-Sigma Chi football team. In 1970, he was one of the CFL's top 10 draft picks and was drafted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders and attended tryouts, but did not make the team.

When the opportunity arose to play with the Queen’s Gaels the next year to play a fifth season, Lewington elected to stay at Dal to finish his degree and be an assistant coach with the Tigers.

When the football program was revived as a sport club back in 2010, the Tigers offensive MVP award was named in Lewington’s honour.

Richard Munro, Athlete: Cross Country & Track and Field

Richard Munro is a quintessential winner as a runner and as a person. He never lost a race in high school and continued his unbeaten string in university competition from 1968-1973. In 1971 he won the national open cross country championship by an enormous 42 second margin of victory. He won every track race he entered and dominated cross country with an undefeated university career.

The rules of the day only allowed teams to participate at the CIAU cross country championship; one could not qualify as an individual. With this rule in place, Richard’s first attempt at the national university title didn’t come until the fall of 1972. He won. He won in smaller league races. He won whenever he faced the national champions of his day in invitational races. No matter who he faced or the what the competition, Richard Munro won in black and gold. He won the Dalhousie University Climo Award in 1972-73. Had he been able had to qualify for CIS nationals individually he may have been CIAU champion in each of his four years; a fact made so clear by Richard’s win in 1972 that the rules were changed the following year.

Clearly, a runner with this kind of success had a base of physical talent. However, what truly set Richard apart was his exceptional ability to compete. He was tough and relentless in his pursuit of ex

cellence but above all he kept a positive attitude. The inner calm that he displayed in this most grueling of sports has remained unequalled in more than forty years of cross country excellence at Dalhousie. Having completed a race, Richard would continue running, back along the route he had just run, until every teammate had crossed the line. After one such race where he had defeated the national champion of the previous year, he was confronted by his coach who was puzzled as to how he could finish, looking so free of strain, stress, and pain. Richard took coach Al Yarr aside and whispered in his ear, “to tell you the truth coach, it hurts like hell”. He had won that race, as he did all his races, with such ease that it belied the real struggle that all distance runners experience. He was never one to express doubt or fear.

Richard’s positive attitude and optimism transcended to his teammates and he thus became the team leader. During one pre-race course tour that revealed deep mud, terrible footing and a course that seemed to have been measured incorrectly, other competitors talked about the difficulties they would be facing traversing the course later that day. Richard clapped a hand on his teammate’s back and said simply, “This makes it tougher on everyone else. It’s going to be fun.” Richard, of course, won.

Dalhousie won its first ever conference championship in 1972 and Richard provided the spark and belief that led the team to victory, defeating a strong UNB squad on their home course.

Unfortunately, Richard suffered a career-ending plantar fascia strain in a non-running incident that never fully healed, despite Richard’s persistence. Although his Olympic dreams were thwarted by his continuing injury, he left Dalhousie with a university record that may never be equaled and with a legacy regarding the spirit of running and of winning that is still told every year to Dalhousie’s aspiring national cross country champions.