Laurier Football's Team of the Century
WATERLOO, Ont. - The Friends of Golden Hawk Football Reception and Dinner presented by Sun Life Financial is excited to announce Laurier Football's Team of the Century in conjunction with Wilfrid Laurier University's 100th anniversary celebrations.
With the assistance of over 150 nominations from the public at large, a selection committee composed of former and current coaches, players, faculty and students selected Laurier Football's 33 greatest players of all time.
The selection committee considered criteria that included but was not limited to the following: a minimum of two years participation at Laurier, graduation, member of championship team(s), provincial or national awards, membership in the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame, professional participation, versatility, character and citizenship.
The Team of the Century will be honoured at the 12th Annual Friends of Golden Hawk Football Reception and Dinner on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at the Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel. Ticket information is available by contacting Heather Ferris at hferris@wlu.ca or 519-884-0710 ext. 3289. Tickets can also be purchased at www.laurierathletics.com/footballdinner.
Laurier Football's Team of the Century
John Glassford - DL (1973-1976) - John was member of the 1973 Yates Cup team and was drafted in 1976 by the Saskatchewan Rough Riders. During his CFL career John was named the 1981 Grey Cup defensive player of the game while playing with the Ottawa Rough Riders. John retired from the CFL in 1982 and was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1991.
Veron Stiliadis - DL (1984-1989) - The only defensive lineman at Laurier to be selected as the country's outstanding lineman in 1988, Veron was a two time all-Canadian and a member of the 1987 Yates Cup team. He was drafted by the Toronto Argonauts in 1987 and was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1994.
Rich Ott - DL (1971-1975) - Chosen as the OUAA west lineman of the year in 1975, Rich was an all-Canadian in that year as well. He was a member of the 1972 and 1973 championship teams and was drafted by the Toronto Argonauts in 1974. Rich was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1991.
Reinhardt Keller - DL (1989-1993) - The 1993 OUAA lineman of the tear, Reinhardt was a three time all-Canadian and a member of the 1991 Vanier Cup team. Keller was drafted by the B.C. Lions in 1993. Reinhardt was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1998.
Dave Knechtel - DL (1966-1967) - Dave was a member of the 1966 provincial championship team and went on to a successful 10 year career in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts, Edmonton Eskimos and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1987.
Kojo Millington - DL (1995-2000) - A two time all-Canadian and the 1999 OUA lineman of the year, Kojo was Laurier's first player selected to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl, an all-star game held annually to showcase the best collegiate football players in the United States. He was drafted by the Toronto Argonauts in 2000 and was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 2007.
Rob Etherington - DL (1972-1974) - A member of back-to-back Ontario championship teams in 1972 and 1973, Rob was also selected as an all-Canadian in 1972. He was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1988.
Mike McMahon - LB (1966-1969) - The first Laurier player to be selected as an all-Canadian in 1969, Mike was a member of both the 1966 and 1968 provincial championship teams. He was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1987.
Rich Payne - LB (1976-1981) - The only Laurier player to be named the country's most valuable defensive player, Rich was a two time all-Canadian and a member of the 1978 Yates Cup team. He was drafted in 1979 by the Montreal Alouettes and was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1989.
Fred Grossman - LB (1987-1991) - In 1991, Fred was selected to the all-Canadian team and was chosen as the OUA defensive player of the year and won the Vanier Cup. As a rookie in 1987 he was a member of the Yates Cup Championship team. Fred was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1996.
Wally Parker - LB (1969-1973) - Wally was a member of the 1972 and 1973 Ontario championship teams and was selected as an all-Canadian in 1971. He was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 2002.
Alex Troop - LB (1982-1985) - Alex was a three-time all-Canadian and the OUA defensive player of the year in 1984. He was drafted by the Toronto Argonauts in 1985 and went on to play with Ottawa from 1986-1988. Alex was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1991.
Jesse Alexander - LB (2002-2006) - The OUA defensive player of the year in 2006, Jesse was a two time all-Canadian. A member of the 2005 Yates Cup and Vanier Cup championship teams, Jesse was drafted by the Saskatchewan Rough Riders in 2006.
Gincarlo Rapanaro - LB (2006-2010) - A two time all-Canadian, Giancarlo was chosen in 2010 as the OUA defensive player of the year. He was signed as a free agent by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2010 and re-signed with the Bombers for the 2011 season.
John Kruspe - DB (1966-1968) - John was a member of both the 1966 and 1968 championship teams. He went on to a seven year CFL career, playing with Montreal, Ottawa and Hamilton. John was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1986.
Barry Quarrell - DB (1978-1982) - One of only two defensive backs at Laurier to be selected as the OUA defensive player of the year; Barry was a member of the 1978 Yates Cup team and was selected as an all-Canadian in 1980 and 1981. He was drafted by Edmonton in 1982.
Donnie Ruiz - DB (1997-2000) - A three time all-Canadian, Donnie was the other defensive back at Laurier to be selected as the OUA defensive player of the year. Donnie played six years in the CFL with Winnipeg, Ottawa and Saskatchewan and was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 2006.
Ian Logan - DB (2001-2005) - Ian was a member of both the 2004 Yates Cup and the 2005 Vanier Cup championship teams. He was selected as an all-Canadian in 2004 and 2005. He is currently entering his sixth season in the CFL with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 2010.
Doug Smith - OL (1971-1973) - Doug was chosen as an Ontario all-star in 1973 and was member of back-to-back Ontario championship teams in 1972 and 1973. He enjoyed an 11 year CFL career, winning the Grey Cup in 1974 with the Montreal Alouettes. Doug was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1988.
Rod Connop - OL (1979-1981) - Rod was chosen as an OUA first team all-star in 1981 and went on to play 16 years in the CFL, winning three Grey Cups. Rod was selected as the CFL's outstanding lineman in 1989 and is a member of the CFL Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1998.
Peter Gisborn - OL (1991-1993) - Peter was selected as an all-Canadian in 1993 and was a member of the 1991 Vanier Cup team. Peter was drafted and played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1994. He was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 2001.
Scott Evans - OL (2002-2008) - A three time all-Canadian, Scott is one of only two offensive linemen at Laurier to be selected as the OUA lineman of the year. He went on to be selected as the CIS lineman of the year in 2007. Scott also was a member of the 2005 Vanier Cup team and signed as free agent with the Toronto Argonauts in 2008.
Ryan Jeffrey - OL (2000-2004) - Ryan was a member of the 2004 Yates Cup team and was selected as the OUA lineman of the year in 2003. Ryan was drafted by the Montreal Alouettes in 2004 and was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 2010.
Ed Turek - RB (1963-1966) - A member of the 1966 championship team, Ed went on to play for the Edmonton Eskimos and Hamilton Tiger-Cats won the Grey Cup with Hamilton in 1967. He was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1986.
Jim Reid - RB (1975-1978) - Selected as the CIAU rookie of the year in 1975, Jim holds the Laurier records for most rushing yards in a season and most rushing touchdowns in a season. Jim was also a member of the 1978 Yates Cup team. He went on to play 10 years in the CFL with Ottawa and Hamilton and was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1986.
Andy Cecchini - RB (1987-1991) - Selected as the OUAA rookie of the year in 1987, Andy started every game during his five year career. He was a member of the 1987 Yates Cup team and the 1991 Vanier Cup team where he was selected as the game's MVP. He was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1996.
Ken Evraire - REC (1985-1988) - Ken was selected as the 1985 OUAA rookie of the year and the 1987 OUAA MVP. He was a member of the 1987 Yates Cup and was a two time all-Canadian. Ken played nine-years in the CFL with Hamilton, Ottawa and Saskatchewan. He was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1993.
Stefan Ptaszek - REC (1990-1994) - Stefan was a three time an all-Canadian and a member of the 1991 Vanier Cup team. He holds many of Laurier's receiving records including most receiving yards in a career and in a season. Stefan was drafted by the B.C. Lions in 1994 and played with the Lions, Argos and Tiger-Cats. He was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1999.
Andre Talbot - REC (1997-2000) - A two time all-Canadian, Andre holds the Laurier records for most receptions in a game, most receptions in a season and most receiving yards in a game. Andre had a 10 year CFL career with the Toronto Arognauts and the Edmonton Eskimos. He was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 2006.
Bryon Hickey - IR/TE (2001-2005) - Bryon was a member of the 2004 Yates Cup and 2005 Vanier Cup teams. He holds the record for most rushing touchdowns in a game with four and most receiving touchdowns in a game with three.
Bill Kubas - QB (1990-1994) - Bill was the CIAU rookie of the year, Laurier's only Hec Creighton award winner and was also selected as the CIAU athlete of the year in 1994. He was a member of the 1991 Vanier Cup team. Bill holds many of Laurier's all-time passing records including most completions and attempts in a season and a career, most passing yards in a season and career and most passing touchdowns in a season and career. He was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1999.
Brian Devlin - K/P (2003-2005) - A punter and placekicker, Brian was an all-Canadian in 2005. He kicked the winning field goal with 19 seconds left in the 2005 Vanier Cup. He holds the all-time records for most field goals in a game and most field goals in a season.
Dillon Heap - KR (2005-present) - Dillon set the CIS record for most punt return yards in a season with 912 yards in 2009 and was selected as an all-Canadian. He is the Laurier record holder for most kick-off return yards in a season and career and most punt return yards in a season and career.
Thank you to all the selection committee members for their efforts. They include Rick Pajor, Luke Fusco, Don Smith, Rich Newbrough, Gary Jeffries, Wally Gabler, Peter Izzio, Adrian Kraayveld, Rick Zmich and Fred Nichols.
Source: Laurier Athletics