University News

Bishop’s Gaiters 1971 football team to be inducted to RBC Wall of Distinction

September 5, 2012

LENNOXVILLE, QC – The Bishop’s University Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the upcoming induction of the 1971 Gaiters football team to the RBC Wall of Distinction.  The plaque unveiling ceremony will be held Saturday, September 8 at 11:30 a.m., at the John H. Price Sports and Recreation Centre.

Created in 1991, the RBC Wall of Distinction honours individuals and teams who have made significant contributions to Bishop's University’s athletic program. Inductees are selected based on criteria that include participation and involvement as an athlete or, outstanding service to athletics. Teams who have won national championships, or otherwise excelled have also been honoured. As of Saturday, a total of 44 individuals and nine teams will have been recognized on the RBC Wall of Distinction.

RBC Wall of Distinction – 2012 Team Induction

1971 Bishop’s Gaiters Football

The 1971 Bishop’s Gaiters were Quebec University Athletic Association (QUAA) champions. They dominated the league finishing 6-0 in league play outscoring opponents 277 to 36 including a 45-7 drubbing of the McGill Redmen in the seeded game. They suffered their only loss all season at the hands of the University of Alberta Golden Bears having accepted an invitational post-season contest in Edmonton prior to the days of national championships.

Other honours bestowed on the team included 1971 Canadian Inter-collegiate Coach of the Year (CIAU) awarded to Head Coach Bruce Coulter, as well as the selection of Gary Chown and Larry Smith as All-Canadians. The Gaiters also earned 10 QUAA all-star team selections namely: Pat Commander, Jim Wright, and Chown on defence and Bill MacDonald, Ron Perowne, Peter Lawton, Robbie Allen, Sandy Baptist, Chown and Smith on offence.
 
Many of the forty members of the ’71 squad will reunite at a reception and dinner on Friday, September 7.  They will then attend the ceremony and claim their place in Gaiters history when their RBC Wall of Distinction plaque is unveiled on Saturday morning. Following the ceremony, they will head to Coulter Field where they will perform the ceremonial kick-off for the 2012 Gaiters home opener against the Université Laval Rouge et Or. Game time is set for 1 p.m. 

Follow the Gaiters at www.gaiters.ca.

-30-