Kingston, Ont. (September 17, 2008) – It is with great sadness that Queen's University – Athletics and Recreation mourns the loss of Hal McCarney a member of the Queen's Football Hall of Fame and a Queen's graduate, class of 1951.
McCarney, who was hospitalized with a broken leg at the start of this year's football training camp and took a turn for the worse recently and passed away last night at Kingston General Hospital. He was 81.
“The entire Queen's community has lost a legend,” said Queen's football head coach Pat Sheahan. “We are deeply saddened by the news and we will miss one of our proudest alumni. He played a major part in our program's history and was still a contributor. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family right now.”
McCarney began his affiliation with Queen's in 1948 when he competed as a football player until 1951. In his final season as an athlete with Queen's, McCarney earned the Jenkins Trophy which is bestowed annually to the top graduating male athlete.
At the conclusion of his playing career he joined the team in another role becoming an assistant to the legendary Frank Tindall. During this time he was a founding member of the Queen's Football Club and also arranged to have the original and live 'Boo Hoo' the bear attend games.
In 1973, McCarney retired from coaching but maintained close ties with the team attending games, practices and providing other advice and support associated with Queen's Football. During his tenure as a player and as an assistant coach, McCarney helped Queen's to eight provincial titles and its first Vanier Cup title in 1968.
He was inducted into the Queen's Football Hall of Fame in 1991 as a builder and a player. The 1991 ceremony was only the third induction ceremony in the schools rich football history, making McCarney one of its earliest members. In 2003, Queen's Athletics and Recreation also honoured McCarney for his service by inducting him into Queen's Coaches Hall of Fame.
“This is a sad day for Queen's Athletics, we have lost one of our finest personalities and a true Queen's sport legend” said Leslie Dal Cin, Director of Queen's Athletics and Recreation. “Hal was the consummate alumnus with an incredible passion for Queen's and our football program. He will be missed and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
Queen's Football annually pays tribute to him by presenting the Hal McCarney Trophy which is awarded to the most dedicated football player at Queen's. The award was initiated in 2001 and first received by Craig Spear. Other recipients have included Sean McKinnon, Ryan Bechmanis, Adam Ross and Rob Bagg.
