While current Gaels try to surpass him in the record-books for single season and career QB sacks, the defensive end turned investment banker, Jamie Lewin, has his name permanently etched into Queen's history as a member of the 1992 Vanier Cup Championship team.

But when Lewin makes the trek from his home in Dallas to Kingston and takes in a Gaels football game, it's because of the connections he formed on field rather than the success the team enjoyed.
 
"It was a great experience and one of the best of my life," Lewin said. "Playing football at Queen's was the foundation for multiple lifelong friendships."
 
Building such connections takes the same kind of effort that goes into creating a championship team. The work comes first, and then the benefits become apparent.
 
 "It all really started the year before the Vanier Championship season," Lewin said, recalling the 1991 season. "We suffered an embarrassing loss in the National semifinal game and everyone as a team made a commitment to one another to better ourselves in the offseason."

 
The adversity of a 42-22 playoff loss to Laurier in 1991 brought the Gaels together, forming bonds among teammates that would outlast their days on the football field.
 
After recently having the chance to sit down with two Vanier Cup Champion teammates, Brad Elberg and Greg Bryk, in Toronto, Lewin recollects how the pair impacted the Vanier Cup game, back before they all parted ways to pursue different careers.
 
"I remember vividly after the game being on the field with Greg Bryk who was an exceptional player and huge contributor for our team, Lewin said. "It ended up being his last football game that he would ever play as he returned to Queen's the next year to focus on theatre and now has a great career as an actor in Canada and the US."
 
While Bryk may be a more familiar face to TV and movie buffs today, Elberg was turning the most heads in 1992, winning the Ted Morris Memorial Trophy as the MVP of the Vanier Cup game.
 
"Brad Elberg clearly our star player, and he went on to both play professionally for a decade and earn his Law degree as well.  It was special to watch Brad get the recognition he deserved as a leader of our team after having such a tremendous season," Lewin said.
 
Elberg's 1992 season still litters the Queen's record book, as the former running back sits tied for second in single-season touchdowns with 14 and tied for fourth in single-season all-purpose yards with 1199.
 
Lewin realized, even at the time, that the connection formed around the 1992 Vanier Cup would extend far beyond names on the Gaels roster.
 
 "Playing the Vanier game at Sky Dome, it was special to take a moment to recognize the importance and impact of that game and championship to both a 19 year old kid as well as to the entire Queen's community."
 
While Lewin has moved on from football and is well-established in the field of investment banking and financial advising, the Managing Director of McColl Partners, LLC (which recently was acquired by Deloitte) can still look back and smile at his days as a Gael.
 
"It was very meaningful to be a small part of that championship, and every once in a while it's nice to be reminded about those moments."