KINGSTON, Ont. (September 11, 2015) - The 2015 Queen's Football Hall of Fame was a great success as former players, staff, family, friends and alumni all gathered to celebrate the occasion at Isabel Bader Centre for Performing Arts in Kingston.
For a full breakdown of the inductees please see below:
BUILDERS
Don Bayne
A tenacious visionary who was among the first to advocate for a new stadium, Don has continued, through his leadership, fundraising and advocacy, to make an important contribution to the restoration of the athletics fields, and the new Richardson Stadium. He was also the President of the Queen's Football Club for many years.
Merv Daub
Football historian, former coach and dedicated stadium and fields advocate since the 1990s, Merv has been involved every step of the way, at every level, from the construction site to the Board of Trustees, in the efforts to bring quality outdoor athletics facilities to Queen's.
Vicki and Paul Hand
Co-chairs of the university's Field and Stadium Campaign Cabinet, Paul and Vicki are generous Queen's benefactors and sports enthusiasts. Paul is an ex-Gael, Vicki swam varsity synchro when here. Under their leadership, three new athletic fields have been built – Tindall, Nixon and Miklas McCarney, and the revitalization of Richardson has begun. They were recently awarded the university's Distinguished Service Award 'for exemplary service to Queen's over an extended period of time'.
Tom Hopkins
Tom Hopkins dedication to the Queen's Football team spans many decades as he has served as the team's equipment manager and helped to build character amongst the many Gaels who passed through the program over the years. From the Hargreaves era and on through the Sheahan era, Hopkins has been there for all the highs and lows of Queen's Football. A loyal friend to the veterans on the team, his commitment to the Gaels every Fall has been unwavering.
Bob McFarlane
Strong supporter of the football program in so many ways – contributor to scholarships as well as stadium design and development, a devoted recruiting facilitator, and much else, Bob has been there every step of the way for many years now. He is currently a member of the Board of Trustees where he advocates strongly for athletic concerns.
Joe Pal
Active on many civic development fronts 'along the river', Joe has always held a special spot for Queen's football in his heart. From a strong football family, and himself a player, and with his close personal relationship to the stadium's principal donor, Joe has made an important contribution, both monetarily and as a facilitator, to all aspects of Queen's football but particularly to the revitalization of Richardson Stadium.
Dan Pawliw
As head of the Queen's Football Club in recent years, Dan has been an important bridge to all former players and their families with respect not only to the activities of the Club but importantly with respect to the efforts to bring quality outdoor athletic facilities to Queen's. His contacts with the younger alumni have been particularly instrumental in helping ensure that the tradition that is Queen's football will live on.
Kent and Sandra Plumley
Kent was the first person to take the need for a modern Richardson Stadium to the Board of Trustees in the 1990s. He continued to advocate strongly for this, and contribute to its development in an important way well into this century. In recent times Sandra, his wife and an ex-Head Cheerleader in her time, has taken up the cause and is making a strong contribution on behalf of the family to the fund raising for all things Queen's including the stadium.
Dave Ross
Ross has been the Queen's football trainer since 1980 and also was the Coordinator of Athletic Therapy Services for Queen's Athletics and Recreation for 29 years. He settled in with the Gaels football team after a two-year stint with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and has been on the Football sidelines mending injured Gaels ever since. His dedication to the team and players throughout the years has been exceptional as he can always be seen with a smile on his face and makes sure to put the student first.
Queen's Bands
It was over 100 years ago that a group of enthusiastic freshmen, fans of the Queen's Gaels football team, formed to support the Gaels wherever they would play. The tradition holds today, making a football game at Queen's unlike any other college game in Canada. Through the years, the Bands have lived up to one primary underlying purpose: to represent and share the spirit of Queen's University. The Queen's Bands have consistently represented Queen's football as the 13th man and provided home field advantage no matter where the Gaels played their games, home or away.
Alex Melvin
A "Booster's booster", Alex has been an unfailing positive force behind all things Queen's football. His support of the program as a fundraiser, 'tailgate organizer supreme', and general cheerleader in cloudy times has deep roots in his family which sees Alex join his father in the Hall of Fame as Builders.
Keith "Skip" Eaman
A long-time supporter of Queen's football, and a member of the Hall of Fame as a player, 'Skip' has worked diligently over the years to raise funds to bring quality outdoor facilities to Queen's, and to help sustain the football program itself. His contacts in the Montreal community, and elsewhere, have been invaluable both to the campaign cabinet and to the Queen's Football Club. For his enthusiasm and dedication to his alma mater, and his beloved Gaels football club, he recently received the John B. Stirling Montreal Medal Award from the Montreal chapter of the Queen's Alumni Association.
Stu Lang
Stu and his wife Kim are the lead donors in the campaign to revitalize Richardson Stadium. Already a member of the Hall of Fame as a player, Stu has always had a special affection for Queen's. As such, he has taken an active interest in all aspects of the design, operation, and further funding of the new stadium thereby making a major contribution well beyond the family's original donation. In every way he has been the key catalyst, the 'Supreme Builder'.
TEAMS 1978
The 14th Vanier Cup took place at Varsity Stadium in Toronto, with over 19,000 in attendance the Queen's Gaels defeated UBC 16-3 in what will be remembered as a punters' duel. Queen's Tim Wardrop punted 15 times for 610 yards and his UBC counterpart, Al Chorney, reciprocated with 15 punts for 608 yards. However, it was Queen's place-kicker Blaine Shore's three field goals that proved the difference in the game. The Gaels outscored the Thunderbirds 13-0 in the second half, including 10 points in the final four minutes of the game. Queen's linebacker Ed Andrew would take home the Ted Morris Memorial Trophy as most valuable player of the game. With the win, the Gaels capped a perfect 10-0 campaign and captured the second national title in school history, a decade after their triumph in 1968.
1983
In 1983 the Queen's Gaels football team had experienced great accomplishment to go along with a heartbreaking ending. The Gaels started the season on a high winning four games in a row before tying consecutive games followed by a loss in their last season game, their record was enough to get them into the playoffs. They defeated Carleton 32-18 in their playoff game which earned them a matchup with McGill in the Dunsmore Cup. The Gaels 36-5 defeat over McGill earned them home field in the Churchill Bowl Championship against the Toronto Varsity Blues. A 22-7 win sent the Gaels to the Vanier Cup game against the heavily favoured Calgary Dinosaurs. In the 19th Vanier Cup, in front of a crowd over 18,000, Queen's was overwhelmed in the first half of the game trailing 17-3 at halftime. Queen's scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and took the lead, 21-20, with about three and a half minutes to play. They couldn't contain a Calgary team led by future CFL quarterback Greg Vavra, who engineered drives for a touchdown and a field goal before the game ended. The final score was 31-21 with the Calgary Dinos winning their first ever Vanier Cup.
1992
The 1992 Queen's Gaels football season was one to remember. The Gaels finished their regular season with a 6-1 record. The Gaels won their playoff game against McGill 24-21, which earned them a matchup in the Dunsmore Cup against Bishop who was the only team to defeat the Gaels that season. A 31-6 win that day at Bishop sent the Gaels to the Churchill Bowl Championship against the Guelph Gryphons. The Gaels earned another chance at a Vanier Cup title after defeating Guelph 23-16 in the Churchill Bowl Championship. In the 28th Vanier Cup, in front of a crowd of 28,645 at Toronto's Sky Dome, the Queen's Gaels recorded the only shutout in game history, defeating the Saint Mary's Huskies 31-0 to capture their third national title overall and their second under legendary head coach Doug Hargreaves. Brad Elberg, a first-team all-Canadian tailback from Regina, earned game MVP after he carried the ball 23 times for 136 yards and tied the Vanier Cup record with three rushing touchdowns. For the first time in Vanier Cup history, the Bruce Coulter Award was presented to All-Canadian tackle Eric Dell of Queen's was the first recipient.
PLAYERS
Guy Potvin
A graduate of Queen's Engineering and Law, Guy was a proud member of the Hamburger Squad
in 1963, played four full seasons with the Gaels, won two Yates Cups, led the league in interceptions one year, the team scoring (shared) in another, and was a league all-star at defensive half three times. Off the field he was President of the Queen's Law Society, won the Gavel Award, and was named to the Tricolour Society. He went on to enjoy a career as a well-respected intellectual property lawyer heading various professional associations in his chosen field. He also has a strong public service record and continues to support Gaels football to this day.
Rob Ball
A member of the 1978 Yates Cup and Vanier Cup Championship team. Ball was a linebacker turned defensive end for the Gaels for four years. He was a member of the Queen's Gold Rush defensive line unit that terrorized opposing Quarterbacks during the late seventies. As a defensive lineman, he was selected to the conference all-star team three straight years in 1979, 1980 and 1981. Ball captained his 1981 Gaels team and was the recipient of the Orrin Carson Award for Queen's Football lineman of the year. Following his career at Queen's, he was selected in the 1981 CFL Draft by Ottawa.
Tony McDowell
McDowell was a member of 1981 and 1983 Dunsmore Cup Championship teams, as well as being a Vanier Cup finalist in 1983. As an offensive lineman, he was captain for three years where he was selected to the league all-star team in 1982 and 1983. McDowell is also a two-time recipient of the Orrin Carson Award for Queen's Football lineman of the year in 1982 and 1983.
James MacLean
A member of the 1997 Dunsmore Cup Championship team, MacLean captained the Gaels for three years while being named a conference all-star in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. He was the dominant Queen's receiver in his era and will be long remembered for his smooth running style, soft hands and big play ability. He was named to the CIS All-Canadian team in each of his final three seasons. He won the Queen's Football Royal Todd Memorial Award for rookie of the year in 1997 and was a three-time recipient of the Johnny Evans Memorial Award for most valuable player. He still holds multiple school records for the Gaels including receiving yards and receptions in a career. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats selected him in the 2000 CFL Draft.
Jon Landon
Jon Landon was the OQIFC Rookie of the Year in 1998 as an offensive lineman! Jon was an instant sensation with the Gaels and proceeded to become the dominant offensive line player of his era. He captained the Gaels for three of his five seasons at Queen's. He received the Queen's Football Royal Todd Memorial Award for rookie of the year in 1998 and was the recipient of the Orrin Carson Award for lineman of the year in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Landon was selected to the OQIFC conference all-star team in 2000 and 2002, and was selected to the All Canadian team. He was also being named to the CIS east-west bowl in 2000. Following his Gaels football career, he was selected in the 2002 CFL Draft by Montreal and then finished his career after the Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts.
Corey Trudeau
A member of the Gaels football team for five years, Trudeau was one of the greatest two sport athletes to ever play at Queen's. Corey was team co-captain for his two final seasons in 2002 and 2003 where he was a standout at defensive line. He received the Queen's Football Royal Todd Memorial Award for rookie of the year in 1999 while being the recipient of the Orrin Carson Award for lineman of the year in 2000 and 2002. Trudeau was also a two-time conference all-star for the Tricolour. Trudeau was also an elite shot putter with the Queen's Track and Field team where he set several school, OUA and CIS records.
Tom Denison
Tom was the key contributor to changing football history at Queen's in 2001. His arrival sparked the most significant turn-around in recent memory leading a 1-7 team in 2000 to an amazing 6-4 record in 2001, followed by a 9-2 record in 2002 and a Yates Cup appearance . A member of the Gaels football team for three years, Denison was selected as a conference all-star and All-Canadian in 2002 and 2003. He was the recipient of the Queen's Football Johnny Evans Memorial Award as the most valuable player in 2002 and 2003 and the Doug Hargreaves Award for most outstanding offensive player in 2002. Denison was named the conference most valuable player and was recognized Nationally being named the recipient of the Hec Crighton Trophy for most valuable player in the country in both 2002 and 2003. He holds multiple school records for the Gaels including most touchdowns and passing yards in a season. He was signed as a free agent by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL in 2004 and finished his pro career as a Calgary Stampeder.
Matt Kirk
A member of the Gaels football team for five years, Kirk was a defensive anchor and team captain during his time at Queen's. He arrived as a tall and lanky defensive end in 2000 and grew to become the dominant a defensive lineman by his senior year in 2004. He was the recipient of the Johnny Evans Memorial Award for most valuable player in 2004 and Orrin Carson Award for lineman of the year in 2003 and 2004. Kirk received numerous accolades including being named the OUA J.P. Metras Trophy winner for lineman of the year in 2003, a conference all-star in 2003 and 2004 and All-Canadian in 2003. Following his football career at Queen's, Ottawa selected Kirk in the 2004 CFL Draft. He played seven seasons in the CFL winning the Grey Cup in 2006 with the BC Lions.
