You started the
season 0-2 in what was the Western Intercollegiate Football League and then
managed to win eight straight games and capture the Vanier Cup with a new Head Coach. What turned
the season around and when were you confident that you could perhaps win the
Conference title?
The fact it was Peter’s
(Connellan) first year took everyone time to gel. There was no panic from the
coaches, the system did not change and we found our way. We knew we had talent
on both sides of the football. When we ran off four straight wins we knew we
would be in the mix in our Conference that was so tough.
What is your memory
the events surrounding the Vanier
Week festivities in 1983?
I was in Toronto the year before for the nomination
for the Hec Crighton but it was special to have the entire team with me in
1983. I remember the warm up and throng of Queens
fans entering the stadium. We knew we were in a hostile environment that was
very collegiate. I remember they (Vanier Cup organizing committee) did a very
good job staging the events we attended, it was first-class.
What was the pressure
during the week and going into the game against Queens with you being the
University of Calgary’s first Hec Crighton Trophy winner and trying to win the
school’s first ever Vanier Cup?
I do not remember feeling the
pressure but was comfortable with the people I was surrounded with. We were
very good friends and knew if everyone played well we would be fine. It was a
very novel situation so I enjoyed every minute of it.
What is your fondest
memory of the Vanier Cup win over Queens?
The last touchdown drive that put
us in front is a lasting memory. What was very special was having our families
down there (Toronto).
The event that University put on afterwards made it very special for the
players and families.
You led the entire
game by a large margin until Queens recovered a punt fumble to go ahead before
your game winning touchdown drive what is your recollection of that drive and
how confident were you could take lead back?
I remember everyone being calm.
We went into that drive with just over three minutes remaining. No one was in
panic mode. There was a concern that we missed on some drives to score
touchdowns instead of field goals. We knew what we needed to get the game won.
What do you remember
of the celebrations once you returned home with the Vanier Cup?
We all were surprised by the
media coverage and the engagement from the city as a whole. It was great fun to
be treated so well by everyone. The entire community was behind us.
Explain the bond that
currently exists to this day between the players and parents from the 1983 Vanier Cup Championship
team?
We all went on, got married and
raised families and have our careers. My wedding party was three players from
that team. We have gone on to give something back to the community and the
program. The combination of personalities and success basically is the bond
that ties everyone together for such a long period of time. The entire group,
players, coaches, and support staff remains a special group, very special even
after all these years.
What did the Vanier Cup win do for you
inside and outside of football?
Inside of football it created a
chance for me to go to the next level, outside the name recognition allowed me
to go into business. There was an element of trust when I showed up to meet
someone I did not know that created opportunity for me that would not have been
there if I had the 1983 season.
What did you after your varsity career?
Greg went on to play five years
in the Canadian Football League. In 1984 he became a starting quarterback for
the Calgary Stampeders winning six games. He graduated with BComm and Law
degrees from the University
of Calgary. He operates
an oil and gas company in Calgary
with his father that he still is involved with today. He served as Offensive Coordinator for the
Dinos for five years under Head Coach Blake Nill. Greg remains extremely active
with the Dinos football alumni (Dinos 5th Quarter) serving as their
President giving back to program. He was inducted into the inaugural class of
the University of
Calgary Athletic Hall of Fame
and along with his teammates are members of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame
along with the 1983 and 1985 Vanier Cup Championship teams.
