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Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks football facts for kids

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Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks Football Logo.png
Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks logo
First season 1961
Athletic director Kate McCrae Bristol (administrator)
Head coach Michael Faulds
11th year, 53–33  (.616)
Other staff Ron VanMoerkerke (DC)
Todd Galloway (OC)
Home stadium University Stadium
Field Knight-Newbrough Field
Year built 1958
Stadium capacity 6,500
Stadium surface FieldTurf
Location Waterloo, Ontario
League U Sports
Conference OUA (1980-present)
Past associations OIFC (1963-1966)
CCIFC (1967-1970)
OUAA (1971-1973)
OQIFC (1974-1979)
All-time record 309–148–7 (.673)
Postseason record 47–43 (.522)
Titles
Vanier Cups 2
1991, 2005
Uteck Bowls 2
2005, 2024
Churchill Bowls 1
1991
Atlantic Bowls 2
1968, 1972
Yates Cups 9
1972, 1973, 1978, 1987,
1991, 2004, 2005, 2016, 2024
Hec Crighton winners 2
Bill Kubas, Taylor Elgersma
Current uniform
CIS Wilfrid Laurier Jersey.png
Colours Purple and Gold
         
Outfitter Adidas
Rivals Waterloo Warriors
Western Mustangs

The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks football team plays for Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. They compete in Canadian football as part of the Ontario University Athletics conference, which is a league within U Sports. The Golden Hawks football team started playing in 1961. They have been a part of U Sports football (which used to be called CIS football) every year since 1962.

The team has played in five Vanier Cup championships, which is like the national championship game for university football in Canada. They won the national title twice, in 1991 and 2005. They also won nine Yates Cup championships, which is the championship for their conference. Their most recent Yates Cup win was in 2024. Two Golden Hawks players have won the Hec Crighton Trophy, which is given to the best player in Canadian university football: Bill Kubas in 1994 and Taylor Elgersma in 2024.

Team History

The Gary Jeffries Years (2003-2012)

Gary Jeffries became the team's head coach in 2003. In his first year, the Golden Hawks had a great season with six wins and two losses. He even won an award for being the best coach in the league!

In 2004, the Golden Hawks had an amazing year. They didn't lose a single game in the regular season, going 8–0. This was the first time they had a perfect regular season since 1966. They also beat the McMaster Marauders, ending their long winning streak. The Golden Hawks then won their sixth Yates Cup by beating the Marauders again.

The team continued their winning streak in 2005 with another perfect 8–0 regular season. This was the first time Laurier had two undefeated seasons in a row! They won their seventh Yates Cup against the Western Mustangs. Then, they won the Uteck Bowl, which sent them to the 41st Vanier Cup. In a very exciting game, they beat the Saskatchewan Huskies 24–23 with a field goal in the last seconds! This win made them the first team in their history to finish a season undefeated (12–0) and brought them their second Vanier Cup.

Under Coach Jeffries, the team was one of the best in their league for many years. They often finished in the top three. He resigned in 2012, leaving as the coach with the second-most wins in the school's football history.

The Michael Faulds Years (2013-Present)

Michael Faulds became the new head coach in 2013. In his first year, the team missed the playoffs. But they quickly improved, making it to the playoffs in 2014 and 2015.

In 2016, the Golden Hawks had a fantastic season, winning seven games and losing only one. They won their eighth Yates Cup by beating the Western Mustangs in a thrilling game. They came back from being far behind in the fourth quarter to win 43–40! Coach Faulds was named the U Sports Head Coach of the Year for his great work.

The team continued to do well in 2017, finishing with a 6–2 record. They reached the Yates Cup again but lost to the Western Mustangs. In the following years, the team had some ups and downs, finishing with 4–4 records in 2018 and 2019.

Championship Wins

The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks have a proud history of winning championships.

  • Vanier Cup Wins:
    • 1991: Defeated Mount Allison 25–18
    • 2005: Defeated Saskatchewan 24–23
  • Yates Cup Wins:
    • 1972, 1973, 1978, 1987, 1991, 2004, 2005, 2016, 2024

The team has played in five Vanier Cup games, winning two and losing three. They have also played in ten national semifinal games, winning five of them.

Meet the Coaches

Here are the head coaches who have led the Golden Hawks football team:

Name Years Coached
Bob Celeri 1961–1965
Tuffy Knight 1966–1983
Rich Newbrough 1984–1993
Rick Zmich 1993–2001
Gary Jeffries 2002–2012
Michael Faulds 2013–present

Award-Winning Players and Coaches

Many Golden Hawks players and coaches have won special awards for their skills and hard work:

  • Hec Crighton Trophy: This award goes to the most outstanding player in Canadian university football.
    • Winners: Bill Kubas (1994), Taylor Elgersma (2024)
  • J. P. Metras Trophy: This award is for the best lineman in the league.
    • Winners: Veron Stiliadis (1988), Scott Evans (2007)
  • Presidents' Trophy: This award is for the best defensive player.
    • Winner: Rich Payne (1980)
  • Peter Gorman Trophy: This award is for the best rookie (first-year player).
    • Winners: Jim Reid (1976), Paul Nastasiuk (1983), Bill Kubas (1990)
  • Russ Jackson Award: This award recognizes a player who excels in football, academics, and community service.
    • Winners: Josh Alexander (2001), Dillon Heap (2011)
  • Frank Tindall Trophy: This award is for the U Sports Coach of the Year.
    • Winners: David "Tuffy" Knight (1972, 1979), Rich Newbrough (1991), Rick Zmich (1995), Gary Jeffries (2003), Michael Faulds (2016, 2024)

Golden Hawks in the CFL

Many talented Golden Hawks players have gone on to play in the Canadian Football League (CFL), which is Canada's professional football league. As of the end of the 2024 CFL season, 13 former Golden Hawks players were on CFL teams:

Images for kids

  • Vanier Cup 2005, Laurier Golden Hawks vs Saskatchewan Huskies

    The Saskatchewan Huskies playing against the Golden Hawks at the 2005 Vanier Cup.

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