Wall of Distinction
Dynasty is a word thrown around a lot in sports. Without a doubt the 1992-1993-1994, Bishop's Gaiters men's rugby teams were a dynasty. In league play alone, they went 27-1 and won three consecutive conference championships. On Saturday, Sept. 22, the three teams will be inducted into the Bishop's University Athletics' Wall of Distinction at the John H. Price Sports and Recreation Centre.
Under the tutelage of Bill Robson (Wall of Distinction class of 2008), the Gaiters were the team to beat in the early part of the decade.
The 1992 team posted a 5-1 record, rolled UQTR 56-3 in the semifinals and shutout Concordia 36-0 in the championship game. During the season, they scored 166 points while conceding just 37. Jim Rosenthal was the Most Valuable Player while Nick Clapinson, Scott Holdworth, Joel Austen, Jim Schieb and Graham Beatty joined him on the conference all-star team.
In 1993, the Gaiters were even more dominant. They went 8-0 during the regular season and scored 319 points. It was more than double anyone else in the league. They allowed just 39. In the playoffs, Bishop's topped Concordia 32-3 in the semifinals and beat McGill 9-5 in the championship. Sam Cockcroft was league MVP. Cockcroft, Austen, Clint Mercier, Phil Lafave and Andy Richardson were all-stars.
The dynasty's last championship came in 1994 when the Gaiters again posted an undefeated (8-0) regular season. That edition scored 262 points and allowed just 24. In the semifinals, it was an 82-0 rout of Sherbrooke. The Gaiters again beat McGill 23-13 to hoist the championship trophy for the third straight year. Graham Ross was the conference MVP and earned an all-star nod. Clapinson, Cockcroft, Mercier, Austen, Lefave, Ari Ondrack, Brad Wing, Jeff Warr and Mark Begg were also all-stars.
"It is indeed a great honour to be recognized and be up there with all the distinguished people from the Bishop's University community," said Lefave, who will speak at the ceremony on behalf of the team. "However, this honour could not have been realized without the tireless work and dedication of Lissa (Mcrae) and Bill (Robson). They were inspirational during those three years and have been throughout the 35 years of Bishop's rugby. This honour is as much theirs as it is for the players.
"Our success was due to a team first concept. We played for each other. It also didn't hurt that we had several provincial side players and a few players long-listed for Canada. In the end, we were simply a bunch of guys having fun and playing a game we loved."
