The Concordia University Department of Recreation and Athletics will induct several new members into the Concordia Sports Hall of Fame at a gala dinner, which will be held at the John Molson reception room at Molson Breweries in Montreal this evening.
Two athletes, a builder and a team will enter the Hall. It is only the 13th time since Loyola College and Sir George Williams University merged in 1974 to form Concordia University that there will be inductions. The 2007 inductees are Edward Cannon, Gerald Prud’homme, Sally Kemp and the 1982 Concordia Stingers football team.
Edward Cannon, Track and Rugby, Athlete, 1927, Loyola College
In the 1920s Edward (Eddie) Cannon was an exceptional two-sport athlete, starring in both track and rugby at Loyola College. Cannon excelled in the 100-, 220- and 440-yard dash, dominating these events at the Loyola Field Day between 1922 and 1927. He was a valued member of Loyola’s junior intercollegiate rugby football championship team in 1925 and was captain of the senior intercollegiate rugby football team in 1926.
Gerry Prud’homme, Football , Athlete, 1984, Concordia University
Gerald Prud’homme was one of Concordia University's first great skilled position football players. The talented wide receiver caught 107 passes for 1950 yards and 14 touchdowns in his five-year career. He was also a respected special teams player with 71 punt returns for 886 yards and two majors to his credit. At the time of his induction he still held a Canadian university record for longest pass reception – a 109-yard strike from Mario Spina on Sept. 20, 1980 versus the Queen’s Golden Gaels. That day he caught eight balls for 305 yards and two touchdowns. His name still tops the conference and Concordia record books for most yards receiving in a single game.
Sally Kemp, Builder, 1964-‘68, Sir George Williams University
Sally Kemp was hired by Sir George Williams University in 1965 to create and organize physical education and recreation opportunities for the increasing number of female students at the institute. In her role as Assistant to the Director of Physical Education she displayed initiative and ingenuity in developing strong foundations for women’s programs in a school that had very little campus atmosphere and no athletic facilities. As part of her duties, she coached women’s basketball, volleyball and badminton from 1965 to ’68.
1982 Concordia Stingers Football Team
The 1982 Stingers football team made history in so many ways, but more than anything else it served notice to the football community across the nation. The message was clear – Concordia football has arrived and will be a force to reckon with from now on.
Under the direction of head coach Skip Rochette, the largely veteran team rolled up a regular season win-loss record of 5-2 and finished in second place in the Ontario-Quebec Intercollegiate Football Conference. The Stingers scored an average of 29 points while allowing just 15 a game. Along the way Concordia defeated the McGill Redmen for the first time since 1976. The score was 28-4, and it marked the first time that the Stingers had ever won a football game at Molson Stadium.
The strong campaign earned Concordia its first ever home playoff game and a rematch with the cross-town rivals in the conference semifinals. The Stingers had no trouble disposing of McGill by a score of 35-10 and advancing to the conference final. The Stingers went on to with the school’s first football championship with a 25-15 win over the Queen’s Golden Gaels in the Dunsmore Cup championship.
On Saturday, most of the inductees will attend the Homecoming football game where they’ll be introduced to the crowd at halftime.
