The Department of Recreation and Athletics inducted several new members into the Concordia Sports Hall of Fame at a gala dinner held at the John Molson reception room at Molson Breweries in Montreal on Oct. 1.
Four athletes, a builder and a team entered the Hall. It is only the 16th time since Loyola College and Sir George Williams University merged in 1974 to form Concordia University that there were inductions.
The 2010 inductees were Concordia Stinger basketball player Gary McKeigan, Sir George Williams hockey stars Alex Matthew and Brian Chapman, Stingers rugby player Josée Lacasse, Loyola-Concordia basketball and football coach Doug Daigneault and the 1991 Concordia women’s rugby team.
Gary McKeigan, Athlete, 1986, Concordia
Originally from Brantford, Ont., Gary McKeigan joined the Concordia Stingers men’s basketball team as a transfer student from an American college in 1979. The six-foot-six forward had an immediate impact. Not only was he a high scoring, dominant offensive player, he was also outstanding on defence. He was generally regarded as one the hardest workers to ever don a Stinger uniform. Gary scored an impressive 2238 points during the four years he played at Concordia and was highly decorated during that time.
Alex Matthew, Athlete, 1967, Sir George Williams
Alex Matthew was one of the most talented players in the history of Sir George Williams University’s men’s hockey program. To many, including head coach Paul Arsenault, he was the best forward in the Ottawa-St. Lawrence Athletic Association (OSLAA) in the mid-60s. A right wing, he was respected for his combination of smooth skating, puck handling and shooting ability.
Brian Chapman, Athlete, 1967, Sir George Williams
Brian Chapman is a Sir George Williams University hockey legend – one of the most accomplished players as well as one of the most colorful characters. A clutch goaltender, he was a key component in the University’s great hockey dynasty of the mid-1960s. The Toronto native played with authority and excelled under pressure. He was respected for his fierce competitive spirit, his lightning-quick reflexes and his great agility.
Josée Lacasse, Athlete, 1993, Concordia Stingers
An outstanding prop, Josée Lacasse holds the distinction of being the first women’s rugby player inducted into the Concordia Sports Hall of Fame. She was a key player in the Stingers’ great success in the early 1990s, including Concordia’s conference championships in 1991 and 1992. She began her three-year university career in 1990 when she was named the Stingers’ outstanding rookie and earned the first of three consecutive Quebec Student Sports Federation all-star honours. In her last two years, Josée was Concordia’s captain and Most Valuable Player.
Doug Daigneault – Loyola-Concordia - Builder
Doug Daigneault was one of the most respected university coaches in Canada. From 1966 to 1989 he amassed an exceptional record as a basketball coach at Loyola College and Concordia University. From 1966 through 1977, he also contributed his considerable coaching talents to the football program.
His basketball record over 23 seasons is a remarkable 487 wins and 243 losses with 14 conference titles. His teams had a 66 consecutive game winning streak in league play from 1968-72. He helped develop seven all-Canadians and 70 league all-stars. Doug was named conference Coach of the Year eight times. Doug’s football record, including seven years as head coach at Loyola-Concordia, was 32 wins, 27 losses and two ties.
1991 Concordia Stingers women’s rugby team
When the members of the Concordia Stingers women’s rugby team gathered for the first time in the summer of 1991, they could not have predicted the amazing season that was about to unfold or that they were going to become part of one of Concordia University’s great sports dynasties.
With about 20 rookies and a new head coach, the team started its journey. The Stingers rolled up an 8-1 win-loss record in Quebec university regular season action. The only loss came at the hands of the McGill University A team. The score was 4-3. Those four points were the only ones given up by Concordia as the team outscored its opponents 162 to 4.
