Led by head coach Bob Laycoe, a Linfielder, the ‘miracle’ U of Toronto Blues became 1993 champions of Canadian university football.
It almost didn’t happen.
The 1993 University of Toronto (U of T in Canada) Varsity Blues football program was given a death sentence.
U
of T said the program would be discontinued in budget cutting. But,
thanks to alumni and friends, Blues football played the 1993 season and
-- led by Linfielder Bob Laycoe as head coach -- they won the Vanier
("Van Yay") Cup as champions of Canadian university football.
The 29th Vanier Cup was played Nov 20, 1993, at SkyDome in Toronto. U of T beat the University of Calgary, 37-34.
The
Blues compiled a program-best 11-1 overall record. They were 6-1-0
during regular season play, losing only to the U of Western Ontario.
When
you visit the Blues football dressing room you will see a sign asking
players to “Remember Who You Are” in reference to the Blues’ history.
The
team historian said Laycoe (Linfield Class of 1968, an outstanding
Linfield football player) coined this phrase and “it has become somewhat
of a mantra for the program,” he told the Toronto Star.
Although
Laycoe coached football (at the University of British Columbia, the
University of Saskatchewan and U of T) for three decades, it was not his
only role. He also served as a mentor and an inspirational leader to
his players, founded on the belief of a holistic approach to the
development of a complete student-athlete.
"I
have tried to give my players something they will remember and carry
with them through life," Laycoe said in a 2002 interview with U of T’s
The Varsity. "That's what football is all about, so much more than just
winning and losing."
Due to a neurological
disorder, Laycoe retired as U of T head football coach in 2001 He died
Dec. 28, 2020, at age 73 in Penticton, B.C., from Parkinson ’s disease
complications.
……………………
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT BOB LAYCOE
=Bob Laycoe, former Wildcat football standout, started at Linfield as a 16-year-old
http://wildcatville.blogspot.com/2020/07/bob-laycoe-former-wildcat-football.html
Dec 29, 2020
=Sad news from British Columbia, Canada: Bob Laycoe, Linfield Wildcat, died 28 Dec 2020
http://wildcatville.blogspot.com/2020/12/sad-news-from-british-columbia-canada.html
-Nov 16, 2020
=Laycoe name as certain (hockey) ring(s) to it!
http://wildcatville.blogspot.com/2020/11/laycoe-name-has-certain-hockey-rings-to.html
Nov 15, 2020
=Fierce Gene Forman, Linfielder (Eugene R-G story from 1975)
http://wildcatville.blogspot.com/2020/11/fierce-gene-forman-linfielder.html
Nov 15, 2020
=Speaking of ice hockey, Hal and Bob Laycoe
http://wildcatville.blogspot.com/2020/11/speaking-of-ice-hockey-hal-and-bob.html
Dec 29, 2020
Sad news from British Columbia, Canada: Bob Laycoe, Linfield Wildcat, died 28 Dec 2020
http://wildcatville.blogspot.com/2020/12/sad-news-from-british-columbia-canada.html
