Saint Mary’s University introduces new director of athletics and recreation

Scott Gray

Saint Mary’s University is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Gray to the position of director, athletics and recreation at Saint Mary’s University, effective November 6, 2017.

“I am very happy to announce the appointment of Scott Gray as our new director of athletics and recreation,” said Saint Mary’s University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “Scott is a seasoned athletics and recreation administrator who brings a holistic approach to athletics and recreation to our campus. He understands the important role that sport, recreation, health and wellness play in student life at Saint Mary’s, and he will be an excellent support for our students, student-athletes, coaches, faculty and staff.”

Gray joins the university from Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology, where he led the athletics department and managed the college’s recreation facility since 2006.  In that role he was responsible for the college’s various athletic programs including varsity sport, club sport, campus recreation and community ventures.

“My primary focus is on student engagement and student involvement in athletics and recreation on campus,” said Gray. “I want to build on the proud traditions of the Huskies and also continue to promote our facilities as a place for recreation, wellness and community connection.”

Gray has served as a head coach and assistant coach in various sports at the recreational, collegiate and university level.  He has assumed many leadership positions within both the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and the Ontario Collegiate Athletic Association (OCAA). Most recently, he served as president of the OCAA from 2014 to 2017.

Gray has also been an active athletics and recreation leader in his local community. He has served as the vice-president: director of operations, and a founding member, of the Sault Minor Football Association. He has also served in leadership roles in the community supporting curling, cross country and women’s volleyball.

Gray is a graduate of Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Physical Education. As a student at Queen’s, he was also an Academic All Canadian (football) and Vanier Cup Champion.

Back-to-back national football champions inducted into the Saint Mary's Sport Hall of Fame

Back-to-back national championships were honoured this year as two Saint Mary's University football teams were inducted into the Saint Mary's University Sport Hall of Fame, October 15.

In 2001, the Saint Mary's Huskies knew they had a special football team. The team went on a blistering 11-0 run that season, outscoring their regular league opposition 480-35 and post- season opponents 128-31. During this dominant season, the team did not give up a single rushing touchdown.

Blake Nill, head coach of the Huskies 1998 - 2005 commented, "What makes this time of my career so special was not just the on-field accomplishments by an outstanding group of athletes and coaches but how we were viewed off field.  There was a Huskies presence throughout campus, the city of Halifax and the province.  The 2001 and 2002 editions of Huskies Football were teams that truly represented the Maritimes, their pride, and the long standing traditions of this community".

Then assistant coach Steve Sumarah said that he considered the 2001 Huskies "the most dominant team in the history of Canadian university football." The team went on to defeat the Laval Rouge et Or 48-8 in the Atlantic Bowl and then the Manitoba Bisons 42-16 in the Vanier Cup game where they became national champions.

The 2002 season proved more challenging for the defending Vanier Cup Champions.  Losing to both Acadia Axemen and St. Francis Xavier X-Men, the team went on to post a 6-2 regular season record, tying St. Francis Xavier for top spot in the conference but claiming the conference's top spot due to a greater point spread. The Huskies went on to defeat St. Francis Xavier 63-14 for the Atlantic Championship.

Led by quarterback Steve Panella, who would be named the Vanier Cup's Most Valuable Player, Saint Mary's would go to defeat their dogged rivals the Saskatchewan Huskies 33-21 in the national championships to become the first repeat winner of the Vanier Cup in 25 years.

The 2001 and 2002 Saint Mary's Huskies championship football teams were inducted into the Saint Mary's University Sport Hall of Fame during Homecoming Weekend, October 15th.

Historic all-black line discusses past and future of black athletes in hockey

Damon Kwame Mason, Darrell Maxwell, Bob Dawson, Percy Paris, Willie O'Ree

In 1970, Bob Dawson, Percy Paris, and Darrell Maxwell formed the first all-black line on a Canadian university hockey team. On October 12, the historic linemates revisited their alma mater for an exciting and moving evening looking at the history—and future—of black athletes in hockey, in Nova Scotia and internationally.

The evening included a screening of Soul on Ice: Past, Present, Future, a feature-length documentary about the history, current state of play, and prospects of black hockey players. Filmmaker Damon Kwame Mason was in attendance, along with Willie O’Ree, the first black player in the NHL and currently the league’s Diversity Ambassador.

Following the screening, the former players engaged in a panel discussion, moderated by former CBC sports broadcaster Bruce Rainnie, and shared stories of their youth and early athletic careers, and engaged with contemporary questions around politics, race, and sport.

The event received generous support from the Province of Nova Scotia 150 Forward Fund and, at Saint Mary’s University, the Office of the President, Alumni Affairs, the Department of History, the Centre for the Study of Sport and Health, the Centre for the Interdisciplinary Study of Culture, and the Atlantic Canada Studies Program.

Saint Mary’s honours back-to-back national football championship teams with Hall of Fame induction

Back-to-back national championships are being honored this year as two Saint Mary’s University football teams will be inducted into the Saint Mary’s University Sport Hall of Fame.

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