By Paul CaporicciSports Information Director

The Golden Hawk Football Team is coming off a highly successful season that saw them end with a 7-1 regular season record and Yates Cup finalists. With all-stars like Praamsma, Talbot, Ruiz and Millington moving on due to graduation, there are many holes to fill. However, the recent years of stellar recruit-ing classes are about to pay huge dividends. The new faces you will see on this year’s team are the guys who have always been working hard and learning from the all-stars. These players are now going to have the oppor-tunity to prove that Laurier success is not a direct relation to being an all-star, but work-ing together as a team. This past winter seventy-four players participated in workouts. The format was the same: two agility prac-tices and a four-day strength training program each week. One important modification has been the purchase of the world-renowned Brigham Young strength and condition-ing program. This curriculum offers a vast improvement in flexibility as it is specifically tailored to each person’s body type as well as their specific football position. This is a year round program and the results have already been real-ized during April testing with twenty-eight players making

the 300 lbs club and twenty-seven players making 1000 lbs club. This is a significant improvement from last year when twenty-two made the 300 lbs club and only thirteen made the 1000 lbs club. The winter workouts ended with a 4-day spring camp. Seventy-two athletes participated in this year's camp, which began before final exams. The atmosphere was upbeat as many players were vying for vacant starting positions left due to gradu-ation. Spring camp ended with a controlled scrimmage to observe how this new unit would work together. While winter workouts and spring camp were going on, the coaching staff was busy hosting over one hundred for-mal visits from recruits. The University’s commitment to Athletics was quite evident

as University President Dr. Rosehart personally met with fifty of those athletes and their families. In the end, forty-four athletes commit-ted to wearing the purple and gold this upcoming season. Head Coach Rick Zmich com-mented, “Our two previous recruiting classes were simply outstanding. Which makes it hard to imagine, but this is the best class that we’ve had in the last ten years”. With only a few short weeks away from training camp, the excitement around the program continues to grow. A shortened fall train-ing camp waits, along with a new Labor Day night game versus the Waterloo Warriors. I invite everyone to witness that though the torch has been passed, there is a team who is ready to take it.

Alumni Invited

President Tom Allen invites any alumni seeking to be actively involved in the 5th Quarter Club to a pre-game reception on Saturday, September 3rd. The location will be at Lucinda House, which is located adjacent to University Stadium. Kick-off versus the Waterloo Warriors will be at 7:30 pm. For more information, please contact Roly Webster at (519) 884-0710 ext. 3289

Corporate Tents

Four corporate tents are available to be rented at each Golden Hawk home football game. There is limited avail-ability. Cost is $1,500 which includes food, drinks, and game tickets for 24 people. For more information contact Roly Webster at (519) 884-0710 ext. 3289 or email rweb-ster@wlu.ca.

Thank you Employers

The Golden Hawks would like to thank the following people for their assistance in hiring a Golden Hawk. Your support is appreciated.• Fairway Lumber (Grady DeVrese)• City of Kitchener (Shelley Adams)• Gateman Malloy (Wayne Milne)• Mitchler Roofing (Gary Mitchler)• Coca Cola (Buddy Herold)• WLU Athletics (Sue Lindley)• WLU PP&P (John Campbell)

This year's successes will come from tackling, scoring and winning together as a team.

Wilfrid Laurier University5th Quarter Club

From the Home of Golden Hawk Football

Becoming a Team

For more information please visit our website atwww.laurierathletics.com

Volume 4, Issue 2 Fall 2001

What did Laurier Golden Hawk Football give to you during your playing years?

My answer to that question is as follows:

1. Hard work ethics and discipline.2. Determination to meet challenges and to succeed.3. Gave a sense of belonging and formed life long friendships.4. It taught me to make tough decisions and have the courage to take risks overcoming fears and self-doubt. It gave me confidence.5. Highlight of my university years.

If you believe that Laurier Football gave to you, one or all of the above gifts, then it is time to give back to the current generation of Golden Hawk Football Players by joining the Golden Hawk Club. Entry level membership to The 5th Quarter Club starts at $20.00 / month or $200.00 lump sum. Our membership has grown and for those who haven’t joined, I encourage you to complete the pledge card enclosed. Besides your financial commitment, we need a few good men (no not the movie) to volunteer to be on the executive of The 5th Quarter Club. We need representatives to help coordinate your teammates, especially those who played 70-75, 76-80, 80-85. Help organize a reunion or get-together with your former teammates. The camaraderie at the pre/post game receptions is wonderful and I encourage all to become part of it. I hope to see you at games this fall, especially Homecoming on September 29 vs. McMaster. On Friday, September 28th, Hall of Fame Dinner, we will celebrate the 10th anniversary of our Championship 1991 Vanier Cup.

Sincerely,

Thank you for your continued

support

Contributions to the football program totaled $106,326.86 last year. Donations made go directly to enhancing the quality of the football pro-gram. If you would like any information on how you can support our football program please contact Tom Allen (416) 347-7185. We would like to thank the following people for their support of Golden Hawk Football in the past year:

Dear Friends of Golden Hawk Football:

On behalf of the players, coaches and support staff allow me to thank you for your assistance in our success. Your dedication and pride in your Alma mater allows our athletes the opportu-nity to grow as both people and football players. 2001, marks a year in which our program is in transi-tion. With the departure of fifty percent of our starters (ten Conference All-Stars, six All-Canadians), young players will be called upon to fill the void of these great athletes. In true Hawk fashion, look for an aggressive and athletic team that wears the purple and gold with similar pride that has been the signature of our program for over fifty years. Sincerely Yours,

Coach’s Corner

Time to Give Back

Richard AgroAnthony AhmadTom AllenChris AmorDonald ArcherJohn ArnoldiBill BallardPeter BatsonBrian BrecklesGary BrohmanBill BurkartStacey CorayDennis EwaldGlenn FergusonMark ForsythWallace GablerPaul GianneliaJohn GlassfordBob GoodmanGarry GoodmanJon GraffiMurray GreenTerry HarveyTom HazellWayne HeslopTim HillBill HoganCynthia HwangPeter IzzioPeter JamiesonRick KalvaitisJames KarnDavid KnightDouglas KnightJohn KruspeAndrew KuskeGlen LeachDavid LeemingPaul MarkleMichael McKenna

Mike McMahonBradley McMillanMichael MilovickMurray MitchellPaul MoffattBryan MonteithMatthew MorrisGreg NewbroughRich NewbroughCharlie OlverRick PajorBill ParsonsRod PhilpLes ProtopapasJeremy RakowskyJim RandleTerry ReidelBryan ReinerDavid RobertsonRobert RosehartDave ScharmanKyle SchilkeR. SmerchinskiDon SmithRalph Spoltore Jr.Ralph Spoltore Sr.Arthur StephenGary StockieEd StrohackGregg SweeneyMichael SweeneyDavid TartagliaEd TyroBernard VerbanacMichael VoisinJeffrey WeddigJohn WeirKenneth WillDave YurincichRichard Zmich

Tom Allen, team of '68.I can be reached at 416-347-7185

Olympic Track Coach works with Hawks

At the end of spring camp, some of the players separated for summer, but many stayed in Waterloo. These players had the opportunity to work with Brent McFarlane, who was the Head Coach of the Olympic Track Coach. Brent graciously assisted two nights a week for the entire sum-mer with track workouts. Emphasis at practices was on agility, speed, and endurance. Anywhere from 20-30 players were in attendance at each session. Each Sunday the players would take a break from the drills and take part in a pass skeleton.

Attention 1972 Hawk Team

This year at the Vanier Cup all players from the 1972 match-up of Laurier versus Alberta are to be honoured. Each player will receive two tickets to the 2001 Vanier Cup and you will be able to purchase all additional tickets at a dis-counted rate of $20. You will also receive two tickets to the pre-game luncheon and will be able to purchase additional tickets at $15.00/person. Be sure to take advantage of the special hotel room rate at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. Please contact Mike McKenna at (416) 343-9974 for more info. The activities of the day will be as follows: • Pre-game luncheon at Vinnie’s (1:00 pm) • Procession from reception to SkyDome (5 minute walk)• On-field procession during pre-game ceremonies • Prime seating for 2001 Vanier Cup (4:30 pm kickoff)

This year’s Hall of Fame committee has selected Peter Gisborn and John Watson along with the 1991 Football Team to be inducted into this year’s Hall of Fame. The 16th Annual Hall of Fame ceremony will take place on Friday, September 28th at the Waterloo Inn. The reception starts at 6:00 pm with dinner at 7:00 pm. The induction ceremony will follow dinner. Peter Gisborn started every game for the Hawks from 1989 to 1994. A high-light in his career was being named to the All-Canadian team in 1993. Peter was also team captain and an impor-tant member of the 1991 CIAU Championship team. Gisborn went on from Laurier to play in the CFL.

John Watson was a foot-ball player in the late 60s at Laurier. He was team cap-tain on the 1968 team who won the Central Canada Intercollegiate Football Conference Championships and were College Bowl final-ists. Impressively, John was an OUAA All-Star, OUAA Hec Creighton Nominee and Team MVP. John also found time to be an important member of the Lettermen’s Executive. In addition to the out-

standing players inductions, will be the induction of the 1991 Golden Hawk Football Team, Laurier’s first and only national championship in football. Ten years have passed by since that memo-rable season and now, it is time to pay tribute to this out-standing accomplishment. Tickets are on sale now, at the WLU Athletic Complex, or you can reserve by phone at (519) 884-0710 ext. 2184. Seating is limited, so get your tickets now.

By Paul CaporicciSports Information Director

Ask any past or present Laurier football player about their hardest experience at this University. The answer you will certainly find is attempt-ing to balance precious time between football and school. However, there are two cur-rent Laurier football players who seem to excel at this task. Both Offensive Lineman Jeff Melis and Defensive Tackle Josh Alexander started every game for the Hawks last year. In addition, both individu-als were named Academic All-Canadians for their excel-lent academic standings. Josh, an Honours Business Administration student explains, “The key is time management. Sometimes you have to balance the prac-tice time and work”. Jeff is an Honours Kinesiology and Physical Education student. I guess we can now throw out that stereotypical “dumb linemen” notion?

Goal setting is a com-mon tool used by the coach-ing staff to allow players to achieve on the field as indi-viduals and collectively as a team. Most of us do not think of using this program in the classroom though. It is no surprise that goal setting the-ory transferred quite nicely to the classroom for Alexander. “Actually, being named Academic All-Canadian was a goal that I set before the sea-son started”, Josh reveals. “It shows that you can compete at a high level on the field and excel in the classroom”. This proven success is used as an important selling point to recruits by the coaching staff at Laurier. This past year Golden Hawk football endeavored to assist athletes through a study hall program, which was supervised and monitored by Head Coach Rick Zmich. “The purpose of this program is to provide all the neces-sary tools for the students to harness their full academic

potential,” Zmich clarifies. Seminars, tutors and men-tors are all available under the program. This upcoming year will see it expand to four different weekly times drawing for ongoing devel-opment between the players, coaches, athletics administra-tion as well as various aca-demic departments. Zmich explains, “To remain a highly competitive program, you have to have football players who are here over the long haul; not just one year won-ders”. Alexander agrees. “This football program is taking great strides in developing student-athletes, not just ath-letes. It is also important to enjoy what you are doing. If you don’t love the sport you play and program you are in, then it can’t happen.” This being said, Alexander and Melis have proved to be intimidating individuals to go up against both on the field and in the classroom.

The Great Balancing Act

2001 Hall of Fame

Andrew Agro - WR - 5’10 160 - BurlingtonAndrew’s athletic talent allowed him to excel on both sides of the ball as receiver and defen-sive back. He was named most outstanding receiver at both the 1999 and 2000 All-Canadian camp. Jeff Austin - LB - 6’2 250 - OakvilleHe combines 4.7 speed and an appetite for contact at the linebacker position. Jeff was recruited heavily by many schools north and south of the border.

Ryan Brown - DB - 5’10 190 - CambridgeSat out 2000 season after starting all eight games for Windsor in 1999. Ryan was an All-Star defensive back in Kitchener-Waterloo as well as for the Brantford Bisons in the OVFL.

Nick Cameron - RB - 5’10 205 - Fenelon FallsNick is one of the premier athletes to come out of the Cawathra area. There have been comparisons drawn to previous Haliburton standout Mike Bradley.

Connor Healey - DB - 5'11 180 - CambridgePlayed both tailback and defensive back for Guelph in the OVFL. Connor has tremendous speed that will be an asset in the secondary and special teams.

Gabriel Hemmingway - RB - 6’0 190 - Beverly Hills, MichiganLed his team in rushing and was awarded Second-Team All-State. Gabriel has recently transferred from Northern Michigan.

Bryon Hickey - SB - 6’2 190 - BurlingtonBryon’s punishing rushes helped lead the Fightin’ Irish to a Halton Championship and Metro Bowl final. He was named Notre Dames most outstanding male athlete for the 2000-01 year.

Ian Logan - DB - 5’8 175 - WaterlooHe is one of the fastest players clocked in Kitchener-Waterloo area. Ian is a thrilling kick returner who can play on both sides of the ball.

Mike Maurice - WR - 6’4 180 - MississaugaHelped lead the Spartans to a Metro Bowl vic-tory and undefeated season. Mike is a trans-formed basketball player who exhibits high level of competitiveness and athleticism.

Reid Parker-Beletz - RB - 5’8 175 - New HamburgSmart, elusive and quick, best describe this ath-lete out of Waterloo-Oxford. Reid was a two-year starter with the Tri-City Vipers and helped lead them to a GLFL championship in 2001.Andrew Piticco - DB - 5’11 185 - Mississauga

Andrew was a two-sport athlete at Lorne Park. He was instrumental in Metro Bowl Championship as well as Peel Rugby Championship

Alex Piticco - DB - 5’11 190 - MississaugaAlong with his brother Andrew, Alex combines natural athleticism along with a dominant physical presence.

Pierre-Denis Plante - LB - 6’0 220 - SarniaPlante is considered one of the top players coming out of Lambton County. Pierre is a physical presence who can play on either side of the ball

Ryan Pyear - QB - 5’11 175 - BellevilleIn 2000, he led the Chargers to a National Capital Bowl victory and undefeated season. Ryan is the premier quarterback to come out of Ontario this year.

Ernie Scalczi - LB - 5’10 228 - Ann Arbour, MIThis transfer from Eastern Michigan University played both outside linebacker and fullback. In high school, Ernie led his team in yards and touchdowns.

Jeff Smeaton - DB - 5’10 180 - BrantfordJeff has a balanced combination of speed and strength at the free safety spot. He helped lead the Bisons to the OVFL final.

Owen Thompson - OL - 6’3 315 - ScarboroughAfter sitting out the 2000 season, this former Yeoman is eligible to play immediately for the Hawks. A former Toronto Thunder and Cedebrae Collegiate star, Owen is tremen-dously quick and strong.

Juan Willison-Scott - REC - 5’10 170 - Plainsboro, NJThis Sunshine Football All-Conference selec-tion combines outstanding receiving skills with an electrifying kick return ability. Juan should contribute immediately to the Golden Hawks.

Michael Zack - DL - 6’2 270 - WellandHe is one of the top linemen to come out of the Golden Horseshoe. Mike demonstrates tremendous athletic ability. It was his size that caught the eyes of the Junior A Hull Olympics who invited him for a tryout.

Mitch Zappitelli - OL - 6’4 300 - OttawaMitch is one of the most impressive big men out of Eastern Ontario. He combines quick feet with impressive size, which allowed him to play Quebec Major Junior A Hockey in 1998.

The Class of 2001 2001 Golden Hawk Schedule

September 3Laurier at Waterloo - 7:30 pmReception @ Lucinda House

12:30 Pregame BBQ

September 8Windsor at Laurier - 2 pm

Partnered with the Laurelwood Optimist Club and participants of the 2001

Golden Hawk Summer Sports Camp

September 15Laurier at Western - 2 pm

London Alumni Chapter will be hosting a pre-game recep-tion for all Laurier Alumni. Please call Christy Niven (519-884-0710 ext. 3180)

September 22Laurier at Toronto - 2 pm5th Quarter Club invite all alumni to the Duke of York

prior to the game

September 29Homecoming

McMaster at Laurier - 2 pmBud Big Rig Tailgate Party

12:00 NoonContact Agnes

(519-884-0710 ext. 2184)for Hall of Fame tickets

For all of your other Homecoming needs, call

Christy Niven (519-884-0710 ext. 3180)

October 6Queen’s at Laurier - 1 pm

City of Kitchener Day where a percentage of sales go as a donation to youth programs

11:30 Pre-game BBQ

October 13Laurier at Ottawa - 2 pm

October 20Guelph at Laurier - 1 pm

United Way DayDonations from gate sales to the United Way Campaign