September 13, 2006 Source: :
http://www.smu.ca/newsreleases/2006/13-09-2006.html SMU set to honour the greats in varsity sport Saint Mary's is gearing up to induct some sports heroes into its Sport Hall of Fame. Those being inducted this year include Michael Curry, Reginald Joseph MacDougall, and Dr. Robert Ruotolo. The Sport Hall of Fame and Heritage Centre will be holding its induction ceremony on Saturday, September 23, 2006, and will be a true highlight of this year's Homecoming Weekend (Sept. 21 to 24). The reception begins at 9:00 AM and the Induction Ceremony is at 10:00 AM. At 1:00 PM, the Saint Mary’s Huskies football team will host the University of Montreal for an exciting match in Huskies Stadium. "We are proud to have such a high calibre of athletes inducted into our Hall this year," says Dr. David Murphy, Athletics Director at Saint Mary's. He also serves as a member of the Saint Mary's University Sport Hall of Fame and Heritage Centre Steering Committee. "This year we are honouring outstanding athletes from the 50s, 60s and 70s, which clearly demonstrates the tradition of athletic excellence and pride at Saint Mary’s that spans over decades," he adds. >From 1973 to 1977, Curry enjoyed a successful career as a varsity athlete at Saint Mary’s. After graduating from Pinkerton Academy in Derry, New Hampshire, Curry knew that Saint Mary’s was the best place at which to both play football and obtain and education. As a rookie, Curry was a member of the first Vanier Cup College Bowl Championship team and proved himself as a stellar athlete on the field during the 1973 season. In 1974, 1975, and 1976 he was named the AIAA All Star Offensive Guard. Also in 1975 and 1976, he was the Saint Mary’s football team’s Block and Tackle award winner. He was Team Captain in 1975 and 1976 as well as a Letterman during his last two years as a player with the Huskies football team. In 1976 he was named the Saint Mary’s Male Athlete of the Year. As a member of the Saint Mary’s University 1973 football team, he was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame in 1986. Then in 1998, as a member of that same team, he was inducted into the Saint Mary’s University Sport Hall of Fame and Heritage Centre. Curry has always kept in close touch with his fellow football players from the 1970s, and of course is a major supporter of his alma-mater. MacDougall proved he had unique talent both on the ice and field. As a varsity athlete at the University, he played for the Huskies hockey team from 1956 to 1960, and played Junior and Senior Intercollegiate Football from 1957 to 1960. As a football player, he was instrumental in helping his team to a number of notable successes in 1957, which included the Nova Scotia Football Championship, the Maritime Junior Football Championship and the Eastern Canadian Football Championship. In 1959, his team placed second overall in the Maritime Intercollegiate League, and a year later they defeated Dalhousie University and won the Lobster Trap Trophy, emblematic of city university football supremacy. This of course was the Huskies inaugural season in the Atlantic Football Conference, an amalgamation of the Intercollegiate Leagues and the Nova Scotia Senior Football League. He was also a key player on the Huskies hockey team. This team proved to be a force to reckon with as they finished first place overall in the Atlantic Division in 1960. His dedication and talent to varsity sport at the University earned him a special invitation to the Montreal Jr. Canadiens training camp in the summer of 1956. As well, he was named the Athlete of the Year by Saint Mary’s in 1958, and in 1959 was awarded the Most Valuable Player (Hockey) of the Year. During his time at the University, he also served as Treasurer for the Saint Mary’s University Students’ Association (SMUSA). In his final year of studies, SMUSA awarded him with the "Gold M" Award, which is the highest award granted to an individual each year for participation in extra-curricular activities. After graduating from Saint Mary’s, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Education Degree and Master of Education Degree and served as a teacher at a number of schools in Halifax and in Calgary, Alberta. For 25 years, he served as the Saint Mary’s Alumni Representative in Calgary. Dr. Ruotolo graduated from Saint Mary’s in 1965 having left his mark as one of the most outstanding football athletes of the early to mid 1960s. He began playing football in 1953 at the age of 10. He was a lettered athlete in junior high school. In high school he played halfback for Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, which won the Lake Region Championship in his final season, 1958-59. He also was lettered in hockey at Brewster Academy as a goalie. After high school, he was accepted at the University of Wichita, Kansas, and offered a place on the University’s football team with an athletic scholarship pending. Fortunately for Saint Mary’s, his parish priest suggest that he come here to play ball. During his years as a football player with the Huskies, he, along with his fellow teammates, worked hard to reach much deserved success. In 1964, the Huskies football team won the Atlantic Bowl Championship. That same year, he was named All Canadian First Team Middle Linebacker, and for three of his five years at the University he was named Defensive Back Conference All-Star. It should also be mentioned that his athletic career also included a short stint on the Huskies hockey team. In the 1962 season, Mike Antle, the University’ regular goalie, was injured just prior to an up-coming game against rival Acadia University. He was called upon to play in goal in place of Antle. Sure enough, the Huskies won that game and he got a 1-0 shutout, which is another indication of his all round athletic prowess. His extra curricular activities were not limited to sports, as he was also active in student affairs. He served as a council member for SMUSA and he served as President of the Boarder’s Society. These were elected offices with considerable inherent responsibilities. He holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from Dalhousie University, and earned his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in 1973. The purpose of the Saint Mary's University Sport Hall of Fame and Heritage Centre is to recognize those individuals who have made a significant contribution to the athletic programs at Saint Mary's, and who, as a result of this contribution, have enhanced the image and reputation of the institution. In celebration of the rich tradition and heritage of sport and recreation at Saint Mary's University, the Sport Hall of Fame and Heritage Centre was founded in 1995. For well over 200 years, students, faculty and staff have shared a sport tradition as athletes, builders and teams. Saint Mary's University is known for its community outreach projects, both in Canada and around the world. Saint Mary's, founded in 1802, is home to one of Canada's leading business schools, a Science Faculty widely known for its cutting-edge research, a comprehensive and innovative Arts Faculty and a vibrant Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. -30- For More Information: Paul Fitzgerald
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: paul.fitzgerald@smu.ca
www.smu.ca
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