1979 and 1981 Acadia University Football Teams

Former assistant football coach Tony Stewart reflects on the 1979 and 1981 football teams who won their respective CIAU College Bowl National championships. He looks back on these two great teams of which the 1979 team celebrates 40 years this season since their incredible feat. The 1979 team is reuniting this Homecoming Weekend at Acadia.

Acadia University has a long and rich sport history on the local, provincial and national scene and no two teams have contributed more to that saga of excellence than the 1979 and 1981 Acadia football teams. For both squads defied considerable odds overcoming what appeared to be insurmountable challenges and achieved the pinnacle of excellence winning Canadian National Championships.

The 1979 football team was one of the greatest football teams in CIS history. Their achievements include a 7-1 record during the regular season, AUS champions, victors of the Atlantic Bowl over the highly regarded University of Alberta Golden Bears and a dominating win over the heavily favoured University of Western Mustangs. The 1981 team was truly remarkable and enjoys the reputation of being one of the most unyielding in CIS history. After achieving a perfect season, the Axemen went on to crush the University of Ottawa in the Atlantic Bowl and, in what is described as one of the most thrilling Vanier Cups ever, came from behind in the dying minutes of the game to claim victory. What makes the players of both of these teams so special was their intense work ethic combined with their resilient mental toughness and self-discipline. They were unfaltering in their commitment to the team and their belief in each other.

 Following their wins in Toronto, both the '79 and '81 National Champions returned home to an appreciative province. The Valley organized an impressive victory parade through the town of Wolfville, much to the delight of hundreds of admiring fans, and team members were honoured by the Premier of Nova Scotia at a special acknowledgment reception at Province House in Halifax.

Acadia University is a tremendous institution of higher learning and team members were provided the opportunity to learn and grow in the classroom, the community and on the field. The lessons learned by the players of both of these National Champions became the principles of how they have lived their lives. Coach John Huard was their teacher, their mentor, their inspiration and as proud as he is of the championships won, he is just as proud of who they are and what they have become. Most of the 1979 and 1981 team members left Wolfville many years ago, however, they still carry that Acadia spirit and pride with them and what we witnessed on the field has carried through to their adult life, and they have become leaders in their professions and communities accumulating an impressive list of lifelong achievements. They are indeed an example for all of us.