Athlete - Basketball, Soccer, Track & Field
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998
Frederick Spicer, a graduate of the Parrsboro High School, was an outstanding all-round athlete at Acadia, being a key member of several interclass championship teams in track, the Bulmer run, soccer and basketball.
It was, however, as a member of the Red and Blue’s varsity track and field and intermediate and varsity rugby squads that he truly made his mark in athletic circles.
Fred first came to the forefront on the Acadia campus during May of 1933 when he, in the, midst of such accomplished teammates as Arnold Tedford, Karl Sullivan, Bernie Cain, Ronald Densmore, Graham Runnells and others, was praised for his contribution to the Fred Kelly-coached Maritime Intercollegiate championship track and field team.
Competing that day at Raymond Field in the mile relay, he combined with Sullivan, Densmore and Runnells, to win the event in a time of 3’48”.
On a subsequent May Day during the spring of ‘34, Fred and his teammates failed to win the Maritime crown finishing on that occasion behind Mount Allison. Personally, however, Mr. Spicer did win the 440 yard run in a time of 54 seconds and he and his relay teammates were denied a record-setting performance when one member ran out of bounds.
May 19, 1935 was another memorable day for the Kelly-directed track and field performers as they were successful in returning the prestigious William H. Dennis Trophy, emblematic of tri-province supremacy, to Acadia.
On a perfect spring day at Raymond Field, Acadia took first place in nine of sixteen events, but barely managed to eke out a one-half point win over Mount Allison. Sharing the spotlight with Fred that day included Ron Peck in the 220 and 440 yard runs, Rod Ideson in the shot put and discus and Jessie Harding in the mile run.
Personally, Fred placed second in the 440 yard run, third in the shot put and combined with Runnells, Jim Feindel and Cameron Spurr to win the mile relay in the nearly record-breaking time of 3’43 “.
Being captain of the varsity track and field team during this senior year of’36, Fred once more was a valuable member of the Acadia squad that again earned Maritime Intercollegiate honours. A personal highlight for the then experienced Mr. Spicer was once more being a member of the mile relay team that included Murray Ross, Feindel and Spurr that crossed the finishing line ahead of the Mount Allison quartet -allowing the Kelly men again to finish first.
During his junior year, Fred was encouraged to test his rugby skills. Consequently, joining the squad in October of ’34 he joined such stalwarts as Jim Feindel, Everett Cameron, Leon and Robert Shaw, Rod Ideson and others as they defeated King’s College 9-3, to win the Halifax Intermediate Rugby crown. On November 24th at Raymond Field, Spicer and teammates defeated Sydney Mines 11-0, to win the provincial intermediate championship.
Being elevated to the varsity squad during his senior year, Fred-playing in the company of captain Doug Ralston, the Shaws, Tedford, Ideson, Neil Sanford, Jim Beveridge, Harold Allaby and all-contributed well to the Kellymen’s conquest of the provincial intercollegiate title. In Acadia’s 6-3 win over St.F.X., game reports indicate that it was not until the end of the half that Fred Spicer scooped up a loose ball and passed it to Ted Ellsworth who scored near the corner. Following a successful penalty kick by St. Francis’ Les Topshee that tied the game, Harold Allaby ultimately scored the historic try which gave Acadia possession of the provincial intercollegiate title.
On an individual basis Fred, in addition to playing on championship track and football teams during his senior year, was able to be a class representative on the Students’ Council, serve as class president and hold the prominent position as Acadia Athletic Association president.
Following graduation, Mr. Spicer enjoyed a successful career with the Steel Company of Canada situated in Hamilton, Ontario. Following retirement from the Steel Company, he worked for DEVCO, assisting in developing markets for Nova Scotia steel.