The CAMROSE BOOSTER, May 11, 2021 – Page 8
Augustana athletics celebrates success By Murray Green
Augustana has had a proud, rich athletic history over the past 110 years. The Vikings can be characterized as dedicated and determined student athletes. They work hard to achieve excellence in athletic pursuits and in academic performance. The emphasis by the Vikings coaches is put on the team process, which is based on mutual respect and support. The teams are enthusiastically supported by the students of Augustana and by the community of Camrose. Visiting teams can always look forward to a spirited contest against the Vikings, who never give up. “As can be seen from the list of successes, we have had great student athletes in our team activities,” said Yvonne Becker, former athletic director. Augustana was established by Norwegian pioneers in 1910, and this has certainly influenced the athletics program. Clearly, the Vikings team name was generated from Norwegian inheritance. When considering the Vikings, many may think of them as plundering warriors, a portrait created and perpetuated by popular culture. Mostly, the Vikings were democrats and craftspeople, who were innovative and creative. As well, they spent much time dealing with harsh, outdoor elements. “Perhaps Augustana’s success in outdoor sports is related to this heritage,” said Becker. Dr. Garry Gibson, who began teaching at Camrose Lutheran College in 1964, was instrumental in initiating the athletics program that exists now. Dr. Gibson is an avid outdoors enthusiast and skier,
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The Vikings high school football team operated between 1959 and 1972, and featured an undefeated team in 1967.
who retired from Augustana in 1995. His enthusiasm and persistence created Augustana’s well-organized Nordic programs, championship canoe teams (no longer a sport in the ACAC, but Augustana was a perennial champion in this activity) and an outstanding outdoor education program. He coached many teams, and found ways to create leadership skills in many of the graduating student athletes of Augustana. Many have gone on to teach and coach all over Canada. The following is a timeline of the formation of the Collegiate Conference for Competition started the year Dr. Gibson arrived. 1964–Western InterCollege Conference (WICC)
formed with Camrose Lutheran College (CLC) as one of five college members involved; exhibition season of volleyball, hockey, crosscountry running, curling, badminton and bowling, with Gibson leading athletics at CLC. 1965–Hockey, wrestling, golf and volleyball were added as officially sanctioned conference sports. 1968 –WICC was changed to Alberta College Athletic Conference (later changed to Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference– ACAC); Camrose Lutheran College was a charter member. The number and variety of sports have changed over the years. Football
Men’s football (1959–72 when CLC discontinued participation). Pastor Karel Lunde was the coach; the team participated in the Central Alberta High School Football League. In 1967, undefeated season with 295 points for and 57 against. Subsequent season featured a score differential of 263 for and 14 against, which gives an indication of the strength of the program against teams such as Wetaskiwin, Sedgewick, Camrose Composite High School, St. Pat’s and Alberta College. Wrestling
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Michio Green was one of the fastest runners at Augustana.
Wrestling at CL C /Aug usta na
occurred in 1967-68 and 1981-82 when competitions ended. Pastor Lunde was also the head coach of the wrestling team. Team attended tournaments at U of Alberta, U of Calgary and the ACAC Championships. Team members also participated in provincial championships. Canoeing
Canoeing at CLC/ Augustana was offered between 1966-67 and 199798, when ACAC competitions ended. During this time period, the women’s team won 17 ACAC conference championships, the men’s team won eight, and the mixed team won 11. The men’s relay team won eight ACAC conference championships, the women’s relay team won nine, and the mixed relay team won nine. The War Canoe conference competition was won by CLC a total of eight times. Gibson’s leadership as coach of this team resulted in its continued success. Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing at CLC/Augustana (197778 to 2005-06, when ACAC competitions ended). During the years of ACAC competition, the women’s team won 24 of 28 conference championships, and the men’s team also won 24 of 28. In the mixed relay, CLC/Augustana won an astonishing 28 of 28 conference championships. Other than ACAC competition, the team participated in Alberta Cup races, Western Canadian Championships and Canadian Championships. Since 2018, cross-country skiing has club status
on campus and is studentled and supported by the Augustana Nordic Advisory Committee and the Camrose Ski Club. Biathlon
Biathlon at CLC/ Augustana (1980-present as a club sport). For many years, the campus was home to the only collegiate biathlon program in Canada–it provided student athletes the opportunity to combine training with a university education program. Coaches and biathletes represented Canada at World Cup competitions, the Olympics and the World University Games in many countries around the world. The program had significant community support for coaching, trail and range management and competition volunteers. Financial support for this program was ended in 2018, and biathlon continued as a student-led club that is supported by the Augustana Nordic Advisory Committee and the Camrose Ski Club. Cross-country running
Cross-country running at CLC/Augustana (1964 to present). Since 1964, the men’s team has won 11 ACAC conference championships plus three CCAA National Championships (2003, 2004 and 2007). The women’s team has won 10 ACAC conference championships plus two CCAA National Championships (2005 and 2006) and one CCAA silver medal in 2007. Continued on page 10
