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, 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)

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The Vikings high school football team operated between 1959 and 1972, and featured an undefeated team in 1967.

formed with Camrose occurred in 1967-68 and on campus and is studentLutheran College (CLC) as 1981-82 when competitions led and supported by the one of five college members ended. Pastor Lunde was Augustana Nordic Adviinvolved; exhibition season also the head coach of the sory Committee and the of volleyball, hockey, crosscountry running, curling, wrestling team. Team attended tournaCamrose Ski Club. Biathlon badminton and bowling, with Gibson leading athletics at CLC. 1965–Hockey, wrestling, golf and volleyball were added as officially ments at U of Alberta, U of Calgary and the ACAC Championships. Team members also participated in provincial championships. Biathlon at CLC/ Augustana (1980-present as a club sport). For many years, the campus was home to the sanctioned conference Canoeing only collegiate biathlon sports. Canoeing at CLC/ program in Canada–it pro1968–WICC was Augustana was offered vided student athletes the changed to Alberta College between 1966-67 and 1997- opportunity to combine Athletic Conference (later 98, when ACAC competi- training with a university changed to Alberta Col- tions ended. education program. leges Athletic Conference– During this time peri- Coaches and biathACAC); Camrose Lutheran College was a charter member. The number and variety of sports have changed over the years. Football od, 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 letes represented Canada at World Cup competitions, the Olympics and the World University Games in many countries around the world. Men’s football championships, the wom- The program had sig(1959–72 when en’s relay team won nine, nificant community supCLC discontin- and the mixed relay team port for coaching, trail and ued participation). won nine. The War Canoe range management and Pastor Karel Lun- conference competition was competition volunteers. de was the coach; won by CLC a total of eight Financial support for the team partici- times. this program was ended in pated in the Central Alberta High School Football League. In 1967, undefeated season with Gibson’s leadership as coach of this team resulted in its continued success. Cross-country skiing Cross-country skiing at CLC/Augustana (19772018, and biathlon continued as a student-led club that is supported by the Augustana Nordic Advisory Committee and the 295 points for and 78 to 2005-06, when ACAC Camrose Ski Club. 57 against. competitions ended). Cross-country running Subsequent During the years of Cross-country running season featured a ACAC competition, the at CLC/Augustana (1964 score differential women’s team won 24 of 28 to present). of 263 for and 14 conference championships, Since 1964, the men’s against, which and the men’s team also team has won 11 ACAC gives an indication won 24 of 28. conference championships of the strength of the program against teams such as Wetaskiwin, Sedgewick, Camrose Composite High School, St. Pat’s and 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 Champlus three CCAA National Championships (2003, 2004 and 2007). The women’s team has won 10 ACAC conference championships plus two CCAA National ChampionAlberta College. pionships and Canadian ships (2005 and 2006) and Wrestling Championships. one CCAA silver medal in Wrestling at Since 2018, cross-coun- 2007. CLC/Augustana try skiing has club status