From the Archives: Blue Bomber Legacy

From the Archive By Samantha eadie, archivist

In celebration of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ 2019 Grey Cup championship, this article will explore the early relationship between the CFL team and our St. Paul’s Crusaders.

Blue Bomber legacy at st. paul's

The organization of the St. Paul's Crusaders during the 1931-1932 school year coincided with the formation of the Winnipeg Football Club, or the ‘Pegs, in the early 1930s. The development of the club - which was renamed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1936 - attracted many skilled rugby-football players to Winnipeg. With their dedication to the sport, several of these early players became involved with local high school teams, including the St. Paul's Crusaders

According to our archival sources, the relationship officially began in 1932 when the high school team was coached by 'Pegs player, Francis ‘Toots’ Wiggins. Following Wiggins’s short stint as coach, the team was taken over by revered footballer, Greg Kabat. Kabat coached the Crusad- ers from 1933 to 1940, with a short break in 1936 to coach the younger teams. Under Kabat’s guidance, the Crusaders won the Manitoba Schools Rugby League championship title six times. This success was complemented by the 'Pegs' own, as the team won their first official Grey Cup in 1935.

With Kabat’s departure from both teams, several Blue Bomber play- ers succeeded him, serving in the role of coach and assistant coach. Counted amongst these ranks were Wayne Sheley (coached 1941-1942), Ches McCance (1943), Cam Doherty (1934-1935, 1946-1947), Harry Fitzgibbons (1948), Dean Bandiera (1951-1952), and Joe Zaleski (1954). A number of these coaches had a history as both a Blue Bomber and Crusaders player, including Steve Shiska ’33 (1936), Larry Desjardins ‘41 (1945, 1947-1950), Kas Vidruk ’42 (1944), and George Depres ’46 (1947- 1950).

The long-term relationship lasted until the mid-1950s when Joe Zaleski was picked up by the Montreal Alouettes. Since then, Crusaders coaches have been chosen from amongst faculty, alumni, and community members. Recently, this historic connection was revived as former Blue Bombers defensive back, Kevin Fogg, served as an assistant coach dur- ing the 2017-2018 season.

The early history of the St. Paul’s Crusaders football team will be explored in a new display in the Paul Albrechtsen MultiPlex, opening in the Spring of 2020. Please direct any inquiries to the St. Paul’s High School Archive via email at sphsarchives@stpauls.mb.ca.

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1.Late 1940s Crusaders with coach, c. 1947 2. Coach Wayne Sheley with Ted Korenko and Freddie Miller, c. 1942 3. Coach ‘Toots’ Wiggins, c. 1932-1933 4. Coach Greg Kabat, c. 1930s 5. Coach Larry Desjardins, Photo Courtesy of the Winnipeg Tribune Fonds, University of Manitoba Archives

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