University of Toronto Athletics

The Varsity Blues men’s track and field team dominated all competition in 1953-54 on their way to becoming the CIAU champions and winners of the Tait MacKenzie trophy for the first time in five seasons.

The Blues total team points almost topped the combined efforts of McGill, Western, Queen’s and McMaster. They accumulated nine gold, five silver and five bronze medals at the 1954 CIAU championships and only missed medalling in the pole vault event.

Dick Harding led the way for Toronto with two gold medals in the 220 yard dash and quarter mile run, and went on to compete at the 1954 Commonwealth Games and 1956 Olympic Games. Bob Hamilton picked up one gold in the broad jump and two silvers in the hurdle events.

Norm Williams also added two gold medals in the hurdle events, while Larry Yeigh, Barry West and Juri Vrzesnevski won the 100 yard dash, high jump and javelin, respectively.

With most of the roster still intact from the previous season, the 1954-55 Blues repeated as CIAU champions and won their second consecutive Tait MacKenzie trophy.

Again the Blues total team points almost surpassed the combined efforts of McGill, Western, Queen’s and McMaster.

Harding again led the way, winning the 100 and 200 yard dash as well as the quarter-mile race. He was awarded the CIAU Hec Phillips Trophy for outstanding male performer.

Wiliiams posted a triple-gold performance in the hurdle events and broad jump, while John Chisholm won the javelin and team captain Herb Tilson garnered gold in the three mile race.

The next year, head coach Hal Brown went on to coach Canada at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome.