Hall of Fame
The 1958 Canadian intercollegiate football season belonged to one team and one team only: the Varsity Blues. Coach Dalt White led the Blues to a perfect seasonal record of seven straight league victories and eight overall. In those seven games, U of T notched an impressive 273 points, allowing only 57. They averaged almost 40 points a game and were the first team since 1910 to win all their games—a feat that has yet to be repeated. Arguably one of the best varsity football teams in Canadian intercollegiate history, the Blues were miles ahead of the rest of the league in their depth, speed, passing and solid defense.
Nothing short of the Yates Cup title would satisfy this Blues squad, and they did not disappoint. In the season-ending game against McGill, the Blues dominated from start to finish, for a final score of 50-7. The victors paraded coach Dalt White around the field on their shoulders, and the Yates Cup returned to Hart House for the first time in four years.
An astounding 13 players were awarded conference all-star honours – the most in Varsity Blues history. Though the entire team deserves praise, the achievements of a few are particularly noteworthy. The highly-skilled ball carrier, fullback Peter Joyce, was recognized as the league MVP. Halfback Tim Reid notched over 100 points in his three years with the Blues. Brian Aston’s leadership as quarterback fired the offence all year long, and perennial all-star Curt Russell was the anchor of the impenetrable Varsity defense.
Team members: Walter Adams, Brian Aston, Douglas Baird, James (Sandy) Bell, Malcolm Bell, Duncan Brodie, Nick Bruchovsky, Paul Burroughs, Stephen Chisholm, Gene Chorostecki (co-captain), Mike Chykaliuk, Allan Connolly, David Creswell, Robert Dann, Morgan Dever, Ray Dunn, John Evans, Trevor Eyton, Glenn Harding, Bill Hunter, Don Johnston, Peter Joyce, Larry Joynt, James King, Richard (Ian) Knowles, Santo Martini, David Pinkham, Julian Porter, Tim Reid, Dick Risk, Curt Russell (co-captain), Walter Sopinka, Larry Stacey, Weldon Thoburn, Dalton White (head coach), John Kennedy (assistant coach), John McManus (assistant coach), Howard Ringham (trainer).
