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News Archives » July, 2008
Faculty searches for new assistant dean
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008New interim head coach for women’s soccer
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008The University of Toronto’s Faculty of Physical Education and Health (FPEH) announced today that Varsity Blues assistant coach Eva Havaris has been appointed the interim head coach of the Varsity Blues women’s soccer team for the 2008 season.
Beth McCharles, head coach from 2004-2007, has stepped down as the part-time head coach of the Blues soccer program in order to focus on completing her PhD in Exercise Science-Sport Psychology.
With an already accomplished coaching history, Havaris came to the U of T having served two years as head coach at Fanshawe College (2005-2007). The 2005 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) coach of the year, she led Fanshawe to two consecutive top-two finishes in league play, its first provincial championship in 10 years and a very successful fourth-place finish at the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) national championship in 2005.
Havaris has also been an instrumental leader as head coach of the London City Soccer Club’s U14 and U15 provincial championship teams, and served as an assistant coach with the University of Western Ontario Mustangs in 2004, where she helped guide the team to its first OUA championship in six years. She finished her own illustrious intercollegiate playing career with the Mustangs in 2003 after tallying a long list of awards, including being named the CIS player of the year in her final season.
“Eva’s resume speaks for itself,” states Liz Hoffman, Director of Athletics at the University of Toronto. “She is a young but accomplished coach with an incredible passion for the game. She will undoubtedly continue to develop and grow the Varsity Blues women’s soccer program.”
McCharles made an immediate impact upon her arrival at the University. She led the Blues to a 9-3-1 record and a bronze medal at the OUA championship in 2004 – a major turnaround for a team that saw only one victory in 2003. During her tenure, McCharles was named 2006 OUA coach of the year, while her squads produced four all-Canadians and 17 OUA all-stars.
“Beth did an incredible job as the head coach of our women’s soccer team,” says Hoffman. “We wish her all the best in her studies as she looks to complete a very demanding PhD program.”
A search for a full-time athletic instructor and women’s soccer head coach will begin in October 2008.
The Varsity Blues women’s soccer team finished the 2007 season as the runner-up in the OUA East division. The team lost a quarter-final match to the visiting Carleton Ravens in a shootout, ending their playoff run. Five players were honoured as 2007 OUA all-stars, while one – midfielder Erica Basso – was also named a second team all-Canadian.
U of T is set to host the 2009 CIS women’s soccer championship from November 12th to 15th at Varsity Centre, and will also host the CIS men’s championship in November 2010.
U of T appoints new football leadership
Tuesday, July 15th, 2008Bob Howes and Greg DeLaval will lead the 2008 Varsity Blues football program. Liz Hoffman, the University of Toronto’s Director of Athletics, today announced the interim football staff for the upcoming season, with Howes serving as Director of Football and DeLaval as head football coach.
Under the interim model, Howes will guide the overall direction of the football program and DeLaval will oversee the on-field team operations and recruiting, reporting to Howes.
A national search for a full-time head coach will begin in October 2008.
“I’m just thrilled that Bob agreed to come on board as the Director of Football,” said Hoffman. “He brings such sheer football wisdom and invaluable experience to the table. His strong leadership and underlying knowledge of the Blues football program will be a tremendous resource as he guides the team through the 2008 season.”
Hoffman is also excited about DeLaval’s return to U of T. “Greg was a strong, positive influence on the team in his previous time with the Blues. He has extensive CIS coaching experience and knows our players well, having recruited a number of them. I know that both Bob and Greg will be huge assets to our football program.”
Howes and DeLaval previously coached side-by-side on the Blues staff in 2003 and 2004.
Howes, an offensive line and defensive assistant with U of T in 2003 and 2004, has a quarter-century of CIS coaching experience under his belt. The Thornhill native was the head coach of the Queen’s Golden Gaels from 1995 to 1999 and a two-time OQIFC Coach of the Year. Howes played on the offensive line with the CFL’s BC Lions and Edmonton Eskimos from 1968 to 1981, and has five Grey Cup rings as a member of the Eskimos dynasty of the late-70s and early-80s. In his university days, he played at Queen’s on the offensive line.
“This struck me as a great opportunity to help further the rebuilding process of one of North America’s oldest football teams,” said Howes. “There’s a rich tradition here, an outstanding spirit among the veteran players, and a beautiful new stadium. I’m looking forward to this season. Appointing Greg DeLaval as interim head coach gives the Blues the best chance for success in the 2008 season.”
DeLaval previously served as the Blues full-time assistant during the 2003 through 2005 seasons, coaching special teams and receivers. He has spent the past two CIS seasons as the special teams coordinator and offensive assistant of the Calgary Dinosaurs. DeLaval played with the St. Francis Xavier X-Men, starting at wide receiver in St. FX’s 1996 Vanier Cup appearance and serving as team captain three times. He returned to his alma mater as assistant head football coach for 2001 and 2002. DeLaval has co-ordinated recruiting at St. FX, Toronto and Calgary, and recruited the core of the current Varsity Blues veterans.
“I’m excited to be back with U of T football,” said DeLaval. “There’s a strong commitment to revitalizing football at this school, and I look forward to helping return this team to its former glory.”
Dan Feraday, an executive member of the U of T Friends of Football, enthusiastically welcomed the interim appointments. “It is a positive step in the right direction. Bob’s football history speaks volumes to his leadership and ability to find success.” Feraday, a former Yates Cup winning assistant coach, and recipient of the 1981 Hec Crighton Trophy as most outstanding player in CIS football, noted he had coached with Howes and DeLaval in 2003. “I feel that together they stabilize our current situation with the abilities they bring and very importantly, with their familiarity with all facets of our current program: current players, current assistant coaches, current athletics administration and alumni.”
Returning veteran and team captain Mark Stinson has high hopes for the new leadership. “Both individuals are excellent choices and are very qualified. I came to U of T because of Greg DeLaval and I’m excited that I now have the opportunity to play for him, especially under the leadership of Bob Howes. I believe the two of them will make this transition a lot easier. They know most of the players, they know the program, and more importantly, they know the tradition. It will be a pleasure and an honour to play for them.”
Established in its current form in 1877, the Varsity Blues football program marked its 130th anniversary in 2007 with the opening of the new Varsity Centre, a state-of-the art, 5,000-seat stadium on the site of the historic Varsity Stadium. In 131 years, the Blues have won eight national championships (1895, 1905, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1920, 1965, 1993), and since the establishment of intercollegiate play in 1898 have won 25 Yates Cup conference championships.
Howes and DeLaval will renew acquaintances with Varsity alumni and friends at the annual Friends of Football Golf Tournament on Tuesday, August 5th at Glencairn Golf Club in Milton. For ticket information, call Bonnie Shepherd at 416-978-6944.
The Varsity Blues open their training camp on August 18th and kick off the regular season on Monday, September 1st when they host the Waterloo Warriors at 7:00 p.m. For ticket information, visit www.varsityblues.ca or call Ticket Break at 1-866-9-GET-TIX.
2008 Varsity Blues Football Schedule
Sept. 1 – Waterloo at Toronto – 7:00 pm
Sept. 6 – Toronto at Windsor – 1:00 pm
Sept. 13 – York at Toronto – 1:00 pm – Red and Blue Bowl for the Argo Cup
Sept. 20 – Queen’s at Toronto – 1:00 pm – Shrine Game
Sept. 27 – Toronto at Guelph – 1:00 pm
Oct. 3 – Toronto at McMaster – 7:00 pm
Oct. 9 – Western at Toronto – 7:00 pm
Oct. 18 – Toronto at Ottawa – 1:00 pm
Drakich headed to Beijing
Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008Ed Drakich, the University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s volleyball coach, is the latest Varsity Blue bound for Beijing this summer as one of beach volleyball’s international technical officials for the 2008 Olympic Games.
Drakich will be a member of the control committee, a small group of people that are responsible for managing the entire tournament. This will be Drakich’s first Olympic Games in the capacity. He last attended the games as an athlete in 1996 in Atlanta.
During his time as an athlete at U of T, Drakich won two OUAA titles and a CIAU bronze medal. He was a four-time OUAA all-star and three-time CIAU first team all-Canadian, becoming the first Varsity Blues volleyball player, male or female, to earn a first team all-Canadian honour. Drakich was awarded the 1984-85 George M. Biggs Trophy for the male student who contributed most to athletics, sportsmanship and leadership while at U of T.
Beyond his time as a Varsity Blue, Drakich was a member of the national indoor team from 1985-88 and competed in the 1985 FISU Games and 1987 Pan Am Games. He was a key component of the National beach squad from 1989-96 and represented Canada with fellow Varsity Blues alumni Marc Dunn at the 1996 Olympic Games.
Upon retiring from competition, Drakich has adopted many important roles off the court. He has served as Ontario’s Beach Volleyball Director, a FIVB technical supervisor and Chair of Athletes CAN. As a FIVB technical supervisor, he has been a part of 45 tournaments around the world, most recently visiting China for the China Shanghai Jinshan Open.