The University of Toronto Faculty of Physical Education and Health announced today the appointment of Greg DeLaval as an athletic instructor and the new head coach of the Varsity Blues football program effective January 1, 2009.
Serving as interim head coach for the 2008 season, DeLaval helped end the longest losing streak in CIS history. He led the previously 0-49 Blues to their first win in seven seasons and guided the team to a record of 2-6, recording his first CIS victory in his first game as the Blues bench boss on September 1, 2008, defeating the Waterloo Warriors, 18-17, in a thriller at Varsity Centre.
He recorded his second win on September 13th beating the York Lions 58-7 to reclaim the coveted Argo Cup.
“Greg is the right fit,” said Liz Hoffman, U of T’s Director of Athletics. “He has displayed his commitment and leadership both on and off the field. His vision and direction for the football program builds on the momentum he helped create this past season. I believe the program will continue to grow under his leadership as the team prepares for off-season training in the Varsity Dome.”
Prior to his successful return to the Blues in 2008, DeLaval served as full-time assistant coach during the 2003 through 2005 seasons, coaching special teams and receivers. Holder of a Master’s in Education, he also received accolades for his teaching in the Faculty’s undergraduate BPHE program, and will have teaching responsibilities in his new appointment.
He also spent two CIS seasons (2006-07) as the special teams coordinator and offensive assistant of the University of Calgary Dinosaurs.
“The Varsity Blues football program has entered an era of unprecedented change and challenges,” stated DeLaval. “I believe that progressive thinking, innovation and creativity will be necessary to build a nationally-prominent football program here at U of T. The great part is that the administration, alumni and Varsity Blues family have demonstrated that they feel the same way. I invite anyone to our campus to see for themselves that this is a football program with world class facilities, within a world class institution in a world class city.”
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 from 1998 through 2002. Hel has co-ordinated recruiting at St. FX, Toronto and Calgary, and recruited the core of the current Varsity Blues veterans.
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, including two during the pre-Grey Cup era (1895, 1905), four Grey Cup’s (1909, 1910, 1911, 1920), two Vanier Cups (1965, 1993), and have won have won 25 Yates Cup conference championships since the establishment of intercollegiate play in 1898.
The Varsity Blues move into their renovated locker room in the new Varsity Pavilion prior to the start of training camp, which is set to commence on August 24th. They kick off the regular season on Monday, September 7th by hosting the Laurier Golden Hawks at 7:00 p.m. For further information, visit http://www.varsityblues.ca/.
2009 Varsity Blues Football Schedule
Sept. 7 – Laurier at Toronto – 7:00 pm
Sept. 12 – Toronto at Windsor – 1:00 pm
Sept. 18 – Guelph at Toronto – 7:00 pm
Sept. 25 – Ottawa at Toronto – 7:00 pm
Oct. 3 – Toronto at York – 1:00 pm – Red and Blue Bowl for the Argo Cup
Oct. 8 – Toronto at McMaster – 7:00 pm
Oct. 17 – Waterloo at Toronto – 1:00 pm – Shrine Game
Oct. 24 – Toronto at Western – 1:00 pm