In 1995 a group of 19 talented and dedicated soccer players-13 Nova Scotians along with six imports from Ontario and England-brought home a national Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) championship title for Dalhousie University. This was the first, and to date the only, national win for a men’s university soccer team in Nova Scotia. Shortly after the team roster was selected, at training in Greenwood, midfielder Mike Ayyash remembers thinking, “Is there a better team in the country? Is this the best?” It turns out it was.

The Tigers squad had an undefeated regular season with eight wins and three ties. The team then hosted the Atlantic University Athletic Association (AUAA) championships at Dalhousie’s new artificial Wickwire Field, defeating both UPEI and UNB without allowing any goals. They would then advance to nationals at the University of Quebec, Trois Rivières. The success of the Dalhousie team, while fuelled by a roster of raw talent, can be mainly attributed to the group’s excellent chemistry both on and off the field. The strong leadership of the coaching and management staff was also a key asset en route to the CIAU win.

“The team was a very cohesive unit, which is one of the primary goals of a team in a very short 11-week season,” says head coach Ian Kent. “Your spot was safe as long as you performed up to par knowing if you did not, no matter who you were, someone was eagerly waiting to take your place.” Kent was known to run a tight ship. There were multiple mornings when all team members received a 5 a.m. wakeup call telling them to show up at Point Pleasant Park by 6 a.m. if they wanted to play in that weekend’s game. The players then ran wind sprints up the hill for as long as they could manage “These were strategically scheduled when I would invariably find out about the lads going for more than a few brew the Sunday night following yet another successful weekend doubleheader,” says Kent. “There were six or seven of us down in the ditch losing our breakfast,” recalls winger Chad Denny. “It was another moment that solidified the team. No one wanted to be left off the roster.” “I coach kids now and tell them that’s what it took,” says Ayyash, “-6 a.m. runs in the park.” The early morning training paid off when the Tigers arrived in Trois Rivières as the underdogs of the tournament and had to first face Ontario champions Brock University. “We definitely relished the role as underdogs,” says goalkeeper Trevor Chisholm.

After tying Brock 1-1, Chisholm’s goalkeeping skills were invaluable for a 2-1 win over the highly skilled McGill team. Dalhousie was then set to battle the Alberta Golden Bears in the national final. The Golden Bears were the favoured team to win and champions of the powerhouse Canada West conference. In the group stages of the CIAU competition, Alberta, with seven national team players on its roster, had easily defeated the host team 6-1. Prior to the final, the Dalhousie team encountered members of the Golden Bears who prematurely congratulated the Nova

Scotia team on their silver medal. Winger Paul English used this taunt as fuel to fire up his fellow teammates and rally their spirits for the big game. “I’ve never been on a team that was so united,” says Ayyash. The unity of the team was put to the test the next day as Dalhousie took on Alberta in a howling snowstorm.

“The field was a complete disaster,” says Chisholm. “The conditions were harsh,” says Denny. “The game became a battle of who wanted it more.” And Dalhousie proved they had the greater thirst for gold by grabbing an early lead thanks to a goal by winger Chad Thorpe, strong defence from players like Chris Devlin and Stephen Cormier, and intimidating goalkeeping by Mike Hudson. The Golden Bears tied the game in the 67th minute, but the Tigers regained their lead in the 81st minute when Dartmouth-born Graeme Allardice, who was celebrating his 21st birthday that day, made his first goal of the season to secure Dalhousie’s place as national champions. Mark Ellis then ensured the win with another goal in the final minutes of the game. The Dalhousie squad was soon singing “Silver Bears” after defeating the Alberta team 3-1. The team included AUAA All-Stars Trevor Chisholm, Paul English, Chris Devlin, Marc Rainford, and Ante Jazic. Jazic, a midfielder hailing from Bedford, was also named AUAA Rookie of the Year and CIAU 2nd Team

All Canadian, later playing professionally for 16 years. Paul English and David McFarlane earned CIAU Tournament All-Star status, with English later becoming CIAU MVP for 1996. Despite the extensive accomplishments of individual players, Dalhousie claimed its national victory because of the way these gifted athletes worked together as a team. Chisholm sums the championship journey up perfectly: “We won it for each other.”

Players: Graeme Allardice, Mike Ayyash, Trevor Chisholm, Stephen Cormier, Chad Denny, Chris Devlin, Mark Ellis, Paul English, Jeff Hibberts, Mike Hudson, Jeff Hyles, Ante Jazic, Gregor MacAskill, David McFarlane, Sean Pedersen, Eric Pinfold, Marc Rainford, Matthew Serieys, and Chad Thorpe. Coaching and Management Staff: Darrell H. Cormier (Assistant Coach), Ian Kent (Head Coach), Paul Repp (Manager), Jamie Sawler (Assistant Coach), and Keith Souchereau (Assistant Coach).