by John Austen

It’s official. Gerry McGrath has been named full-time coach of the Concordia Stingers football team. The announcement was made last week by Harry Zarins, director of Recreation and Athletics.

McGrath, 41, was named interim coach last season after Pat Sheahan resigned after 11 years at the helm of the Stingers. Sheahan now coaches the Queen’s Golden Gaels in Kingston, Ont.
Despite the Stingers poor season in 2000 it was generally assumed that McGrath would be named full-time coach.

“I’m very pleased to have a respected football coach with extensive knowledge of the university game at the helm of our football program,” said Zarins. “In addition to being very knowledgeable, Gerry has a lot of experience working with student-athletes and a deep concern for the well-being of his players.”

At the end of last year, a committee which included player representation reviewed all the applications for the head coaching position and decided McGrath was the best person to lead the team into the new millennium.

“I’m very happy,” said McGrath. “I’m excited and eager about the 2001 season. This job is fulfilling a life-long mandate to work with young people and make a difference in their future.”
McGrath played in the Canadian Football League from 1980-86 with the Montreal Alouettes and Concordes, Toronto, Ottawa and Saskatchewan.

Hockey team fit to be tied

The Stingers men’s hockey team was hoping for a better fate when it played three games in five nights last week. Concordia tied McGill 3-3 in overtime on January 17 after falling behind 3-0 at McGill’s McConnell Winter Arena. Two days later, the Stingers fell behind again, this time 5-2, before roaring back for a 5-5 overtime tie with the Ottawa Gee-Gees at the Ed Meagher Arena.

The Stingers were back at McGill last Sunday, and this time the Redmen beat their cross-town rivals 7-4.

New acquisition David Comeau scored twice for Concordia in the Ottawa game.

Concordia cagers fall

The women’s basketball team fell short of upsetting the unbeaten Laurentian Voyageurs last Saturday, losing 68-60 at Concordia Gym. The Stingers were up 21-10 early in the game, only to be behind 45-41 at half time.

Former John Abbott Islanders Kristina Steinfort and Marie-Pier Veilleux had 13 points each for the Stingers.

The men’s team snapped a three-game winless streak with a 71-68 win over Laurentian. Gavin Musgrave scored 20 points to lead the Stingers. Jonathan Dresner followed with 12 points.
Concordia had been upset the day before, losing 72-64 to the York Yeoman. James Aubourg topped all Stinger scorers with 12 points.