varsity blues: Greg DeLaval named head coach of Varsity Blues

TORONTO - 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 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

For Further Information Contact:
Liz Hoffman
Director of Athletics
Tel: 416-978-7379
e-mail: liz.hoffman@utoronto.ca

Mary Beth Challoner
Manager, Promotions and Sports Information
Tel: 416-407-3538
e-mail: mb.challoner@utoronto.ca

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BACKGROUNDER - GREG DeLAVAL, HEAD COACH VARSITY BLUES FOOTBALL

Playing Career

High School: DeLaval played quarterback and receiver at St. Mary's High School in Calgary, helping the team to the 1986 city championship. He was later inducted into the school's sports hall of fame.

CIS: DeLaval played for the St. Francis Xavier X-Men in 1990 and again from 1994 to 1997. He was the starting wide receiver in the 1996 Vanier Cup, catching one pass for 11 yards while the X-Men fell 31-12 to the Saskatchewan Huskies. A three-time (1995-1997) team captain, DeLaval was named an academic all-Canadian in 1997 and was awarded the Marcel Lussier Award by St. FX for community service, also in 1997.

Coaching Career

St. Francis Xavier X-Men (1998-2002)
Assistant Head Coach (1998-2002)
DeLaval served as Offensive Coordinator with the X-Men, helping guide the team to a seven-game winning streak in 2002. He was responsible for the entire football recruiting program at St. FX. He also coordinated numerous fundraising activities for the X-Men, successfully raising more than $60,000 over two years for the football program.

Varsity Blues (2003-2005, 2008)
Assistant Coach and Coordinator of Player Development, Special Teams Coordinator and Receivers Coach (2003-2005)
A full-time assistant on the Blues staff for three seasons, DeLaval was in charge of building the team's national recruiting program, while guiding the special teams and receiving corps. Greg was named the Blues defensive coordinator for the 2006 season, but shortly thereafter had to leave the team for family reasons.

Interim Head Coach (2008)
DeLaval was the interim head coach of the Varsity Blues this past season finishing with a 2-6 record and leading the team to its first win since 2001, ending a 0-49 losing streak with an 18-17 victory over the Waterloo Warriors on September 1st. He was responsible for coordinating all facets of the football program, coaching the offence and special team units as well as implementing a national recruiting program.

Calgary Dinosaurs (2006-2007)
Special Teams Coordinator and Offensive Assistant (2006-2007)
DeLaval assisted in the coordination of the offence and special teams at Calgary. In 2007, the Dinos led the CIS in rushing and the special teams unit finished atop the Canada West conference average in every category but one. Greg coordinated recruiting in Central and Eastern Canada for the Dinos.

Other
Antigonish Blue Devils Bantam Football Team - Head Coach (2001)
U19 Nova Scotia Provincial Football Team - Head Coach (2003)

Source:

Varsity Blues Athletics