Three Canadian Football Hall of Famers, Three Different Roles

What do Canadian Football League Hall of Fame members Peter Connellan and Stan Schwartz, and 2021 inductee Greg Vavra have in common? All three had affiliations with the University of Calgary Dinosaurs (that is what they were when these individuals were involved) football program! They were inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame for different reasons. Connellan for his stellar coaching accomplishments, Schwartz for his overall contribution to the game over a plus 60-year span, and Vavra for his achievements as a player at the college level.

Let us start with Connellan who was inducted in the 2012 class. Though he only coached at Calgary for 13 seasons he was one of the most successful coaches ever in Canadian university sports. His teams achieved a regular season winning record of 68%, 70 wins, 32 losses, and two ties. He never had a losing season as Head Coach at any level of football he was associated with. Known as a big game coach, his record in the post-season was even better, posting a record 16-6, just under 73%.

During his tenure Calgary captured eight Conference Championships, advancing to the Vanier Cup on five occasions, winning National Championships in 1983, 1985, 1988, and 1995.

He was inducted to the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, and the University of Calgary Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011. Other accolades include Canadian University Coach of the Year in 1977 and 1985, the 3M Coaching Association of Canada Male Coach of the Year and the Football Canada Award of Merit. He was recognized by the University in 2012 with the Order of the University of Calgary. The laurels continued in 2020 when Peter was inducted in the inaugural class of the Canada West Hall of Fame.

Connellan was also a visionary. He was instrumental in forming what is now the Dinos Fifth Quarter Alumni Association.

Schwartz was inducted in the 2017 Canadian Football Hall of Fame class.

A native of Medicine Hat, AB., Schwartz played for the Dinosaurs from 1965-69 for the first Head Coach of the program, Dr. Dennis Kadatz followed by Mike Lashuk. He graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Physical Education and a teaching certificate before earning a Master of Science degree at Indiana State University in sports medicine where he coached varsity football. Upon his return to Calgary, Stan coached at the bantam, high school and junior levels.

Schwartz made his mark in football serving in a myriad of capacities with the Calgary Stampeders. Whatever was needed to make the team successful, Stan did it. No task was too small or too big for Schwartz. He was an Assistant Coach for eight years beginning in 1976, Vice-President & General Manager of Administration, and President for eight years. Schwartz was part of five Grey Cup Championship teams with the Stampeders in various roles.

Stan was named Calgary Booster Club Sportsman of the Year in 2004 and recognized on the Calgary Stampeders Wall of Honor at McMahon Stadium later that year. Schwartz was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. He was inducted into the Medicine Hat Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. In addition to his Hall of Fame accolades, Schwartz was the recipient of the Alberta Centennial Medal and Alberta Centennial Salute for Sport and Recreation Award in 2005 and enshrined in Calgary Bantam Football Wall of Honor in 2003.

Stan was out of football for 10 years serving Senior/Executive Manager of McMahon Stadium. While working for the McMahon Stadium Society Schwartz worked alongside the 1988 Winter Olympics aiding in the preparation of the Stadium for the XV Olympic Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Vavra will join Connellan and Schwartz in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame this August, assuming CoVID restrictions permit. A graduate of Bishop Grandin High School in Calgary, Vavra joined the program in 1979 becoming the starting quarterback midway through his freshman season.

As a sophomore he quarterbacked the Dinos to the Conference Final losing a hard-fought game at Alberta to the eventual Vanier Cup champion Golden Bears in 1980.

Greg was named, what is now Canada West all-star quarterback on four occasions and Conference Player of the Year in 1982 and 1983. In 1983 Vavra became Calgary’s first winner of the Hec Crighton Trophy as the Most Outstanding Player in Canadian college football, winning the award unanimously. He capped a fabulous season and career leading the Dinos to their first Vanier Cup.

Vavra established numerous records at the school, conference and national levels for his passing ability. He set a Canadian university single game passing yards record on October 7, 1983 with 627 yards and single season record of 2823 that year which has since been surpassed. When he left Calgary in 1983 his 8401 career passing yards and 63 touchdowns were both what is now U Sports records.

In addition to being a prolific quarterback, Vavra was an accomplished kicker and punter. He had what was then the longest field goal in school history, one of 52 yards on September 22, 1982. He added five goals, a Vanier Cup record in the Dinos 31-21 win over Queen’s University.

Greg was inducted in the inaugural class of the University of Calgary Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Canada West Hall of Fame inaugural class in 2019. His number “17” was retired by the University, the first student-athlete to achieve this honor.

Like Connellan, who was his coach in 1983, Vavra was honored with the Order of the University of Calgary in 2019. In addition to his on the field accomplishments Greg served as an Assistant Coach with the Dinos and in various capacities with the Dinos 5th Quarter.

University of Calgary Dinos Head Coach Wayne Harris has the utmost of respect for the trio.

Harris coached with and played for Connellan, coached and played with Vavra. Harris was coached by Schwartz when he played professionally for the Stamps in 1982.

“The Dinos football program is very proud to have three former Dinos represented in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. I appreciate the leadership they each provided to support the growth of football. They have been an integral part of the Calgary football community for many years,” stated Harris whose father, Wayne Sr. is a member of the Hall following his outstanding professional career in Canada.

Peter Connellan, Stan Schwartz, Greg Vavra, significant contributors to the game of football at various levels, all proud members of the Dinos football family. A trio of individuals that pursued excellence. An elite coach, a marvellous administrator, and a fabulous player, part of the Dinos football family in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.