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2005 Vanier Cup champs honoured at Homecoming

Laurier celebrates 10-year anniversary of second national football title in school history

The fall of 2015 marked the 10-year anniversary of the Laurier football team’s triumph over Saskatchewan in the 2005 Vanier Cup. On Homecoming weekend the team was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame and took part in a special ceremony prior to the annual Homecoming football game.

Undefeated through the 2005 regular season, the Golden Hawks beat the Western Mustangs in the provincial championship to claim their second-straight Yates Cup. They then travelled to Nova Scotia, where they topped the Acadia Axemen in the national semifinal.

On Dec. 3, 2005, in front of a packed crowd at Hamilton’s Ivor Wynne stadium, the underdog Hawks won a thrilling contest 23-21 over the Saskatchewan Huskies, with Brian Devlin (BA ’07) kicking the game-winning field goal with 19 seconds on the clock. The win gave Laurier its second Vanier Cup in school history and served as a perfect farewell for 13 members of the team, who played their final game as Golden Hawks that day.

In addition to the team’s induction in to the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame, two members of the 2005 Vanier Cup champions — receiver Andy Baechler (BA 07) and running back Nick Cameron (BA 06) were also inducted as part of this year’s Homecoming festivities.

See more of Homecoming 2015 on the Laurier Alumni Facebook page.

football player raising vanier cup
WATCH: Coaches and players recount the magical 2005 season. Video by Lot 59 Productions