University of British Columbia - Totem Yearbook (Vancouver, British Columbia Canada)

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uncferbircf occer ave reaieaf ear Thunderbird soccer had one of its greatest years on the campus. Varsity soccer, which participated in the Van- couver and District League, First Division, was with- out a peer in their class. Besides their amazing record, there has been the best soccer played in the league in many a year. The UBC Soccer team went through the complete session with only two losses in the season and with a lf, straight unbeaten record ln Vancouver the Thunderbirds have proved them- selves not only as a team capable of playing soccer 'kMiIce Puhach, top picture, clears soccer ball from the goal. Centre, team shot. At left of last line is A. E. Richman, coach, and Gene Smith, senior manager. In bottom photo Foster, centre half, heads ball. of a high calibre, but also the spirit that has identified it as a team that Vancouver soccer fans will long re- member. Due to the snow in early March the Totem had to go to press without the results of the Imperial Cup finals. But it was expected that the Thunderbirds would take home the cup. which is symbolic of league suprem- acy, although the top teams are closely matched. Outside soccer authorities stated that in view of Varsity's record so far that they undoubtedly have the team that has played the best and most consistent soccer in the first team. l IO

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i'One of the best receiving halfs in Van- couver is UBC's John Tennant, five time Big Block member. Was unable to go south for the World cup series because of his heavy law course. f'Centre is the only time in UBC's history where the referee has had to be treated by team doctor. He had a trick knee which fell out of place when he ran. i'BeIow one of 'Bird linemen. duced his wonder team during 1936- 37. Sweeping all opposition aside, the Thunderbirds won every cup in sight, including the McKechnie Trophy. UBC slipped after those years, reaching an all-time low in 1941 when the 'Birds failed to win a single game. All in all the Thunderbirds have a fine record. In the past 35 years they have won the Miller Cup 14 times, the McKechnie Cup 12 times, six times since the war, and the Tis- dall Trophy 13 times. In Miller Cup play this year the UBC rugby squad started off with a 5-all tie against the strong Vindex team, composed mainly of UBC grads. In subsequent Miller Cup games, they won two against Ex- Brittania and North Vancouver by scores of 6-3 and 11-5, played a scoreless tie against South Burnaby and lost by identical scores of 3-0 to the strong Meralomas and Row- ing Club Teams, both of which also have many ex-UBC grads starring. Adverse weather conditions this spring resulted in the cancellation of so many Miller Cup games that the Thunderbirds have had to withdraw from competition so as to complete their McKechnie Cup and Inter- collegiate matches. UBC Thunderbirds led McKech- nie Cup play with three and one loss, with two games remaining against North Shore and Van- couver. However, they lost both games, losing any chance they had to cop the cup. In the season McKechnie Cup opener, UBC defeated North Shore 3-0. They hold two other victories against Vancouver Lions and Vic- toria Crimson Tide by scores of 3-0 and 6-3, while their lone defeat is at the hands of Victoria by a score of 6-3. In the World Cup series with the University of California, UBC lost all four games to the Southerners. U of C had one of the strongest teams in years and took possession of the cup away from UBC, last year's winner. 109

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aJ they reach jmperia! Cup ina 4 i'Top picture shows bull being headed by member of opposing team. Centre is the team shot. They did not have a manager M, till late in the season and never had cl coach. The bottom shot looks like illegal play but the player is the goalie. First Division soccer team included Mike Puhach. Bud Fredrilqson. Don Renton, liill Wtilters. Howie Ushourne, lim Foster. Bob Mounds. Other members of the 11 squad were Donald B. Gleig, Bill Popowich, Bud Dobson, Ken Campbell, Dick lyiatthews, Mesfin Abehe and lohn Linguist. A. E. Richman was coach of the team with Gene Smith representing the soccermen as Senior Manager on the Men's Athletic Directorate. The other Varsity soccer team in the Vancouver Second Division did not have the polish of the upper team. 111