The Mississauga News 2013 – The Boys are back in Town
Gordon Graydon Hawks reunite 50 years later
Graydon football 50th
Staff photo by Rob Beintema
MISSISSAUGA – A lot can change over 50 years.
But for members of the Gordon Graydon Hawks 1963 football team, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Many of them are married with children and in some cases, grandchildren. Some are retired.
When more than 20 members of that team were reunited at a Clarkson restaurant on Saturday, they showed that memories, such as winning the ’63 Western Toronto championship, last forever.
Doug Carter, who played mostly left end on the team, was one of the organizers of the reunion at Michael’s Back Door and was happy to see some of his old teammates come from as far away as Seattle, Edmonton and Penticton, B.C.
“It’s really rewarding to see everybody show up,” said Carter, who now resides in Woodstock. “I realize people had other commitments and their families always come first, but to have these guys come out for this is special.”
Many of the team’s characters, such as John Kubicz, Glenn Sherwood, Tony Morra, Bob Blackwood and Bob and John Murray, also came out to enjoy the reunion.
The players wore green and yellow jerseys that were made for them in time for a previous reunion in 2009, a few years after the school’s 50th anniversary.
The Hawks reminisced about their glory days and laughed at memories such as the one time a safety went onto the field and was told by the referee to go off and get his helmet.
There was also the time where another player was on the sidelines with a clean uniform before coach Gary Gorelle told him to play left tackle and get dirty.
“I really felt privileged to coach all of you,” said Gorelle, who also taught history at Graydon. “I don’t know what I did for you, but you all did a lot for me.”
In 1963, the Hawks defeated New Toronto for the Western Toronto Divisional Interscholastic Athletic Association championship.
They went on to the city finals, where they were defeated by Alderwood on the final play in double overtime at Varsity Stadium.
Along the way, they also had great rivalry games against Port Credit, Lorne Park and T.L. Kennedy as well as a classic mud bowl against Mimico, where the Hawks scored 26 unanswered points in the second half to win 33-13.
Carter says beating Port Credit that year for the Lakeshore Region title stands out because the Hawks were winless against their rival leading up that game.
“Our principal (Walter Wood) held an assembly saying we had to beat Port Credit, because if we didn’t now, we never would,” recalled Carter. “We had four or five busloads of fans come to the game, which was at Port Credit. We had more fans than the student population at Port Credit and ended up winning that game.”
Many young men learn important life lessons through football. In Morra’s case, he learned to have fun with whatever you end up doing in life.
“I raised my kids on some of our good coaches’ sayings,” Morra said. “I remember when we were playing at Varsity Stadium in our last game of the season and he told us to go out there and have some fun. Every day when my kids went out the door, it was always the same thing — go out there and have some fun.”
50 Years and Still Great being Together
For those that could set aside time to come, it was worth it to meet and reminisce. Those who had other commitments expressed their interest in making it to hopefully another reunion. Doug had said he will bestow the honor to Gary West.
Of course Gary says he will hold it in Ecuador the next time….lol.
50th Reunion
Mississauga News
A lot can change over 50 years.
But for members of the Gordon Graydon Hawks 1963 football team, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Many of them are married with children and in some cases, grandchildren. Some of them are fortunate enough to be retired.
When more than 20 members of that team were reunited at a Clarkson restaurant earlier today (June 8), they showed that memories, such as winning the ’63 Western Toronto championship, last forever.
Doug Carter, a fullback/defensive end on the team, was one of the organizers of the reunion at Michael’s Back Door and was happy to see some of his old teammates come from as far away as Seattle, Edmonton and Penticton, B.C.
“It’s really rewarding to see everybody show up,” said Carter, who now resides in Woodstock.
“I realize people had other commitments and their families always come first, but to have these guys come out for this is special.”
Many of the team’s characters, such as John Kubicz, Glenn Sherwood, Tony Morra, Bob Blackwood and Bob and John Murray, also came out to enjoy the reunion.
The players wore green and yellow jerseys that were made for them in time for a previous reunion in 2009, a few years after the school’s 50th anniversary.
The Hawks reminisced about their glory days and laughed at memories such as the one time a safety went onto the field and was told by the referee to go off and get his helmet.
There was also the time where another player was on the sidelines with a clean uniform before coach Gary Gorelle told him to play left tackle and get dirty.
“I really felt privileged to coach all of you,” said Gorelle, who also taught history at Graydon. “I don’t know what I did for you, but you all did a lot for me.”
In 1963, the Hawks defeated New Toronto for the Western Toronto Divisional Interscholastic Athletic Association championship.
They went on to the city finals, where they were defeated on the final play in double overtime at Varsity Stadium.
Along the way, they also had great rivalry games against Port Credit, Lorne Park and T.L. Kennedy as well as a classic mud bowl against Mimico, where the Hawks scored 26 unanswered points in the second half to win 33-13.
Carter says beating Port Credit that year for the Lakeshore Region title stands out because the Hawks were winless against their rival leading up that game.
“Our principal (Walter Wood) held an assembly saying we had to beat Port Credit, because if we didn’t now, we never would,” recalls Carter. “We had four or five busloads of fans come to the game, which was at Port Credit. We had more fans than the student population at Port Credit and ended up winning that game.”
Many young men learn important life lessons through football. In Morra’s case, he learned to have fun with whatever you end up doing in life.
“I raised my kids on some of our good coaches sayings,” Morra said.
“I remember when we were playing at Varsity Stadium in our last game of the season and he told us to go out there and have some fun. Every day when my kids went out the door, it was always the same thing — go out there and have some fun.”
Arrival on June 8, 2013 for 50th Reunion
Merrill holding court
Remember those parties Blackwood!
Some guys can’t talk with their hands.
Ned and Glenn listen to one of Pat’s tales.
They came to share memories, rekindle stories of the good days and honor those who passed away.
We were blessed to have great coaches back then, Gary Gorrell, Gerry Barnhill and Murray Hadlow.
With their guidance we proved ourselves physically strong to take on the mighty Port Credit and Lorne
Park teams and win! With encouragement from our principal then Mr. Wood he got the school support
behind us in the playoffs and championship games. The school pride rose with every win and the crowds
grew and grew in recognition and realization that they were witnessing a first at Graydon. We had a senior
team that could be winners in their own division and advance to win against other schools.
It was a proud moment for the student body, coaches, teachers at Gordon Graydon.
Thanks again to all for making it memorable.
50th Reunion of Graydon Senior Football Team
It turned out to be another great reunion for coaches and team members. The weather held back from expected rain and the photo session was a lot of fun with smiling faces gracing the lenses. Two reps from the Mississauga News showed up, One was on hand to take our photo for the press. The other arrived when we headed to Michael’s Backdoor Restaurant to gather some stories/interviews.
The food provided was fantastic and kept on coming throughout the story telling and recollection of the days at Graydon. For those that came a hearty thank you and for those who had other commitments enjoy the photos.
2013 REUNION COMING
A Team reunion is in the works for 2013 and it is for members of the 1963 Senior Football Team and the 3 football coaches. More to come via email, so stay tuned. Over 20 have replied they will be there in June.
They still look great
Merrill’s Chauffeur in Blue arrives.
After a hearty meal and a few glasses of wine, Marcia shows up to pick up Merrill.
Boy is he spoilt or what?
Gordon Graydon Memorial Secondary School 