Credit: St. Paul's College Yearbook
During the late 1930s, many games in the M.S.R.L. and City League were covered by a young sports reporter named Scott Young. This reporter went on to become a celebrated Canadian journalist and host of Hockey Night in Canada (1957-1959). His other claim to fame was his son, musician Neil Young.
Check out the article by Scott Young on the 1938 Provincial Championship by scrolling through the 'An Early History' tab.
Credit: St. Paul's High School Archive
The first football teams at St. Paul’s College were organized in the autumn of 1931. The introduction of these teams, including a flyweight, midget, and high school team, was possible due to the relocation of the school to Ellice Avenue and the organization of the Manitoba Schools Rugby League.
Many of the athletes on these early teams knew very little about the sport, posing a challenge to the coaches. This inexperience resulted in a poor record as the high school team finished the season without any victories.
Credit: Winnipeg Evening Tribune September 12th, 1932 - Courtesy of University of Manitoba Digital Collection
The Manitoba Schools Rugby League was conditionally created in 1931 with W.A. ‘Shorty’ Kennedy acting as president. The league was permanently established the following year with the same executive.
The new league was arranged with six high school teams from across the province. Several teams left the M.S.R.L. to form a new City League shortly before the season commenced. The departure of these teams weakened the competition and allowed St. Paul's to dominate.
Credit: St. Paul's High School Archive
After two seasons of loss, the school was able to hire a seasoned football veteran. Greg Kabat was a new addition to the Winnipeg 'Pegs in 1933. The American football player was well-regarded for his skills and his coaching style.
Within a single season, the Crusaders ascended to victory in the M.S.R.L. Over the next seven years, the team won the M.S.R.L. title six times under Kabat’s tutelage.
Credit: St. Paul's High School Archive
St. Paul's College organized three rugby football teams during the first year of competition in 1931. Each grade in the school made up a different team - the high school team was composed of Grade 11 and 12 athletes, the midget team was made up of Grade 10s, and the flyweights were Grade 9 students.
During the first season of competition, the flyweights were the only SPC team to achieve success on the field, with a record of ten victories and a single loss. The success of this young team continued in their competition for the Percy Hall Trophy, with many league victories throughout the 1930s.
Credit: Winnipeg Free Press
By 1937 St. Paul’s College could lay claim to four M.S.R.L. titles. Unfortunately, none of these victories had been followed by a provincial championship. The following season that all changed when the Crusaders defeated St. John’s Tech on a cold, wintery evening. This victory was the result of an interception and touchdown, scored with only three minutes left on the clock.
Credit: St. Paul's High School Archive
The 1939 Crusaders were the greatest team in Manitoba high school football history – so said renowned journalist Vince Leah. Coached by Greg Kabat and with eighteen veteran athletes, the team dominated the M.S.R.L. and won their second provincial championship in a row.
Many of these great athletes went on to serve on the front lines in the Second World War.
1931
Assisted by: Russell Manning and Morris MacDonald
The first coaches of the St. Paul's College Rugby Football Team, the Mannings and Morris MacDonald, worked with the young team to learn the basics of the sport. The team didn't win any games during the short season and finished last in the newly formed Manitoba School's Rugby League (M.S.R.L.).
1932
After an unsuccessful first season, the school searched for an experienced coach to head their high school team. Francis ‘Toots’ Wiggins, a Winnipeg Peg's athlete, was hired for the season. He inspired the players to a second-place finish in the M.S.R.L. in 1932 behind St. John’s College.
Credit: The Paulian Yearbook 1933
1933-1940
Assisted by: George Amyot (1933), Cam Doherty (1934-1935), Jack Donoghue (1938), Homer Green (1939-1940), Jack Hale (1940)
The foundations of Crusader football were laid during the tenure of the famous Greg Kabat from 1933-1940. Under his leadership, the Crusaders rose to prominence in the M.S.R.L. and captured the title in six championships. As a Winnipeg Blue Bomber, he provided professional knowledge for the Crusader athletes.
Credit: CFL.com
1936
Steve was the first St. Paul's College alumnus to coach the St. Paul's Crusaders.