Credit: St. Paul's High School Archive
In 1967 the Crusader coach George Dawson was assisted by CFL 'golden-boy', Terry Golab. At the time, Golab was serving as the school's vice-principal. During his career, Golab played with the Ottawa Rough Riders and the Ottawa Uplands RCAF team. He won the Grey Cup with the Rough Riders in 1940 before serving with the RCAF during the Second World War.
Golab left the school after one year as vice-principal to serve as the General Manager of the Montreal Alouettes (1968-1969).
Credit: St. Paul's High School Archive
When the school was looking to relocate in 1964, the building committee selected a site that would accommodate the longstanding extracurricular activities, including the football program.
The chosen site in Tuxedo was over eleven acres and had enough room for the new school building and a regulation-sized, grass-covered field. This new location replaced the small, hard-packed dirt field they left behind at Ellice Avenue.
Credit: St. Paul's High School Archive
Following the relocation of St. Paul's High School, Grade 12 was reintroduced. The decision increased the number of students eligible to play for the Crusaders and ensured the team would have enough members.
The older athletes allowed the team to compete with their opponents in the City League. Over the next years, the team improved its annual record.
Credit: Winnipeg Evening Tribune November 3rd, 1964
In 1964 - a decade after the Crusaders first joined the City League - the team competed in their first City League final. The game featured the Crusaders against the Kelvin Clippers. It was played under the lights at Winnipeg Stadium.
The championship title was lost to the Clippers that night. St. Paul's didn't have another chance at the title until 1975.
1959-1962
Assisted by: Mel Wilson (1959), Peter Sawchuk (1960-1962) and Gerry Bolin (1962)
Credit: Winnipeg Evening Tribune November 14th, 1953 - Courtesy of University of Manitoba Digital Collection
1963
Assisted by: Gerry Bolin and William Friesen
1964-1965
Assisted by: Les Allen (1964). Ray Turnbull (1964) and Ron Braunstein (1964)
Credit: St. Paul's High School Archive
1966
Assisted by: Tom Raske
1967-1972
Assisted by: M. Donnehy (1967), Tony Golab (1967), Nick Laping (1967-1971), Norb Park (1971), and Len Sitter (1971)
After years of loss on the WHSFL circuit, teacher and alumnus George Dawson set the Crusaders on a new path. During his first season, the Crusaders began to improve their record with a number of key victories. For this, he was honoured as the All-star Coach of 1967.
Credit: St. Paul's High School Yearbook 1968