1
UBC Thunderbirds logo.1923-2000
2
The University of British Columbia (UBC) resides in Vancouver and the Thunderbirds started their football program in 1924 when an unofficial team played five games in that season. In that season, the Thunderbirds were led by their first head coach William Rose who gathered a 3-2 record. Also in that season UBC scored a total of 69 (13.8) points, and let up 31 (6.2) points. With those wins UBC captured their first championship in school's history which was the B.C. championship.In the 1925 season, the committee at UBC decided to make rugby-football a minor sport. UBC played their first ever real game under new head coach Dr. Gordon Burke. In UBC first ever game, they lost the game to Saint Mark's College 7-6. In the season itself, UBC had a record of 1-3.
The next significant date in UBC history was in 1928, when the UBC committee decided to make rugby-football a major sport. The following season in 1929 still with head coach Dr. Gordon Burke went 7-2 and captured their first ever Hardy Cup championship for being Western Canada's best football team.
3
The 1928 UBC football team.Circa 1928
Varsity Stadium, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
4
In the 1930s, significant changes happen to the football program. From 1931-1933, UBC went on to win the Hardy Cup three times in a row. In 1934, the students at UBC decided that a nickname should be provided for the football club. The students decided on the name Thunderbirds. The name Thunderbirds came from the folklore, that the Thunderbird was an idol and a powerful mystic emblem. The tribes in the west believe Thunderbirds were gods.5
Game action from 1928.Circa 1928
Varsity Stadium, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
6
Game action from 1928.Circa 1928
Varsity Stadium, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
7
The next significant date was in 1938, when the Thunderbirds won another Hardy Cup, their fifth in the decade. In that season, UBC finished with a 9-2 record. The following season in 1939, UBC won another Hardy Cup and was crowned B.C. champions again. In that season, UBC finished with a 10-0 record, their only perfect season in school history.8
UBC coach Maury Van Vliet and running back Tommy Williams.Circa 1939
Varsity Stadium, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
9
In the 1940s, the Thunderbirds were not as good as the previous decade. Their best record in the 1940s was a 3-2-1 record that happened during the 1942 season. Their worst record in that decade was a 0-7 record that happened during the 1946 season. Also during that decade the Thunderbirds, went through five head coaches (The head coaches were Maury Van Vilet, John Farina, Greg Kabat, Don Wilson, and Orville Burke).During 1943, there was no football season, due to the fact that World War II was happening overseas. In 1945, once World War II finished, UBC returned to the gridiron, and won their only Hardy Cup for the decade. In 1946, the Thunderbirds decided that they should join the Pacific Northwest Athletic Conference in the United States.
10
Much like the 1940s, the 1950s were not too kind for the Thunderbirds as well. During the 1958 season, UBC finished that season with 3-6 record, and went on to play McGill in the first ever Churchill Bowl, that was played in Montreal. In that game, UBC put up a fight, but ultimately lost to McGill 9-6.During the 1959 season, UBC decided to join the Western Canada Football League. Their best record in that decade was in 1959 when they won the Hardy Cup after going 6-4 in Canada West competition. With that Hardy Cup victory, UBC returned to the Churchill Bowl, in which they played the Western Mustangs in British Columbia and in that game, Western won the game 34-7.
11
In the 1960s, UBC was a better football team that was previously shown in the past two decades. In terms of records, the Thunderbirds went 33-50-5 in the decade and their best record in the 1960s was in 1962 when the Thunderbirds had a 6-4 record and were co-holders of the Hardy Cup that season. This Hardy cup was the second one that was earned by the Thunderbirds. Their first Hardy Cup of the decade was in 1961.12
UBC press guide.Circa 1963
13
In 1964, the Thunderbirds football program decided that they should withdraw from the Western Canada Football League.In the next two seasons UBC still played Western Canadian teams, but only in a series of exhibition games. During the 1966 season, UBC decided that they should rejoin the Western Canada Football League. With them rejoining the league, UBC decided that they still want to play the U.S. teams in a series of exhibition games.
14
Game program for the 1964 game between UBC vs. Oregon College.7 November 1964
Varsity Stadium, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
 |
 |
 |
 |