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A Windsor Lancers helmet.1968-2000
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The Windsor Lancers began their football program in 1968 when they first started in the Central Canada Intercollegiate Football Conference (CCIFC). They were in the 12-team conference until the 1969 season when they were moved into the West division. Their opponents in the West division were Carleton University, Laurentian University, the Ontario Agricultural College (now the University of Guelph), the University of Ottawa, the University of Waterloo, and York University. They were in that conference until the end of the 1970 season. In that time within the CCIFC, the Lancers captured their only CCIFC championship in their second year of existence in 1969.Under head coach Gino Fracas, the Lancers compiled a 5-1 record with conference play. With that 5-1 record, Windsor travelled to Quebec, to face the Bishop's Gaiters for the CCIFC championship. In the championship game, Windsor went on to win their only CCIFC championship by a close score of 23-22.
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Gino Fracas.1968-1986
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The one main reason as to why they made it to the conference finals was their defense. In that season, Windsor only let up nine points per game.With that win, in the conference championships, Windsor advanced to Churchill Bowl in Winnipeg in which they played the Manitoba Bisons. In that game, the Lancers were outclassed and were defeated by the Bisons 41-7.
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Following their stint in the CCIFC, the Lancers moved into the Ontario University Athletic Association (OUAA) West Division which is now known as the OUA. In their three team division, Windsor were joined by Waterloo and Western. The most significant season for Windsor during their times in the OUAA was during the 1972 season. This was the season in which Windsor had a Hec Crighton winner, and his name is Andy Parichi and he was the quarterback for the team.6
Following the 1973 season, another shift was happening in the university ranks of Canadian football. This time with the demise of the Quebec University Athletic Association, the CIAU has now formed the Ontario-Quebec Intercollegiate Football Conference (OQIFC). The Lancers were part of the West division along with Guelph University, McMaster, the University of Toronto, the University of Waterloo, Western, Laurier University, and York University. Windsor was part of the OQIFC until the end of the 1979 season.In the 1975 season, Windsor finished the OQIFC season with a 7-0 record, and was co-champions for the Yates Cup. Also in that season, the Lancers was amid some controversy over their star player, Dave Pickett. In the Dave Pickett case, he could not play in the semi-final bowl game against the Ottawa Gee Gee's due to him being ineligible to play in that game. In that game, with Windsor deciding not to play Dave Pickett, Ottawa defeated the Lancers 45-6.
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The next significant year was in 1979, when the Lancers had another Hec Crigton winner. It was quarterback Scott Mallendar. From 1980-2000, the Lancers seasons were through peaks and valleys cultivating in no championships for the school.8
In the 21st century, the 2006 season was their best season. During this season, Daryl Stephenson won the third Hec Crighton award for Windsor University. |
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