1958 PACI six-man football team ‘finally’ in PA Hall of Fame

“It’s great you guys got inducted, it’s about time,” said MP Randy Hoback, a dignitary at the event.
Prince Albert Mayor Jim Scarrow, who grew up with members of the 1958 team, said it was great to see the team “finally recognized” for their achievements.

Long wait or not, the team is thrilled to have been acknowledged.

“It’s just been a great day as far as I’m concerned,” said Jack Armitage, who had coached the PACI team. “I’ve seen the guys, a lot of them I haven’t seen since 1958, it’s really wonderful. I’m glad for them, they’ve waited a long time for this recognition. I’m really happy for them.”

In 1957, PACI, St. Mary and Riverside schools both started six-man programs, and equipment was very scarce. The team had to share six helmets, which made practices a challenge. In fact, two of them were leather.

After the very first practice, Armitage recalls talking to centre Bob Allen, who had lost all memory of the practice after absorbing blows in the trenches with only the protection of a leather helmet.

“That’s the kind of equipment we had,” Armitage said.

But eventually, the PACI team received more equipment from the Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association. They beat Riverside 29-12 in their first ever game, and got all the way to the provincial finals in their inaugural season, getting narrowly beat by Yorkton.

The second year, PACI won the provincials with eight returnees, beating Wynyard in two blowout games in the finals. That was Prince Albert’s first ever football championship.

Armitage gave all the credit to his players, who he called great athletes. He said he simply got them organized out on the field and they did the rest.

“He’s a pretty humble guy, but I can tell you he’s a great coach,” said quarterback and team captain Glenn Barry. “We all loved him to death.”

Although they had very immediate success, the 13 PACI boys weren’t in it necessarily for the trophies and glory, they signed up to play the game they loved with their friends.

“We were all in it just because we enjoyed the sport, I call it fellowship,” Barry said. “I don’t think we really cared one way or the other if we won or lost, we just had a great time, a great team, and a great camaraderie. We had a lot of fun.”

That camaraderie was reunited Saturday as the team got something it hasn’t had in a very long time, a chance to be in the same place and reminisce.

“It was just so good to get to know them, and then get to talk to them about old times,” Armitage said. “That’s a long time, and I do appreciate the opportunity to go back 54 years and talk to the guys. We have a lot in common now, we’re all getting pretty old. “

Along with Armitage and Barry, here’s the rest of the 1958 PACI football team roster: Bob Allen, Fred Buglar, Don Blair, Gerry Bruce, Dave Demkieu, John Henderson, Terry Howard, Wavel Howard, Ivan Moxness, Ken Peet, Tom Sherman, Rod Soonias, Al Sueta and Don Wilson.

Here are the rest of the inductees:

Brad Bergen—athlete, hockey

Bergen played professional hockey in Germany for 21 years, with nine different clubs. After earning duel citizenship with Canada and Germany, Bergen suited up for the German Nationals in the ’98 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano Japan. He had one goal and one assist in three games in the tournament.

Before then, Bergen played all of his minor hockey in Prince Albert, then moved on to the SJHL with the Humboldt Broncos, registering franchise records for goals, assists, and games played by a defenceman.

He’s an assistant coach on the Prince Albert Mintos Midget AAA hockey club.

Joe Bexson – builder, box lacrosse

In 2000, Bexson had a dream of bring the sport of box lacrosse to Prince Albert, which was soon after accomplished. He created and organized the league, taking care of a number of divisions, and then in 2003, he founded the Prince Albert Predators, the city’s junior box lacrosse team that now plays in the

Prairie Gold Junior Lacrosse League.

Bexson also helped to bid and host the Bantam Provincials in 2003 and Pee Wee Provincials here in PA in 2004.

Roger Boucher – athlete, swimming

Back in 2000, Boucher became the first member of the Prince Albert Sharks Swim Club to attend the Canadian Olympic Time Trials, where he set a new personal best.

He joined the University of Calgary Dinos Swim Team, won the Speedo Athlete merit Award and broke provincial records in 1999, in the 100m and 200m breast stroke, which still stand today.
He now is the head coach of the Sharks Swim Club.

Garth Gariepy – athlete and builder, boxing

As a fighter, Gariepy won 12 consecutive provincial championships from 1968-1979, including taking on opponents as big as 70 lbs. heavier for tougher competition.

He also won gold medals at the Saskatchewan Winter Games, Canada Winter Games and the Northwest Boxing Championships, Western Canada Summer Games and the Western Canadian Golden Gloves.

After his legendary career, Gariepy would start up the Tut Coombs Boxing Club in Prince Albert. He would also start refereeing in 1990.

Braddock Koch—Meritorious Service, boxing

Koch coached at the Tut Coombs boxing club and Wildcats Boxing Club for 22 years, bringing athletes to the Saskatchewan Championships, bringing home at least one champion in 20 of those years.

Koch built relationships with his fighters, and was often more of a family member than a coach at times. Not only did he cover the technical aspect of boxing, but taught his students life lessons as well.

Jim McLaughlan—athlete and builder, football

McLaughlan has been an important football figure in Prince Albert, coaching the Carlton Crusaders for over 30 years. He also organized a parent/alumni group at Carlton to help revive the St. Mary High School program after their program folded in the mid 1990’s, and was an important figure in creating the Kinsmen Minor Football program in the mid 2000’s.

As a player, McLaughlan joined the Saskatoon Hilltop Junior football team, and then earned a scholarship to Bemidji State in Minnesota. He also tried out with the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL.

jdandrea@panow.com

by Jeff D'Andrea

1958 PACI six-man football team ‘finally’ in PA Hall of Fame

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