REGULAR SEASON
Alberta | 4-0 | 5-7 | VanVliet/Don Smith | |||||
Saskatchewan | 0-4 | 0-4 | Fran Pyne | |||||
Alberta coach Maury Van Vliet departed in February to complete a doctorate in education at UCLA. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 1936, where he was a member of the Ducks ‘Big Block Club’ and participated in track, baseball, and basketball. Van Vliet was selected as All-Coast halfback and a member of Oregon’s NCAA championship unit. After graduating, Van Vliet was appointed Director of Phys Ed at UBC, a post he held for nine years before moving to Alberta. He coached UBC to the dominion championship in 1937 and 1941 and to two football titles. He obtained a master’s degree from the University of Oregon in 1940, majoring in physical education and minor in education. He came to Alberta in Sept-45. Assistant Don Smith steps up to the helm for the remainder of the season.
Manitoba did not enter league play. The Bisons (coached by Acey Olson, equipment manager Charlie Wade) included Don Reid, Don McDougall, Don Leyden, Mike Spack, Larry Rawlinson, Roy Williams, Carl Ridd, George Oelkers, Jerry Bicknell and Dick Tettamanti.
In intervarsity play, Alberta defeated host Saskatchewan 82-31 and 51-32. …………………………………………………… In game one, Alberta romped 82-31. The Bears led 43-11 at the half. Coach Don Smith called the Bears performance “their best this season.” Lowell Williams paced Alberta with 17. Evan ‘Rabbit’ Erickson added 16, Jim Macrae 14, Gord McLachlan 13, Dunc Stockwell 10, Laureshan 4, Anderson 4, Steed 2 and Barnes 2, while Mayson was scoreless. Jack Suttle paced Saskatchewan with 7. Bill Bulger added 5, Nels Deck 5, McArton 4, Tomlinson 3, Leakos 3, Ratcliffe 2 and Bourk 2, while Bob Arscott and Wheaton were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, Alberta prevailed 51-32. Dunc Stockwell paced Alberta with 12. Evan Erickson added 11, Jim Macrae 10, Lowell Williams 9, Gord McLachlan 4. Bill Laureshan scored a combined 5 in the two games, Dave Steed a combined 4, Tom Mayson a combined 2, Barnes a combined 2 and Al Anderson a combined 4. Bill Bulger paced Saskatchewan with 9. Nels Deck added 8. Jack Suttle 4, Ross Wheaton scored a combined 6 in the two games. Jim Tomlinson added a combined 4, Doug Radcliffe a combined 4, Jim McArton a combined 5, Jim Leakos a combined 3, Mert Bourk a combined 4, while Bob Arscott was scoreless.
Host Alberta defeated Saskatchewan 54-27; and 75-34. …………………………………………………… In game one, Alberta romped 54-27. Alberta led 27-13 at the half. Jim Macrae paced Alberta with 17. Gord MacLachlan added 10, Dunc Stockwell 9, Evan Erickson 8, Bill Laureshen 4, Roger Risher 2, Al Anderson 2 and Al Batcheller 2, while Lowell Williams, Dave Barnes, Bruce Steed and Tom Mayson were scoreless. Bill Bulger led Saskatchewan with 6. Nels Deck added 5, Jim McArton 4, Fuller 4, Jim Tomlinson 2, Ross Wheaton 2, Doug Radcliffe 2 and Jack Suttle 2, while Mert Bourk and Jim Leakos were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, Alberta prevailed 75-34 as Jim Macrae scored 27, Evan Erickson 17, Dunc Stockwell 14, Bruce Steed 12, Gord McLachlan 4, Lowell Williams 1, while Roger Fisher, Bill Laureshen, Tom Mayson, Al Batcheller and Al Anderson were scoreless. Nels Deck led the Huskies with 10. Mert Bourk added 6, Bob Fuller 4, Bill Bulger 4, Jim Leakos 3, Jack Suttle 2, Ross Wheaton 2 and Jim Tomlinson 2, while Jim McArton and Doug Radcliffe were scoreless.
The runner-up Saskatchewan Huskies: Jack Suttle; Bill Bulger; Nels Deck; Jim McArton; Jim Tomlinson; Jim Leakos; Doug Radcliffe; Mert Bourk; Bob Arscott; Ross Wheaton; coach Frank Pyne
The champion Alberta Golden Bears: Jim MacRae; Evan Erickson; Gord McLachlan; Dave Barnes; Lowell Williams; Dunc Stockwell; Al Batcheller; Bill Laureshen; Tom Mayson; Bruce Steed; Roger Fisher; Al Anderson; Chuck Chinneck; Art Kruger; Ted Allison; coach Maury Van Vliet; coach Don Smith; manager Ken Moore