2011 HALL OF FAME PROFILE: Rocky Robillard
Hockey and football legend Rocky Robillard has been selected in the athlete category and is among a half-dozen 2011 new additions to the McGill Sports Hall of Fame.
Born Rock Anthony Robillard in Ottawa on Aug. 28, 1922, he was educated at Lisgar Collegiate and St. Pat's College, where he was a standout multi-sport athlete.
Prior to enrolling at McGill, he served with the army and air force during the Second World War, from 1942 to 1945. As a member of No. 429 Squadron, he flew numerous missions in the Avro Lancaster, a four-engine, heavy bomber, which was arguably the most famous and successful night bomber during the war.
A gifted athlete and humble recipient of many athletic awards, Robillard entered McGill in 1947, where he competed with the intermediate basketball and track teams as a freshman but was primarily a two-sport athlete, playing both football and hockey.
''Rocky'' had the rare distinction of captaining both the hockey and football teams in his final season, when he received the Forbes trophy as McGill's male athlete of the year in 1949-50.
On the gridiron, he was an all-star running back but also played as a kicker and quarterback, scoring 62 points, including seven touchdowns in 18 career games over three seasons. He led the league in scoring during his junior year and won the team's Fred Wigle trophy as most improved player in his senior campaign.
Robillard also led the hockey Redmen in scoring in each of his final two years and compiled a 17-17-34 record in 19 career games with the Redmen before graduating in 1950 with a bachelor's degree in science, majoring in physical education.
After graduation, he was appointed as a teacher and administrator in the McGill faculty of physical education. During that time he also took over as head coach of the hockey Redmen, where he served from 1951-52 to 1957-58, guiding the team to a 54-64-5 record overall. He also served seven years as an assistant coach for the football Redmen under legendary coaches Vic Obeck and Doug Kerr. In addition, he coached the junior varsity football squad to the Ottawa - St. Lawrence league championship in 1954.
After stepping down from his coaching duties at McGill, Robillard moved back to his hometown to embark on a teaching and administrative career at the University of Ottawa, St. Patrick's and Fisher Park schools, Ridgemont and Highland Park high schools. He also was a sports broadcaster with CFRA and CJOH and play-by-play announcer for Ottawa Rough Riders.
Robillard lived to the age of 86 and passed away in Ottawa on Oct. 27, 2008.
The induction luncheon, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 13 2011, kicks off the University's Homecoming Week celebrations. Tickets for the event are $65 and can be reserved by contacting the McGill Alumni Association at 514-398-8288.
SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Communications Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-398-7012 (Tel.)
m.athletics.mcgill.ca (mobile website)