HISTORY

FOREWARD

Special thanks to Brian Burns and Steve Ball for their hard work in providing detailed information to build the following History Section of the website. The history of Carleton Ravens Soccer continues to be built today and we ask alumni to send us their stories to add to this starting point. Please e-mail your stories to ravenssocceralumni@gmail.com

1980 – 1984: Prepared by Brian Burns

Prior to 1980 there was only a little inter-mural soccer at Carleton, but in September of that year, Brian Burns, a recently arrived visiting professor from England was walking home past the athletics buildings towards Bronson Avenue. The sports facilities were far less extensive in those days and there were large grass playing areas, including a soccer pitch, where the Fieldhouse and parking lots are now. A small group of students were playing, and Brian stopped to chat. A few minutes later he had offered to coach them, with the aim of forming the Carleton University Soccer Team. They arranged to meet the next evening and over the next weeks the word got around to some local young players who were now in the first year of their studies at Carleton. Contact with University Athletics was made through John Wilson who helped them attain club status. Regular early evening practices led to the arrangement of a few games. Good results against Trent, RMC, and an interesting rain soaked trip to Potsdam cemented the team for the rest of the season, and Brian, who had a strong soccer background, was appointed the first men’s soccer coach.

The next season, 1981, was used as a qualifying year for varsity status. Glen Shirtliffe, a graduate student, had joined forces with Brian, and the team started to gel with wins and ties against other University teams. A high school 6-aside tournament was held as an aid to recruitment, and at the end of the season the team won its first trophy; winning an Invitational Tournament at Bishop’s University.