UBC Football Announces 2024 Wall of Honour Inductees – University of British Columbia Athletics

UBC Thunderbirds Football and the TFA are proud to announce eight new members to the Frank Gnup Wall of Honour, spanning five decades of blue and gold success.

Team: Western Bowl Championship team | 1987

Builder: Norman Thomas | 1960s

Athletes: Lawrence “Chip” Barrett | 1960s, Fred Sturrock | 1960s, Glenn Wallace | 1970s, KC Steele | 80s, Duncan O’Mahony | 1990s, Julian Radlein | 2000s.

The Wall of Honour was established in 2019 by the Thunderbird Football Advisory Council to recognize the highly accomplished athletes, builders, teams and community members who have made outstanding contributions to the football tradition at the University of British Columbia. The WOH is complimentary to the UBC Sports Hall of Fame in celebration of football’s prolific history and numerous accomplishments. Inductees are enshrined on the basis of playing ability, leadership and sportsmanship, and in doing so have enhanced the image of Thunderbird football.

 

Frank Theodore Gnup: Head Coach, 1955-1973

One of UBC’s most admired, and recognizable campus figures, Gnup was the head coach at UBC for 18 years winning three Hardy Cup championships (1959, 1961, 1962). Since that time, Gnup’s name has been remembered through a scholarship, alumni Golf Tournament, induction into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame and the BC Football Hall of Fame. The AAA high school football championship is named after him, and the Frank Gnup Memorial award is presented each year to the Canada West Football Player of the Year.

“This year’s class includes two-sport athletes, record-breakers, innovators and champions,” said UBC assistant coach Pat Tracey. “The inductees have experienced tremendous team success and individual accolades, and each have left their imprint on our program’s history. From “Chip” Barrett’s stellar performances on the gridiron and the track in the early ’60s, all the way up to Julian Radlein being the first T-Bird running back to be chosen in the first round of the CFL daft in the early 2000s and countless achievements in between.

 

Hardy Cup-Western Bowl Champions

Vanier Cup Finalists | 1987

 

CIAU Coach-of-the-Year, Frank Smith, guided the Thunderbirds to a first place finish with a perfect 8-0 conference record. The ‘Birds defeated the Alberta Golden Bears in the Hardy Cup final, 26-8, on the strength of a 483-yard offensive performance. In the ensuing Western bowl they faced the OUA Champion Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks and needed a last minute pick-six to win 33-31. UBC led the WIFL in All-Star selections (11), TD passes (13), QB sacks (17), interceptions (19), field goals (21), ranked number one in scoring offence with 232 points, and allowed a league low 101 points against. The record setting ‘Birds recorded UBC’s first and only shutout victory over SFU in the annual Shrum Bowl, 14-0 before a capacity crowd at Swanguard stadium. 

 

Many of the 1987 roster were members of the undefeated 1986 Vanier Cup championship squad, accumulating a 22 game CIAU winning streak over two seasons, playing in sixteen conference games and six playoff games with only one loss.

 

“This was a team that had a determination, a dedication, and a willingness to make sacrifices that we all made in order to succeed. There is a mutual respect among the group. They all know how hard it was to earn back-to-back undefeated seasons, and it’s humbling to have been a part of that special group. We shared in each other’s success and, ultimately, we viewed any accolades as team outcomes. I really believe that’s why we as a group remain as close today as we were then. We truly just wanted to win for each other. Ultimately, this is what UBC Thunderbird Football is about.” –  Dr. Jordan Leith, co-captain and 1987 WIFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Norman Thomas

Receiver-Coach | 1962-73

Bachelor of Arts, MPE

Thomas was instrumental in the T-Birds’ offensive game planning and was an innovative play caller. JV and varsity offensive backs-receivers graduate assistant coach | 1966-67.  Offensive Coordinator | assistant professor in the School of Physical Education | 1968-72. Head Coach-Offensive Coordinator (’73). 3-time varsity letterman | 1962,’63, ’64. WCIAU Hardy Cup championship (’62), WCIAU all-Star (’62). Big Block recipient and was selected as the Most Outstanding Offensive Back (’62). Career Best: 115-yards vs. Portland St. (’64).  Named to the Thunderbirds 1960s all-Decade team (’20).  CFL: Drafted by MTL (’64).  NFL: Training camp invitation with the Miami Dolphins (’67). 

Lawrence “Chip” Barrett

Defensive Back | JV-1964, 1965-66

Bachelor of Architectural Science

An all-purpose player and a gifted two-sport athlete in both football and track and field, Barrett was an integral member for the Thunderbirds’ defence that set a school record with four consecutive shutouts in 1966. Selected as the Back of the Year (’65), defensive co-captain (’66). Returned a punt 83 yards for a TD vs. Portland State (’65), led ‘Birds in interceptions (’65), had a 75 yard TD reception vs. Whitman College (’66).  Named to the Thunderbirds 1960s all-Decade team (’20).  Record setting sprinter earning multiple medals at both the CWIAA  and National Indoor championships. CFL: First Thunderbird and CWIAU player to be selected in the first round, and first overall (’67). 17 career interceptions with WPG | 1967-68, TOR | 1969-72.

Fred Sturrock

Offensive Lineman | 1961-64

Bachelor of Commerce

A stalwart on the line of scrimmage, Sturrock was a four year varsity letterman and two-sport athlete | 1961-64. Two-time WCIAU Hardy Cup champion (1961.62), offensive captain (’63), three-time WCIAU conference all-Star (1961.62.63). Named to the Thunderbirds 1960s all-Decade team (’20). Member of the World Cup rugby series championship teams vs. Cal-Berkley (’61) and the McKechnie Cup (’61). Captained team BC vs. New Zealand and England (’67). Played for Canada vs. Wales (’71).

Glenn Wallace

Running Back | 1976-77

Bachelor of Education

An elusive halfback, Wallace was key to the T-Birds top ranked offensive attack. Hardy Cup champion (’76), led UBC in carries (129 – 1976) and rushing touchdowns (four – 1977). Led the WIFL in carries (150) and yards (819) – 1977), set three school records including total carries in a season (203) and rushing TDs in a season (11 – 1977). Had 10 100+ yard games including 155- ards rushing vs. Eastern Oregon (’77). WIFL all-Star (’77), invited to the CAN-AM Bowl, Florida (’78). Named to the Thunderbirds top 100 careers (’16), selected to the 1970s all-Decade team (’20). CFL– Drafted 8th Rd, 65th overall (’76). 

KC Steele

Linebacker | 1981-84

Bachelor of Physical Education

A standout defender, Steele was a force on the conference’s top ranked defensive unit, winning the Hardy Cup, Atlantic Bowl and the Vanier Cup championships (’82).  2-time Hardy Cup finalist (1981.83), 2-time Shrum Bowl champion (’81-’82), 2-time defensive co-captain (1983.84).  Led UBC in QB sacks and tackles for loss (’84), only WIFL linebacker during the 1980s to be named all-Star in 3-consecutive seasons (1982.83.84). Named to the Thunderbirds top-100 careers (’16), selected to the 1980’s all-Decade team (’20).

 

Duncan O’Mahony

Kicker-Punter | 1998-00

Bachelor of Arts

An accurate and skilled specialist, O’Mahony led CW in scoring (90 pts – 1999), Hardy Cup finalist (’99),  Shrum Bowl champion (’00).  Set school record: Longest field goal in a game 52 yards vs. CAL (’00). Led UBC in field goals (51 – 1998-2000), scoring (234 pts – 1998-2000), CW All-Star (1999-00), 1st team CIAU All-Canadian place kicker (’00), 2nd team CIAU All-Canadian punter (’00). Named to the Thunderbirds top-100 careers (’16), selected to the Thunderbirds 1990s all-Decade team (’20).  CFL: Drafted 2nd round, 14th overall (’01). Won the 89^th Grey Cup (’01), named CFL All-Star in (’02).

Julian Radlein

Running Back | 1999-02

Bachelor of Arts

A powerful runner and skilled receiver, Radlein led UBC in carries (93) and yards (407 – 2000), led UBC in receptions, yards and receiving TDs by a RB (1999-01). Set school record: Highest average per carry in a season (10.6 – 1999). Hardy Cup finalist (’99), Shrum Bowl champion (’00), two-time offensive co-captain (’01,’02), Courage of Casey award recipient (’02). Named to the Thunderbirds 2000s all-Decade team (’20). CFL: First T-Bird running back to be drafted in the 1st round, 3rd overall (’03), won the Frank M. Gibson Trophy as the Eastern conference top Rookie (’03), named CFLPA all-Star (’04).