St. Francis Xavier X-Men football

Last updated
St. Francis Xavier X-Men
St. FX X-Men Football Logo.png
St. Francis Xavier X-Men logo
First season1954
Athletic directorLeo MacPherson
Head coach Gary Waterman
13th year, 64460  (.582)
Home stadium Oland Stadium
Stadium capacity4000
Stadium surfaceFieldTurf
Location Antigonish, Nova Scotia
League U Sports
Conference AUS (1999 – present)
Past associations AUAA (1974–1998)
All-time record 
Postseason record 
Titles
Vanier Cups1
1966
Atlantic Bowls5
1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1996
Jewett Trophies16
1960, 1961, 1962, 1963,
1966, 1967, 1978, 1982,
1983, 1996, 2015, 2016,
2018, 2021, 2022, 2023
Hec Crighton winners0
ColoursBlue and White
   
Outfitter Adidas
Website goxgo.ca

The St. Francis Xavier X-Men football team represents the St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia in the sport of Canadian football in U Sports. The X-Men program has been competing at the varsity level since 1954 and won the second ever Vanier Cup national championship in 1966. The team has played in two National Championship games overall when they were runners-up in 1996 and have won 16 conference championships in total.

Contents

Championships

National championships

Vanier Cup

  • Champions: 1966
  • Runner-Up: 1996

Semi-final championships

Atlantic Bowl

  • Champions: 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1996
  • Runner-Up: 1958, 1962, 1967, 1978, 1982, 1983
  • In 1983 the AUAA was in a dispute with the CIS (formerly CIAU) over the Atlantic Bowl being played at Saint Mary's, in Halifax, on annual basis. Calgary received a bye to the CIAU Championship game. [1]

Uteck Bowl

  • Runner-Up: 2015, 2018, 2022

Mitchell Bowl

  • Runner-Up: 2016, 2021, 2023

Conference championships

Jewett Trophy (Loney Bowl)

  • Champions: 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1978, 1982, 1983, 1996, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023

The X-Men have won the Atlantic Conference Championship 16 times and have been runners-up an additional 12 times. [2]

Recent results

SeasonGamesWonLostOTLPCTPFPAStandingPlayoffs
199686200.7502271471st in AUSDefeated Mount Allison Mounties in Loney Bowl 30–22
Defeated Ottawa Gee-Gees in Atlantic Bowl 13–5
Lost to Saskatchewan Huskies in 32nd Vanier Cup 31–12
199787100.8751901201st in AUSLost to Mount Allison Mounties in Loney Bowl 20–17
1998 81700.1251122194th in AUSOut of playoffs
1999 81700.1251322704th in AUSOut of playoffs
2000 83500.375652283rd in AUSOut of playoffs
2001 83500.3751062023rd in AUSOut of playoffs
2002 86200.7502151342nd in AUSDefeated Acadia Axemen in semi-final 25–11
Lost to Saint Mary's Huskies in Loney Bowl 63–14
2003 84400.5001391433rd in AUSDefeated Acadia Axemen in semi-final 30–28
Lost to Saint Mary's Huskies in Loney Bowl 36–12
2004 83500.3751552453rd in AUSLost to Acadia Axemen in semi-final 15–8
2005 85300.6252191892nd in AUSDefeated Saint Mary's Huskies in semi-final 47–29
Lost to Acadia Axemen in Loney Bowl 69–6
2006 7250.286801763rd in AUSLost to Saint Mary's Huskies in semi-final 24–6
2007 8350.3751582842nd in AUSDefeated Acadia Axemen in semi-final 38–17
Lost to Saint Mary's Huskies in Loney Bowl 25–24
2008 8440.5001862052nd in AUSDefeated Mount Allison Mounties in semi-final 52–12
Lost to Saint Mary's Huskies in Loney Bowl 29–27
2009 8620.7502011662nd in AUSDefeated Acadia Axemen in semi-final 33–30
Lost to Saint Mary's Huskies in Loney Bowl 31–22
2010 8170.125982474th in AUSOut of playoffs
2011 8260.2501483003rd in AUSLost to Saint Mary's Huskies in semi-final 25–2
2012 8260.2501372394th in AUSOut of playoffs
2013 8350.3751501834th in AUSOut of playoffs
2014 8440.5001811802nd in AUSDefeated Acadia Axemen in semi-final 18–17
Lost to Mount Allison Mounties in Loney Bowl 29–7
2015 8530.6251721792nd in AUSDefeated Acadia Axemen in semi-final 26–4
Defeated Mount Allison Mounties in Loney Bowl 14–12
Lost to UBC Thunderbirds in Uteck Bowl 36–9
2016 8710.8752991291st in AUSDefeated Mount Allison Mounties in Loney Bowl 29–8
Lost to Calgary Dinos in Mitchell Bowl 50–24
2017 8440.5001791683rd in AUSLost to Saint Mary's Huskies in semi-final 16–15
2018 8620.7502241562nd in AUSDefeated Acadia Axemen in semi-final 33–10
Defeated Saint Mary's Huskies in Loney Bowl 33–9
Lost to Laval Rouge et Or in Uteck Bowl 63–0
2019 8260.2501282145th in AUSOut of playoffs
2020 Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 6601.000193991st in AUSDefeated Acadia Axemen in semi-final 27–22
Defeated Bishop's Gaiters in Loney Bowl 25–17
Lost to Western Mustangs in Mitchell Bowl 61–6
2022 8801.000261831st in AUSDefeated Mount Allison Mounties in Loney Bowl 21–14
Lost to Saskatchewan Huskies in Uteck Bowl 36–19
2023 8801.000267901st in AUSDefeated St. Mary's Huskies in semi-final 36–20
Defeated Bishop's Gaiters in Loney Bowl 34–23
Lost to UBC Thunderbirds in Mitchell Bowl 47–17

[3] [4]

National award winners

X-Men in the CFL

In the 2011 CFL Draft, Hénoc Muamba became the first X-Men player to be selected first overall in the Canadian College Draft, having been drafted by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. [5]

As of the start of the 2024 CFL season, three former X-Men players are on CFL teams' rosters:

[6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regina Rams</span> Gridiron football team of the University of Regina

The Regina Rams represent the University of Regina, located in Regina, Saskatchewan, in the sport of Canadian football in U Sports. The Rams joined U Sports in 1999 and have competed in the Canada West Conference since then. The program has won one U Sports football conference championship, in 2000, and the team has made one appearance in the Vanier Cup championship game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Mary's Huskies</span> Athletic teams representing Saint Marys University

The Saint Mary's Huskies are the men's and women's athletic teams that represent Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Their primary home turf is Huskies Stadium, located in the centre of the university's campus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U Sports men's ice hockey championship</span> Canadian ice hockey tournament and trophy

The U Sports Men's Ice Hockey Championship, is a Canadian university ice hockey tournament conducted by U Sports, and determines the men's national champion. The tournament involves the champions from each of Canada's four regional sports conferences. The David Johnston University Cup is awarded to the winners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Francis Xavier X-Men and X-Women</span> Sports teams of St. Francis Xavier University

The St. Francis Xavier X-Men and X-Women are the men's and women's athletic teams that represent St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada. Their primary home turf is Oland Stadium located at the University's campus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U Sports football</span> University competition in Canadian football

U Sports football is the highest level of amateur play of Canadian football and operates under the auspices of U Sports, Canada's governing body for university sports. Twenty-seven teams from Canadian universities are divided into four athletic conferences, drawing from the four regional associations of U Sports: Canada West Universities Athletic Association, Ontario University Athletics, Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec, and Atlantic University Sport. At the end of every season, the champions of each conference advance to semifinal bowl games; the winners of these meet in the Vanier Cup national championship.

The 2009 CIS football season began on August 29, 2009, and concluded its campaign with the 45th Vanier Cup national championship on November 28 at PEPS stadium in Quebec City, Quebec. Twenty-seven universities across Canada compete in CIS football, the highest level of amateur play in Canadian football, under the auspices of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS). The Queen's Golden Gaels defeated the Calgary Dinos 33-31 in the Vanier Cup to claim the 2009 national championship and their fourth in school history.

Cauchy Muamba is a Congolese-born former Canadian football player who played defensive back. He most recently played for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted 34th overall by the BC Lions in the 2010 CFL Draft and signed a contract with the team on May 25, 2010. He played CIS football for the St. Francis Xavier X-Men.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Winnipeg Blue Bombers season</span> Canadian football team season

The 2011 Winnipeg Blue Bombers was the 54th season for the team in the Canadian Football League and their 79th overall. The Blue Bombers finished in first place in the East Division with a 10–8 record. The team clinched their first playoff berth since 2008 on October 7, 2011, after a 33–17 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. On November 20, 2011, The Blue Bombers defeated the Tiger-Cats 19–3 in the East Final, advancing to the 99th Grey Cup and extending their Grey Cup appearances record to 24. However, the Bombers lost the Grey Cup game 34–23 to the BC Lions, extending their drought to 21 years without a Grey Cup championship. Their Grey Cup appearance marked their final playoff game played in five seasons, failing to make the playoffs in the four subsequent seasons following their loss to the Lions team. Incidentally, their first playoff game subsequent to their four-year playoff drought was also against the same BC Lions team they lost in the Grey Cup game in 2011, losing in a 32-31 come-from-behind victory for the Lions, ending the 2016 Winnipeg Blue Bombers season. Additionally, the Blue Bombers wouldn't host another playoff game again until the 2017 CFL season, this time losing to the Edmonton Eskimos 39-32.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hénoc Muamba</span> Congolese-Canadian gridiron football player (born 1989)

Hénoc Muamba is a Congolese-Canadian former professional football linebacker who played in both the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the National Football League (NFL). He is a two-time CFL All-Star, three-time CFL Divisional All-Star, and was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian in 2017. In 2022, he won the Grey Cup with the Argonauts and was named the game's most valuable player (MVP) and Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian, becoming the second player in history to earn both awards. He has also been a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Indianapolis Colts, Montreal Alouettes, Dallas Cowboys, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Francis Xavier X-Women ice hockey</span> University ice hockey program in Nova Scotia, Canada

The St. Francis Xavier X-Women ice hockey team plays for St. Francis Xavier University, located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The team competes in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) conference of U Sports where they were an inaugural varsity member of U Sports women's ice hockey in the 1997–98 season. Representing St. Francis Xavier Athletics, the X-Women have won the most AUS championships with eleven conference championship wins, most recently in 2020.

Blake Nill is a former Canadian football defensive lineman and the current head coach for the University of British Columbia's football team, the UBC Thunderbirds. He is a three-time Vanier Cup champion as a head coach and was awarded the Frank Tindall Trophy in 1999.

Ben Heenan is a Canadian born former American football guard who played for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL) in 2015. He also played with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of Canadian Football League (CFL). Heenan played college football for the University of Saskatchewan, and was ranked as the second best player in the CFL's Amateur Scouting Bureau final rankings for players eligible in the 2012 CFL Draft, and first by players in Canadian Interuniversity Sport, at the end of the 2011 CIS season.

The 2014 CIS football season began on September 1, 2014 with ten Ontario University Athletics teams playing that day. The season concluded on November 29 with the 50th Vanier Cup championship at Molson Stadium in Montreal. This year, 27 university teams in Canada are scheduled to play Canadian Interuniversity Sport football, the highest level of amateur Canadian football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Allison Mounties football</span> U Sports football team

The Mount Allison Mounties football team represents Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick in the sport of Canadian football in U Sports. The Mounties program has been in continuous operation since 1955 when they played an exhibition schedule and then officially joined the New Brunswick Football League (NBFL) in 1956. The football team was an inaugural member of the Maritime Intercollegiate Football League (MIFL), which was a precursor to the current sporting association, Atlantic University Sport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Mary's Huskies football</span> Canadian university football team

The Saint Mary's Huskies football team represents Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia in the sport of Canadian football in U Sports. The Huskies have been the most successful in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) conference of U Sports football, reaching the Vanier Cup championship game nine times and winning three times, both marks being the highest in the AUS. The program also has the most Jewett Trophy conference championships, winning 24 times in 32 appearances.

Stephen J. "Steve" Konchalski is an American-Canadian basketball coach who served as head coach of the St. Francis Xavier University men's basketball team from 1975 to 2021. He was the head coach of the Canadian men's national team from 1995 to 1998.

The 1999 CIAU football season began on September 10, 1999, and concluded with the 35th Vanier Cup national championship on November 27, 1999, at the SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario, with the Laval Rouge et Or winning the first Vanier Cup in program history. Twenty-four universities across Canada competed in CIAU football this season, the highest level of amateur play in Canadian football, under the auspices of the Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union (CIAU). The Regina Rams began their first season of play in the CIAU after previously playing in the Canadian Junior Football League.

Gary Waterman is the current head coach for St. Francis Xavier University's football team, the St. Francis Xavier X-Men, a position he has held since the 2009 U Sports season. He is a five-time Loney Bowl Champion and five-time Atlantic University Sport Coach of the Year winner. In 2022, he was awarded the Frank Tindall Trophy as the U Sports Football Coach of the Year.

The 1998 CIAU football season began on September 2, 1998, and concluded with the 34th Vanier Cup national championship on November 28, 1998, at the SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario, with the Saskatchewan Huskies winning the third Vanier Cup championship in program history. Twenty-four universities across Canada competed in CIAU football this season, the highest level of amateur play in Canadian football, under the auspices of the Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union (CIAU). This year would be the last for the Carelton Ravens until their re-establishment in 2013 as the program was discontinued in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gregor MacKellar</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1998)

Gregor Bruce MacKellar is a professional Canadian football offensive lineman for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

References

  1. "Uteck Bowl History". U Sports. 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  2. "Atlantic University Sport Men's Football Past Champions". Atlantic University Sport. 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  3. "Bob Adams CIS Sportspage". Chebucto Community Net. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  4. "U Sports football standings". U Sports . Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  5. "Muamba selected 1st overall in CFL draft". St. Francis Xavier X-Men. May 8, 2011.
  6. "CFL players". Canadian Football League . Retrieved June 15, 2024.