Antigonish, NS—StFX Athletics is pleased to announce this year's inductees into the StFX Sports Hall of Fame. Included in this year's class are six athletes: Bob Mincarelli (football), Deanna Corbett-White (basketball/field hockey), Allan MacIsaac (hockey), Lavinia (Gough) Carreau (cross country), Michelle (Chisholm) Murray (cross country/soccer), and Eric Gillis (cross country/track & field); and as well as one builder, Mike Cavanagh (rugby) and two teams: the 1996 X-Men football team and the 2003-04 X-Men hockey team.
This year's induction ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, September 29, 2016 during Homecoming at StFX University. Inductees will also take part in ceremonial events at varsity games during Homecoming weekend. The 2016 StFX Sports Hall of Fame inductees include:
ATHLETE CATEGORY:
Robert (Bob) Mincarelli (Football, Class of 1974)
Bob Mincarelli was a two-way player with the X-Men for four seasons, playing both defensive back and flanker. He was a three-time Bluenose Football Conference all-star in each of his final years in 1971, 1972 and 1973. The X-Men team captain in 1973, Bob earned All-Canadian status in both 1971 and 1972, while also taking home the team's most valuable honor for the 1971 season. He went on to sign as a free agent with the NFL's New York Giants in 1975.
Deanna Corbett-White (Basketball and Field Hockey, Class of 1986)
Deanna Corbett-White was a dual-sport athlete, lending her talents to both the field hockey and basketball teams over four seasons at StFX. The StFX female athlete of the year in both 1986 and 1987, Deanna was the X-Women basketball MVP in those two years as the team enjoyed successful playoff drives. She was the top scorer in the AUAA conference in 1987, earning AUAA first team all-star status and taking home the league MVP trophy. On the field hockey pitch, Deanna played two years in her final two seasons at StFX and was the teams' top scorer in 1987.
Allan MacIsaac (Hockey, Class of 1991)
Al MacIsaac skated for four years with the X-Men, where he tallied 112 career points (54 goals, 58 assists), 404 penalty minutes and was a two-time AUAA all-star (1989, 1991) in the forward position. The X-Men most valuable player in his final three seasons, Allan was named the 1991 StFX male athlete of the year and led the team in scoring on two occasions. He also earned the nod as an AUAA all-star defenseman in his final season. A 12th round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 1987, Allan went on to a successful playing career in the ECHL and AHL and has been with the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks senior management team since 2000, enjoying three Stanley Cup victories.
Lavinia (Gough) Carreau (Cross Country, Class of 2001)
Runner Lavinia Carreau (nee Gough) blazed a trail of success during her five seasons with the X-Women. A five-time X-Women runner of the year, Lavinia began her career as the AUS rookie of the year in 1996, then followed up with the honor of AUS runner of the year in both 1999 and 2000. She led the X-Women to their first ever team conference title in 2000 and she was the individual AUS champion in both 2000 and 1999. A four-time AUS all-star, she was a 1999 CIS first team All-Canadian and individual silver medal at the CIS national championship, as well as earning CIS second team all-star status in 2000. A competitor at the 2000 World University Cross Country Games, she capped off her success by being recognized as the 2000 and 2001 StFX female athlete of the year.
Michelle (Chisholm) Murray (Cross Country and Soccer, Class of 2003)
Michelle Murray (nee Chisholm) played varsity soccer and was a standout runner with the cross country team during her years at StFX. A team captain with the cross country squad in 2001 and 2002, she also earned AUS all-star status in each of those two seasons and was a CIS first team All-Canadian in 2001, while helping to lead the X-Women to an AUS title in 2002. On the soccer pitch, Michelle was the X-Women rookie of the year in 1998 and was an AUS all-star in the striker position in 1999 as she was second in conference scoring.
Eric Gillis (Cross Country and Track & Field, Class of 2004)
Eric Gillis' name is synonymous with running excellence at StFX. Over his five seasons with the X-Men, he earned AUS all-star status each year, culminating with the ultimate title as the CIS individual national champion in 2003. The AUS and CIS runner of the year in 2003, Eric was a four-time CIS All-Canadian and competed twice at the World University Cross Country Games for Canada in both 2002 and 2004. The five-time X-Men runner of the year, Eric was honored as the 2003 and 2004 StFX male athlete of the year and received the prestigious AUS James Bayer award in 2004. He has gone on to join a very successful running career. Currently the Canadian marathon champion, he has competed at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games and is looking forward to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
BUILDER CATEGORY:
Mike Cavanagh (Rugby, Class of 2013)
X-Women rugby head coach is very likely the most winningest coach in CIS history. After completing his 17th season with the X-Women, the nine-time AUS Coach of Year has a career coaching record of 122-31-5 since 2002 (regular season, AUS and CIS playoffs) and a regular season record of 81-3-2. The 2012 and 2001 CIS Coach of the Year, he received an honorary X-ring in 2013 after he guided his team to their fourth CIS national championship title. Coach Cavanagh's X-Women have taken home the CIS Monilex trophy in 2014, 2012, 2010 and 2006, in addition to winning 16 consecutive AUS championships titles from 1999 to 2014. He has led X-Women to 14 straight AUS first place finishes, and has only lost one AUS playoff game.
TEAM CATEGORY:
1996 X-Men Football Team
The 1996 X-Men were Vanier Cup finalists and remain only the second football team in StFX history to reach the CIS national championship game. Coached by John Stevens, the X-Men played to a first place finish in the AUAA (now AUS) regular season standings with a 6-2 record. They went on to claim the Jewett Trophy as AUAA conference champions with a 30-22 win over Mount Allison, then became Atlantic Bowl champions with a 13-5 victory over Ottawa. They came up short to Saskatchewan (31-12) in the Vanier Cup game played in Toronto. The 1996 X-Men squad had 11 AUAA conference all-stars on the roster, including three CIAU All-Canadians in receiver Andre Arlain, defensive lineman Mark Farraway and linebacker Paul Frlan, who was also the AUAA defensive player of the year.
2003-2004 X-Men Hockey Team
The 2003-04 X-Men hockey team were CIS national champions and remain the only team in StFX history to win the national University Cup title. Coached by Danny Flynn, the X-Men played to a first place finish in the AUS regular season standings with a 19-6-3-0 record. After beating St. Thomas 2-1 in the best-of-three semifinal series, they swept Dalhousie 3-0 in the best-of-five conference final to claim the AUS championship title. At the national championship in Fredericton, the X-Men defeated York (4-0) and Dalhousie (5-0) in round robin action then claimed the CIS national crown with a thrilling 3-2 double overtime victory over the host UNB Varsity Reds. The 2003-04 squad was led by captain and CIS All-Canadian Patrick Grandmaitre, along with CIS tournament MVP goaltender Mike Mole and CIS tournament all-star defenceman Mike Martone.
The StFX Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 1976 and exists to honor those individuals who have contributed significantly to StFX sports as athletes, teams or as builders. Those chosen inductees have exemplified the spirit and ideals of Xaverian athletics in their professional and community lives. Induction ceremonies take place every two years.
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