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Greatest Rivalry
Games against Acadia, in the sports of hockey and football, aroused the most interest among fans at Mount Allison before WWI. Mount Allison had strong teams in both football and hockey, and it was easy for everyone at Mount Allison to get excited. One such person was David Allison, who was president of the University from 1891 to 1911 . Rev. J.W. O’Brien, who was a student at the University between 1898 and 1900, wrote in his memoirs that “During an intercollegiate football game Dr. Allison was always the most excited person on campus.” Dr. Allison even declared a holiday on campus following Mount Allison's victory in hockey over Acadia in 1903.
The excitement generated by games against Acadia continued well into the next decade. University student Fred Rand, class of 1912, in an interview conducted 1 February 1977, noted:
"... the feeling would be more keen concerning Acadia, if we could beat Acadia, we didn't care how much the other fellas beat us, that was the main thing. So that the feeling of competition between Acadia and Mount A at that time was much more intense than it was with the other ones."
Mount Allison University Athletic Field and fans, ca. 1907
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