Rugby football
- Early versions
- Noble deeds of gallantry
- First varsity team
- Enthusiasm grows
- King of sports
- Men of the gridiron
- War years
Enthusiasm Grows
The growth of the sport at Mount Allison in the 1890s was hampered by poor playing field conditions. Although a new athletic field was created in 1892, it was uneven, lumpy, and even considered to be hazardous to the players' safety. The Argosy (January 1898) claimed that Mount Allison had "the worst football field" in all of the Maritimes. In addition, the field was located on the university's agricultural grounds, a quarter of a mile away from campus.
In October 1900, after two years of fundraising efforts by Mount Allison’s Athletic Club, including concerts and gymnasium exhibitions, a new athletic field, situated next to the recently constructed University residence, was completed.
Enthusiasm for the sport of rugby football, which had been dipping in the late-1890s, subsequently rose. The level of competition, too, and the desire to win on the part of the players and the fans, also increased. Dr. David Allison, president of Mount Allison between 1869 and 1878, and again from 1891 to 1911, was observed by future rugby football coach Herbert F.S. Paisley to have "muttered fiercely in his beard if Mount Allison were beaten."
Mount Allison University [and Acadia?] rugby football teams, ca. 1896.
Mount Allison University rugby football game, Athletic Field, ca. 1904
Mount Allison University rugby football game, Athletic Field, ca. 1910
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Sackville, New Brunswick
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