April 8, 2009
ENGEL NAMED BLUES FOOTBALL ASSISTANT COACH
TORONTO, Ont. - The University of Toronto Faculty of Physical Education and Health is pleased to announce the appointment of John Engel as athletic instructor and Varsity Blues football assistant coach, effective April 8, 2009.
A part-time coach at U of T since December 2007, Engel has been the receivers and quarterbacks coach as well as the team's offensive assistant. His versatility and coaching knowledge are advantageous to both the full-time coaching position, which includes additional teaching responsibilities within the Faculty.
"John has been a tremendous addition to the Varsity Blues football program and will make an even bigger impact as a full-time member of the Faculty," said Liz Hoffman, director of athletics at the University of Toronto. "His coaching background, his recruiting experience and his engagement with the students are truly exceptional."
The Etobicoke native is a product of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) program, where eight current Blues starters were members of his Etobicoke Eagles teams. Since 2003, Engel has moved from offensive coordinator of the Eagles Junior Varsity team to head coach and director of football operations of the Varsity squad, culminating with an OVFL championship in 2006.
Engel also gained valuable CIS experience with his alma mater, York University. A team captain and CIS academic all-Canadian in 2002, Engel made the Dean's list while earning a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Honours) and guiding the Lions (then Yeomen) to the school's first playoff victory. Engel returned to the school to become the team's receivers coach and offensive assistant from 2003 to 2007.
Engaging himself in campus life, Engel was also an instructor at York's level I and II coaching clinics as well as the organizer and lead coach for the University's high school development camp.
"John has done a tremendous job in his various roles with our football program," said Blues football head coach Greg DeLaval. "He's a great fit for this particular role especially in the areas of recruiting, preparation and football instincts. His infectious attitude will help us move in the right direction."
The Varsity Blues football program marked its 130th anniversary in 2007 with the opening of the new Varsity Centre, a state-of-the art, 5,000-seat stadium on the site of the historic Varsity Stadium. Over the years, the Blues have won eight national championships, including two during the pre-Grey Cup era (1895, 1905), four Grey Cup titles (1909, 1910, 1911, 1920) and two Vanier Cup banners (1965, 1993), and have won 25 Yates Cup conference championships since the establishment of intercollegiate play in 1898.
The Varsity Blues move into their renovated locker room in the new Varsity Pavilion prior to the start of training camp, which is set to begin on August 24. They kick off the regular season Mon., Sept. 7 by hosting the Laurier Golden Hawks at 7 p.m. For further information, visit www.varsityblues.ca.
Source: Toronto Varsity Blues
A part-time coach at U of T since December 2007, Engel has been the receivers and quarterbacks coach as well as the team's offensive assistant. His versatility and coaching knowledge are advantageous to both the full-time coaching position, which includes additional teaching responsibilities within the Faculty.
"John has been a tremendous addition to the Varsity Blues football program and will make an even bigger impact as a full-time member of the Faculty," said Liz Hoffman, director of athletics at the University of Toronto. "His coaching background, his recruiting experience and his engagement with the students are truly exceptional."
The Etobicoke native is a product of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) program, where eight current Blues starters were members of his Etobicoke Eagles teams. Since 2003, Engel has moved from offensive coordinator of the Eagles Junior Varsity team to head coach and director of football operations of the Varsity squad, culminating with an OVFL championship in 2006.
Engel also gained valuable CIS experience with his alma mater, York University. A team captain and CIS academic all-Canadian in 2002, Engel made the Dean's list while earning a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Honours) and guiding the Lions (then Yeomen) to the school's first playoff victory. Engel returned to the school to become the team's receivers coach and offensive assistant from 2003 to 2007.
Engaging himself in campus life, Engel was also an instructor at York's level I and II coaching clinics as well as the organizer and lead coach for the University's high school development camp.
"John has done a tremendous job in his various roles with our football program," said Blues football head coach Greg DeLaval. "He's a great fit for this particular role especially in the areas of recruiting, preparation and football instincts. His infectious attitude will help us move in the right direction."
The Varsity Blues football program marked its 130th anniversary in 2007 with the opening of the new Varsity Centre, a state-of-the art, 5,000-seat stadium on the site of the historic Varsity Stadium. Over the years, the Blues have won eight national championships, including two during the pre-Grey Cup era (1895, 1905), four Grey Cup titles (1909, 1910, 1911, 1920) and two Vanier Cup banners (1965, 1993), and have won 25 Yates Cup conference championships since the establishment of intercollegiate play in 1898.
The Varsity Blues move into their renovated locker room in the new Varsity Pavilion prior to the start of training camp, which is set to begin on August 24. They kick off the regular season Mon., Sept. 7 by hosting the Laurier Golden Hawks at 7 p.m. For further information, visit www.varsityblues.ca.
Source: Toronto Varsity Blues
