Athol Murray College of Notre Dame
Encyclopedia
History
In 1920, the Sisters of Charity of St. LouisSisters of Charity of St. Louis
The Sisters of Charity of St. Louis is a Roman Catholic religious congregation. It was founded for the education of poor girls, at Vannes in Brittany, in 1803, by Madame Molé, née de Lamoignan, at the suggestion of Antoine-Xavier Maynaud de Pancemont, Bishop of Vannes.-History:In 1805 Pope Pius...
opened the Notre Dame of the Prairies Convent and St. Augustine's residential elementary and high school for boys and girls at Wilcox, Saskatchewan; a small town on the Canadian prairies 49 kilometres (30.4 mi) south of Regina
Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
– the provincial capital.
Father Athol Murray
Athol Murray
Monsignor Athol Murray, was a Canadian priest and educator.Born in Toronto, Ontario, he was educated at Loyola College, St. Michael's College School, St. Hyacinthe College, and Université Laval....
was appointed to St. Augustine's parish in Wilcox, Saskatchewan
Wilcox, Saskatchewan
Wilcox is a small village in Saskatchewan, Canada. Located approximately 41 kilometers south of Regina, Wilcox is best known for being the home of the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame, a boarding school for students in grades 9-12. The village is also home to the Notre Dame Hounds ice hockey...
, in 1927. The institution's name was eventually changed to honour his contributions.
In the beginning, the College had no running water or central heat. In 1930, fees were $18 per month, but many students couldn't afford to pay. Père (Father) Murray accepted students on the basis that they desired an education, not on their ability to pay. A side of beef, a chicken, a bucket of coal and produce were often accepted instead of money. Students came from everywhere and from every type of social, cultural and religious background.
Murray was assisted by Sister Mary Edith McCullough. Her teaching career spanned 30 years at Wilcox. Sr. Edith ran the elementary and high schools while Père spent most of his time with the students in the Arts programs. In 1933, Père Murray succeeded in obtaining an official affiliation with the University of Ottawa.
Père Murray believed in the Greek philosophy of developing the mind, body and spirit and envisioned a school that could develop great scholars and athletes through equal emphasis on the disciplines of academics, athletics and faith. Notre Dame's longstanding success in developing well-balanced individuals is a testament to that vision.
Though Murray died in 1975, his legacy lives on. Père's beloved Notre Dame College continues to produce many of North America's finest student athletes through a balanced program that emphasizes the values of good character, leadership and community living. Père's motto "Luctor et Emergo" (Struggle and Emerge) is still reinforced today.
The Institute for stained glass in Canada has documented the stained glass at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame.
Athletics
In addition to its academic programs, the College has many sports teams that the students play on. The most notable are the SJHL'sSaskatchewan Junior Hockey League
The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league under Hockey Canada, a part of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Open to North American-born players 20 years of age or younger, the SJHL's 12 teams play in two divisions: the Bauer and Sherwood conferences...
Notre Dame Hounds
Notre Dame Hounds
The Notre Dame Hounds are a Junior "A" team based out of Wilcox, Saskatchewan. They play out of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. The Hounds also had a Junior "B" team that played out of the South Saskatchewan Junior B Hockey League, but the team folded after the 2005-06 Season. The team...
, but there are a number of minor hockey teams by the same name, playing under the SHA
Saskatchewan Hockey Association
The Saskatchewan Hockey Association is the governing body of all ice hockey in Saskatchewan, Canada. The Saskatchewan Hockey Association is a branch of Hockey Canada.-Leagues:*Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Tier II Junior "A"...
banner. The Jr. A franchise is famous for winning the 1988 Centennial Cup. The Midget AAA minor hockey teams also famous, but for winning numerous Telus Cups as National Midget champions. The male Hounds won the 2009 & 2010 Telus Cup & the female AAA Hounds earned a Silver medal losing to the Thunderbay Queens in the Esso Cup National Championship in 2010 after a decade of Western Shield Championships & appearances. During the 2011 Esso cup National Championship,the female AAA hounds beat the Edmonton Thunder to win the gold medal.
Current Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
forward Vincent Lecavalier
Vincent Lecavalier
Vincent Lecavalier is a Canadian professional hockey center and captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League .-Rimouski Océanic:...
, and former Lightning forward Brad Richards
Brad Richards
Bradley Glenn Richards is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League .-Early career:Born and raised in Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island...
, currently of the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
, played together in the school's AAA Bantam program, while numerous others have gone on to be drafted into the WHL
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
.
Notre Dame also runs high school athletics programs in rugby, lacrosse, football, basketball, soccer, volleyball and baseball.
Notable alumni
- Delaney CollinsDelaney CollinsDelaney Collins is a women's ice hockey player. On August 23, 2011, Collins announced her retirement from international play.-Playing career:...
(Olympic Gold Medallist - Team Canada Women) - Gordon CurrieGordon CurrieGordon Currie is a Canadian and American actor. He has also directed, written and produced several films. He works in both the U.S. and Canada in television and film roles. He is probably best known for his role as Nicolae Carpathia in Left Behind-Early life:Currie was born in Vancouver, British...
1943 (Order Of Canada) - Dr. Olive Dickason 1945 (Order of Canada)
- Brian Felesky 1960 (Order of Canada)
- Alice HendersonAlice HendersonAlice Henderson is an American author originally from Kirkwood, Missouri and currently residing in San Francisco, California.-Buffyverse:Novels relating to the fictional universe established by Buffy and Angel:*Night Terrors...
1951 (Canadian Author). - Bill Hunter 1939 (Order of Canada)
- Jason KenneyJason KenneyJason T. Kenney, PC, MP is Canada's current Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. He has represented the riding of Calgary Southeast in the Canadian House of Commons since 1997....
1986 (Canada's current Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism) - Gerald MaierGerald MaierGerald James Maier, is a Canadian petroleum executive.He is the former Chairman, President and CEO of TransCanada PipeLines Ltd....
1946 (Order of Canada) - Major Derek Prohar M.M.V 1996 (Awarded the Medal of Military Valour)
- Dr. Ray Rajotte 1950 (Order of Canada & one of Canada's leading Diabetes researchers)
- Kal Suurkask(2011/2012 Action Canada Fellow)
- Numerous NHL hockey stars including; Vincent LecavalierVincent LecavalierVincent Lecavalier is a Canadian professional hockey center and captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League .-Rimouski Océanic:...
, Jordan EberleJordan EberleJordan Ryan Eberle is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League . He was selected in the first round, 22nd overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft...
, Tyler MyersTyler MyersTyler Myers is an American-born Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League . He was drafted by the Sabres in the first round, 12th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. At the end of the 2009–10 NHL season, Myers won the...
, Rod Brind'AmourRod Brind'AmourRoderic Jean Brind'Amour is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League for the St. Louis Blues, Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes. He captained the Hurricanes to the franchise's first Stanley Cup championship in...
, Brad RichardsBrad RichardsBradley Glenn Richards is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League .-Early career:Born and raised in Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island...
, Keith AulieKeith AulieKeith Aulie is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League . Aulie was drafted by the Calgary Flames 116th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Aulie played junior hockey for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League , and was honoured as...
, Braydon CoburnBraydon CoburnBraydon Coburn is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, Wendel ClarkWendel ClarkWendel L. Clark is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is perhaps best known for being a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League , captaining the team from 1991 to 1994...
, Gary LeemanGary LeemanGary Leeman is a former professional ice hockey player in the NHL.-Playing career:He attended Notre Dame College in Wilcox, Saskatchewan and was a standout defenceman for two seasons with the WHL's Regina Pats where he was voted the league's Top Defenceman and a First Team All-Star.Leeman was...
, Russ CourtnallRuss CourtnallRuss Courtnall is a former NHL player. He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings...
, Teddy PurcellTeddy PurcellEdward "Teddy" Purcell is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
to name just a few. Jaden SchwartzJaden SchwartzJaden Schwartz is a Canadian ice hockey player for the Colorado College Tigers of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association for the 2010–11 season. He was selected 14th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.-Minor:Schwartz played minor hockey at Athol Murray College of Notre...
'10 was most recently a member of the Team Canada's World Jr A team and is a future NHL star.