HAMILTON, Ont. (July 21, 2020) – The Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum (CFHOF) announced their 2020 class of inductees on Thursday and Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks alumnus Larry Uteck will be inducted in the Builder category. 

Uteck was a member of the 1973 Golden Hawks men's football team that would go on to be OUAA Champions, Uteck was also named an OUA First Team All-Star that same year. He previously played at the University of Colorado before donning the purple and gold and bringing home a provincial title. 

Following his time at Laurier Uteck played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for seven years where he spent time with the Toronto Argos, BC Lions, Ottawa Rough Riders and Montreal Alouettes. He was named a Conference All-Star in 1974, 1975 and 1976. 

After his professional playing career Uteck joined Saint Mary's University's football program as an assistant coach in 1982 and became head coach in 1983, he remained in that position until 1997. Over his time as head coach Uteck was a five-time Atlantic University Athletic Association (AUAA) Coach of the Year, a two-time Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) Coach of the Year, he led the Huskies to seven AUAA titles, three Atlantic Bowls and appeared in three Vanier Cups. 

Uteck's impact goes beyond his time at the helm of just the football program at Saint Mary's as he was the Athletic Director from 1995 to 2002. While Athletic Director the Huskies Football program went on to win two Vanier Cups and four consecutive Atlantic University Sport (AUS) conference championships. 

Uteck passed away in 2002 and the Atlantic Bowl was renamed the Uteck Bowl in his honour in 2003. 

Being inducted into the CFHOF is an outstanding honour that current Golden Hawks head coach Michael Faulds recognizes. “Always great to see a former Golden Hawk player receive recognition at the highest level in the sport and as a program, we are very proud of all his accomplishments. What's more impressive to me as a Football Coach is that Larry Uteck has had a lifetime full of coaching and leading student-athletes. He is definitely someone that any young coach in Canada can look up to.” 

While Uteck is entering the Hall of Fame as a Builder for his time at Saint Mary's, his time as a student-athlete at Laurier is a part of his legacy as well. Associate Director of Interuniversity Sport Programs Ryan Lannan knows the honour for Uteck includes his career as a whole. “When any Golden Hawk receives this type of recognition it is a testament to their impact that has consistently reflected positively on those around them.  These types of positive impacts still resonate in our messaging to our student-athletes and coaches today.  Larry was able to leave this positive impact as a student-athlete, professional athlete, coach and administrator.  I am also happy for Larry's family, who will be able to share in this recognition as well.”

The CFHOF ceremony was schedule for August 14 but due to the COVID-19 pandemic is has been postponed. For the full list of 2020 CFHOF inductees visit clf.ca. 

-  With files from the CFL