Montreal native, Andy Currie, a graduate of Acadia with a BA in 1976 and a BED in 1978, contributed greatly to the Axemen’s football program as both a athlete and coach during the 1970’s.
As a student of MacDonald High School in the Montreal area, he excelled in athletics during his early junior and senior high school days. Completing high school at King’s College in Windsor, he managed, in his senior year to gain MVP awards in rugby and hockey and was fittingly named the school’s top athlete.
Arriving on the Acadia campus during the fall of 1970 he was destined to wear the Axemen ‘s football garb for four seasons.
During his rookie season he was part of an Acadia squad that posted a 4-2 regular schedule record. In the subsequent two seasons he was named a Bluenose Football Conference All-Star.
His ’72 -’73 season was highlighted by his team’s victories over UPEI, St. FX, Dalhousie, Mt. A and UNB, with a single loss to the very powerful St. Mary’s team.
Individually, during those seasons, Andy was often cited by the Athenaeum ‘s staff as sharing accolades with such as AI Charuk, Marv Allemang and others. His final season as an Axeman athlete was highlighted by the team’s early-season victory over perennial champions, the St. Mary’s Huskies. In that victory and a subsequent triumph over St. FX; he shared centre stage with such team mates as AI Charuk, Brian Harvie, Cliff McLeod, Kevin Carson, Cliff Stevens and Dan McNally.
Following that ’74 -’75 academic year, Andy joined the Canadian Football League, enjoying a fine rookie season with the Hamilton Tiger Cats. Returning to Acadia for a couple of courses to complete his degree during the ’75 – ’76 year, he performed during the latter part of the season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Following further action and recurring knee problems he opted to return to the Maritimes.
For the next several seasons Andy was part of the Axemen’s coaching staff. Several AUAA championships followed, highlighted by the ’79-’80 squad that captured Canadian honours. Appreciating the fine defensive skills taught by Coach Vespaziani and having the opportunities to share this knowledge is a fond memory for Andy.
It is a pleasure to welcome for induction to Acadia’s Sports Hall of Fame, Andy Currie, twice a football Axeman Conference AII-Star, a CFL athlete and former Acadia assistant coach.
