..whose achievements established a standard for future Axemen.
One of the finest all-round athletes ever to grace the playing fields of Acadia was the late Dr. James Robert Feindel, better known to the sports followers of his time as “Jo-Jo”.
Jim Feindel, who departed from Acadia during the spring of 1938, entered Dalhousie University that fall. In 1943, he graduated with his M.D. and immediately entered World War II, subsequently being decorated in his role as a Medical Officer. Following years of meritorious service in England, Germany and Korea, he served as a commanding officer at Gagetown, New Brunswick. He later served for seven years with the New Brunswick Department of Health -before returning “home” to Bridgewater to engage as a general practitioner.
During his undergraduate years at Acadia, he became a living legend on the rugby field, the ice lanes and track and field sites.
Following early recognition as a key member of Acadia’s intermediate rugby championship team of ’34- 35, “Jo-Jo” continued to impress as he starred with the ’35-36 Acadia club that won the Nova Scotia Intercollegiate title by defeating St. F.X., 6-3. On November 4, 1936, as the Acadia boys won the Maritime title, this lanky three-quarter star drew plenty of praise for his outstanding performance.
In hockey, Jim Feindel was a very capable athlete. Playing in the midst of such stars as Neil Sanford, Jack Murdock and others, Jim was an impressive performer. Highlighting his ice lanes career was the game of February 23, 1938 in which he and his teammates dethroned St. F.X. to win the provincial intercollegiate title.
In track and field, “Jo-Jo” Feindel was an even bigger attraction, consistently winning first-place medals in the 220 yards, 440 yards, 880 yards and javelin events.
During the spring of ’37 the Fred Kelly-coached track and field team won the Maritime title for the eighth time in a nine-year span. On that occasion Jim won medals in six events as he emerged as the meet’s high individual scorer with twenty-three points. The following spring he was again the Maritimes’ top individual scorer with twenty-five points as the Kellymen repeated as tri-province champs.
An editorial of the time summed up “Jo-Jo’s” contribution to the sports life at Acadia: “Captain Jo-Jo Feindel, the Flying Dutchman, regarded as one of the greatest athletes to ever attend Acadia, was the overwhelming factor …”
