Glace Bay native John Leggitt starred in both varsity rugby and hockey, being considered by his peers as probably the rugby team’s best inside three-quarter and hockey’s top defensive defenseman of their time.
For three seasons as well he played creditably in interclass basketball and interclass track, but it was on the rugby field and ice lanes that he truly shone.
During the war years when the Axemen played mainly against service teams, town and city clubs and to a lesser extent inter-scholastic competition, Leggitt was a prominent performer. During the fall of ’44, for example, he and Ralph Manning were top offensive producers as the rugby Axemen defeated Aldershot Army 8-0.
Following the war, the Axemen opened their rugby season with a 9-6 victory over Dalhousie as Leggitt shared the accolades with teammates “Baldy” Purdy and Doug Craig. In a 6-5 win over St. F.X., John Leggitt, described as a “rugged Cape Bretoner” was prominent. Again, in a 17-0 triumph over St. Mary’s, he was considered “an outstanding player”.
As a hockey Axeman that winter, he starred in a playoff home-and-home series against the very experienced Kentville Wildcats. In that series’ final contest, Leggitt, returning to the lineup following an injury, performed wonders on the blue line.
During the fall of’ 46, Leggitt scored five tries during the season -second best among the Axemen. In the team’s opener, for example, Captain Leggitt managed a couple of tries in his team’s 11- 3 win over Dalhousie. In a 19-3 win over Halifax Wanderers for the City League title, Leggitt shared the spotlight with teammates Neil Mac Vicar and Ralph Turner. Later, this popular leader and mates lost 9-5 to Caledonia in the McCundy Cup game.
During his senior year, John was forced from action due to a car accident. However, his method of morale building and hard clean play had been, for three seasons, a tremendous inspiration to his teammates. Although forced to the sidelines, his devotion and loyalty to his friends never ceased as he attended every game -acting as a lineman or referee.
It is an honour to induct posthumously, to the Acadia Sports Hall of Fame, John Leggitt, an outstanding rugby and hockey performer of the forties who, during the spring of, 47, was recipient of the prestigious Orlay Bligh Trophy.
