Every weekday until UBC football's home opener on September 9th, GoThunderbirds.ca will release five former T-Birds on the list of 'The Top 100 UBC Football Players'. Follow along on the UBC football page of GoThunderbirds.ca. Support the 2017 version of the UBC Thunderbirds football program by purchasing your season tickets today at GoThunderbirds.ca/tickets.
 
Who is the greatest Thunderbird to ever play football for UBC? A lofty question and one that is hard to quantify. Comparing football players through generations is challenging. The game of football has seen countless changes in rules and equipment, since the first team of what were then called Canadian rugby-football players formed at Point Grey in 1923.


 
These obstacles did not deter UBC defensive coordinator Pat Tracey, however. Tracey, a self-confessed football stats and history 'geek', wanted to compile an easy to digest ranking list for fans and alumni alike. He went to work devising a ranking system to create a final compilation: 'The Top 100 UBC Football Players'.
 
"This was a special research project and very rewarding as we revisited the games and available year-end stats from 1970-2016.  We also reviewed the UBC Sports Hall of Fame and BC Football Hall of Fame bio's and archives and articles from the Ubyssey," said Tracey. "It is difficult to compare decades and positions, but we devised an overall points ranking based on player accolades and accomplishments. Each category was given a numerical value including National Champion, All-Star, Hardy Cup Champion, All-Canadian, CIS Major Awards, Conference and Bowl game awards, being drafted or signing with the CFL and NFL, being a Canada West or UBC statistical leader and holding Canada West and UBC records."


 
This list is sure to generate fierce debate. There is absolutely no way to include every great player who donned the 'Blue and Gold', especially with the lack of statistics and detailed records from the early to mid decades of the 20th century. Until 1965, UBC football players did not have the opportunity to play for the Vanier Cup, one of the main point generators in the ranking system. Players who played only one season at UBC would not gain enough points in the ranking system to qualify. Current players do not qualify for the list either.
 
But the list is the best way the current UBC football program can honor those who came before them, the main purpose of the project.
 
"The growth of our football alumni network is an important component to our effort here at UBC Football.  Alumni are often the catalysts to change and improvement," says UBC head coach Blake Nill. "Football typically creates athletes with extreme passion about their past careers.  Recognizing past successes and accomplishments is important for that passion to remain intact."


 
For Tracey, entering his second season shepherding the T-Bird defence, the project left a lasting impression.
 
"What stood out was the remarkable achievements and history of the football program. The number of conference championships, record holders and CFL players is outstanding," explains Tracey. "The most surprising element was the number players who starred on defense or offense and were also tops in the conference as specialists."
 
Let the debate begin.