The University of British Columbia Athletics

1974 T-Birds squad was led by legendary coach Joe Johnson who had been in the position since 1961 and during his time had taken the program to the next level. Johnson, a native of Scotland was previously an outstanding athlete and star soccer player having played professionally with the Glasgow Rangers from 1946 until 1955. Johnson's passion for the game was infectious to his players.
 
The 1974 team was led by Canadian international goalkeeper Greg Weber, an experienced back four of Phil Sanford, Roy Zuyderduyn, Bob Baker and Terry Thompson. Moving up the pitch it was Daryl Samson in the middle of the midfield, and Brian Budd at center forward.
 
After an undefeated tour of Colorado and Northern California in October, the T-Birds won the Canada West tournament (there was no league at that time) on its home turf.  The finals were hosted by Loyola College (now merged with Concordia University) in very cold weather on a small, bumpy, hard pitch in West Montreal.
 
UBC beat Dalhousie 1 - 0 on a lovely shot from distance by Daryl Samson and went through to the final game against Loyola.  UBC took the lead on a goal in the first-half from Ray Webster, then gave up a tying goal in the second half.  Late in the game, after a number of near misses by the 'Birds, Brian Budd scored another goal from distance and UBC held on to win 2 – 1 and claim their first-ever national title for UBC men's soccer. 

Weber, Samson and Budd all went on to play soccer for Canada and professionally with the Vancouver Whitecaps. As well, John Nelson (left mid-field) went on to play professionally for Cincinnati in the Major Indoor Soccer League.