Coached by Frank Smith, the Thunderbirds went undefeated in regular-season play and outscored Canada West opponents 237-82.
After a crushing 49-3 victory over the Calgary Dinos in the Canada West Championship, the Thunderbirds travelled to Lennoxville, Quebec where they defeated the Bishop’s Gaiters 32-30 in the Churchill Bowl to win a berth in the Vanier Cup. One week later Smith’s Thunderbirds claimed UBC’s second-ever Vanier Cup championship with a thrilling 25-23 win over the Western Ontario Mustangs.
A total of nine UBC players were named Canada West All-stars, while three were named First Team All Canadians (Jack Beetstra, Mark Norman, Leo Groenewegen). Defensive back Mark Norman was a finalist for the Hec Crighton Trophy (CIS Most Outstanding Player) and the winner of the President’s trophy (CIS Most Outstanding Defensive Player).
12 members of the team went on to play professional football in the CFL (Mike Bellefontaine, Matt Clarke, Terry Cochrane, Ron Crick, Dwayne Derban, Massimo Geremia, Leo Groenewegen, Rob Moretto, Tom Munro, Mark Norman, Matt Pearce, Rae Robirtis).
Team Members (in alphabetical order)
Terry Ainge, Bill Barber, Jack Beetstra, Mike Bellefontaine, Doug Bryson, Carey Bymoen, Kevin Clarke, Matt Clarke, Terry Cochrane, Ron Crick, Chris Cunningham, Joe Danieli, James Dawson, Lee Deibert, Dwayne Derban, Chris Dobrovolny, Ken Dodd, Clayton Doige, Peter Espig, Matt Fitzpatrick, Jordan Gagner, Massimo Geremia, Mac Gordon, Vince Gorman, Leo Groenewegen, David Groves, Wayne Harvey, Mike Hooker, Richard Howlett, Ron Huryn, Al Jones, John Kadla, Craig Keller, Roald Kovacik, Tony Kristopaitis, Jordan Leith, Bill Long, Tyler Lorenz, Bruce McDonald, Ivan Miller, David Moen, Rob Moretto, Tom Munro, Mark Norman, Sean Orr, Matt Pearce, Mark Petros, George Petrovas, Eric Putoto, Rae Robirtis, Rob Ros, Mike Shields, Doug Shorman, Doug Spencer, Tom Vlasic, Frank Smith (head coach), Bob Laycoe (defensive coordinator), Assistant coaches: Jerry Parr, Dave Easley, Joe Gluska
