Paul Kilger
Sport: Football
Year Inducted: 2002
In the spring-of 1971, a young lineman with the University of East Tennesse decided to return to his native Canada to enrol at the University of Ottawa. For the Gee-Gees’ varsity football program, it was an early Christmas gift. Paul Kilger became a standout defensive tackle with the Gee-Gees for five seasons.
He was considered to be one of the quickest linemen in the Canadian University game. He possessed halfback speed with a clocking of 4.8 seconds in the 4O-yard sprint.
In four of those seasons, the St. Lawrence High School graduate was an Ontario University Athletic Association All-Star.
The foundation for Paul’s university gridiron career was established at St. Lawrence where he played three seasons for the senior Saints in the Eastern Ontario Athletic Association.
In the 1969 EOSSA Championship game against South Grenville Giants, Paul capped an outstanding effort on the defensive line when he intercepted a pass at midfield and ran it into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
In 1970, he was honoured at the Cornwall Lions Club Sports Award dinner with the Outstanding Football Player award.
After high school graduation, he was invited to the Ottawa Rough Riders High School camp. He impressed the Riders’ coaching staff and was one of just 10 high school grads offered football scholarships in the United States.
While playing at U of 0, Paul helped the Gee-Gees reach four Provincial finals and the coveted National Championship -the Vanier Cup -in 1975. The Gee-Gees defeated the University of Calgary Dinosaurs 14-9 in the title game, capping an undefeated season. As usual, Paul was the Gee-Gees defensive leader.
After graduating from U of 0, Paul returned to the University as an assistant coach for two seasons.