Wallace (Wally) Barrie
Sport: Football
Year Inducted: 1982
In 1960, McGill University won its first Canadian Inter-Collegiate Football Championship in 24 years and the anchor of the defensive team and Inter-Collegiate All-Star was Wally Barrie.
There were quotes from the Montreal Gazette, 07 November 1960, “Wally Barrie’s kicking was one of the highlights of the game for McGill. He averaged over 40 yards and boomed a couple over 60 yards.” Coach Bruce Coulter was quoted as saying: “Wally Barrie is definitely pro linebacker material.”
Wally started his football career at St. Lawrence High School in 1953 just at the time the school was becoming a football power in Eastern Ontario Secondary School Association competition. He played wing back and was the kicker on the team that was EOSSA finalists in 1954.
In 1955, St. Lawrence High School were finalists again. This powerhouse won its first EOSSA Championship.
Following his brilliant career at St. Lawrence, Barrie went to McGill where he immediately became a star with that college’s freshman team. He and another Cornwall football star and Hall of Famer, Earle Blackadder became known as the “Gold Dust Twins” from Cornwall. Their outstanding abilities were recognized to the extent that McGill scouts immediately converged on Cornwall.
With the Redmen, Wally developed into a top-notch linebacker, fullback and kicker. His outstanding play caused him to be rated Top Defensive Star and Best Tackler on the Championship team of 1960. Upon graduation, Barrie was a second round draft choice by the CFL Hamilton Tiger Cats but through an earlier deal was owed to Edmonton Eskimos. He signed a contract with Edmonton and played the exhibition season. However, having graduated in Engineering he chose security over the uncertainty and hazards of a football career.
Wally was also a first string basketball player during his years at St. Lawrence. The team won the EOSSA title in 1956. Wally also has a City League Championship to his credit as a member of the Canadian Tire Team.