Lionel (Red) Carriere
Sport: Football
Year Inducted: 2004
The son of a Cornwall fire chief, Lionel “Red” Carriere had his own knack for putting out fires on the gridiron.
Red, for the most part of a football career which took him through the high school, junior, and university ranks, operated from the linebacker position.
In 1967, after an outstanding high school career with the Saints at St. Lawrence High School, Red was recruited by the Dalhousie University Tigers of the Atlantic Conference.
He lived up to his advance billing, earning a starting position with the varsity squad in his rookie season.
In four solid seasons with the Tigers, Carriere not only established himself as one of the team’s top defensive players, but a team leader.
He served as co-captain, the same honour he wore with the Saints. Incredible, Carriere earned a football letter in each of his senior football seasons at St. Lawrence, and in each of his four seasons at Dalhousie.
In two of his four seasons at Dalhousie, the Tigers were ranked in Canada’s top 10, an honour he contributed to with his defensive play.
While with the Saints, Red was honoured with the Top Lineman award, and was co-winner of the school’s Top Athlete award, given to the Saint who combines outstanding leadership with ability.
On two occasions he was invited to the Ottawa Rough Riders scholarship camp.
He lasted the entire camp but was not one of 10 players from across the province awarded U.S. scholarships.
However, several Canadian universities were quick with invitations. For two summers – 1967 and 1968 – Carriere played for the Cornwall Mustangs of the Interprovincial Junior Football League coached by Ed Lumley.
After graduating from university, Red joined the Civil Service from which he retired in the summer of 2004.