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Legendary Windsor Lancers coach Gino Fracas passes away
The University of Windsor is saddened by the news that legendary
Lancer Football Head Coach Gino Fracas has passed away today. Coach
Fracas was 79 years old.
One of the most well known and well respected individuals in
Canadian Football history, Gino coached at the University of
Windsor for 19 years from 1968 to 1986 where he founded the Lancer
Football program.
Born on April 28, 1930, Fracas was an all-city halfback at
Assumption High School and helped lead them to a provincial
championship in 1948 and 1949.
From there, he went on to star at the University of Western Ontario
as a two way player and was selected as an all-star in 1952, 1953
and 1954. He also helped lead the Mustangs to back to back Yates
Cup championships in 1952 and 1953.
A first round draft choice of the Ottawa Roughriders in 1954, his
eight-year pro football career excelled with the Edmonton Eskimos
where he won two Grey Cups in 1955 and 1956. He was a team captain,
defensive signal caller and known for being one of the toughest
linebackers in the CFL.
Following his playing career, Gino went on to become the Head Coach
at the University of Alberta where he led the Golden Bears to three
league championships in four years. In 1963, his team won the
Golden Bowl as university national champions.
After returning to Windsor, he became the first ever Head Coach of
the University of Windsor Lancer Football program. He led the
Lancers to the CCIFC championship in 1969, an OUAA Championship in
1975 and he was the OUAA coach of the year in both 1976 and
1977.
For his all-around excellence on the football field, Coach Fracas
became an inaugural member of the OUA Football Legends Wall of Fame
as a player, coach and administrator. In addition, the CIS Football
Volunteer Coach of the Year is named in his honour.
In 1987, Gino also received the prestigious Football Canada/CFL
Award of Merit for outstanding lifetime contribution to football in
Canada. In all, he has been inducted into six different halls of
fame, including the University of Windsor Alumni Sports Hall of
Fame.
The Lancers recognized his tremendous contributions to the
university by naming the University of Windsor Coach of the Year
Award in his honour.
Here at the university, where he was also a professor, Gino was one
of the most well known figures both on campus and in the community.
In 1995, Gino retired after 28 successful years as a professor from
the Faculty of Human Kinetics.
Coach Fracas is survived by his wife Leona.
Source:
Elisa Mitton, Sports Information Officer, University of Windsor
