YORKTON - The name Ed Magis of Yorkton is synonymous with football. The Yorkton Regional High School recently inducted Coach Magis into their Hall of Fame.
Magis was instrumental in bringing football back to the school in 1957, and served as their long-time coach until 1992. Multiple championships were won under his leadership.
Magis said in a June 19 phone call with the Yorkton newspaper, “I started the Gridders in 1957, and I am a proud founder. The team had no name so I gave them the original name, the Gridders.”
Under this football coach’s leadership, the team won a provincial championship in their first year, 1957, for six-man football. Championships continued in six-man, eight-man, nine-man and 12-man football championships.
The last year Magis coached the Yorkton High School football team was in 1992, in the 12-man program.
“The reason we rose to 12-man from 6-man was because it was a good league and kept enlarging playoffs so the province followed us.” Magis affirms there is still a strong football program in the community, run by former Gridders.
Magis’ back ground had him coming from St. Francis Xavier in Nova Scotia, playing for the Regina Dales, then for Notre Dame College. He started football in Kamsack and played in Melville.
While Magis found it hard to pin point his biggest highlight or success story in his coaching years he does say winning the 12-man championship was one of the best. His fond recollection of his football resume could’ve easily branched into numerous other stories, which is indicative of the role he played, his love of the game, the memories made and cherished, and the success stories that were part of his career.
The Yorkton High School announced Ed’s induction at their annual football windup and his picture will be erected in the Hall of Fame there.
Magis acknowledges, “This induction feels nice because it recognizes Gridder teams that won all the championships I was part of. It is not an individual award but a team recognition.” The coach says he still goes to watch some of the games.
Magis earned other accolades in his years as an individual and as part of the exceptional teams he was part of. He fondly reflected on an article written in 1987 about being honoured by the Saskatchewan Roughriders for his role with high school football. Magis also received recognition from Saskatchewan Sport.
In addition to his football coaching and mentoring role he was the incentive behind the pass, punt and kick competition.
Magis exemplified the motto, ‘Teamwork makes the dream work’ citing an example from his years as bench boss, “I like doing a personal interview because what’s important comes out. I was proud that the players on our teams were all very close and I stressed that. In fact, one year at practise a few of the really good players thought they had control of the team so I sent these few players to go out on the field which astounded them as it wasn’t a full line. It was an example to remind them that even if you’re the best, you need all the other players and no player can play successfully without them.’
The Yorkton Sport Hall of Fame previously inducted Magis as a builder for football, noting that he volunteered thousands of hours over the years so young men could pursue the game. Coach Magis led his team to four provincial titles, making him the only high school football coach in the province to win titles in 6-man, 8-man and 12-man competition divisions.
Coach Magis also assisted the football program at Scared Heart High School and was instrumental in forming a minor flag football league in Yorkton.
Because of his dedication to the sport, Magis was appointed Sask. High School Football All Star three times.
The interview showcased the continued passion Magis has for the game of football, the memories he made while playing football and coaching football which were large part of his life. His admiration for not only the players he worked with but the community who supported him and the team was clearly evident.
