All-canadian returns to Mount Alison

SACKVILLE – Mount Allison Mounties received some good news this week.
Mounties head coach Kelly Jeffrey confirmed that outstanding receiver/returner Gary Ross will return for his fifth and final season with the Atlantic University Sport football conference club in the fall.

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It has been unclear if Ross – a four-time all-Canadian and the heart and soul of the team – would be back for one more season.

The Windsor, Ont. native wasn’t recruited out of high school, but has turned out to be one of the best players to ever play at Mount Allison. He was named the AUS most valuable player and was a finalist for the Hec Crighton Trophy, presented to the outstanding player in Canadian Interuniversity Sport football, last season after breaking several school and conference records.

An all-star receiver and the AUS special teams player of the year in each of his four years with the Mounties, Ross is the conference career leader in receptions (172), receiving yards (2,582) and all-purpose yards (5,990 yards).

Ross led the AUS in receptions (60), receiving yards (818 yards), receiving touchdowns (4) and all-purpose yards (1,423) last season. He was the only player in the conference to average over 100 yards receiving per game and his 60 receptions set a new AUS single-season record. His 818 receiving yards set a new Mount Allison single-season school record and are the fourth highest total in AUS history.

Ross is also a multi-time academic all-Canadian during his time in Sackville.

“Gary is such a valuable piece because on any given play he can go all the way. He’s always a threat to score. He changes the game for us because he gives us better starting field possession because teams kick away from him,” Jeffrey said.

“His leadership is excellent. He organizes guys to go work out in the off-season and when guys aren’t working out, he’s the first one to call them out on that. His leadership can’t really be replaced. All the players respect him because he does the right thing on and off the field.”

Despite his success at Mount Allison, Ross has played in only two playoff games and both were losses. The Mounties went 0-8 and missed the AUS playoffs last season.

Photo: Times & Transcript
Published Thursday June 17th, 2010
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By Sean Hatchard
Times & Transcript Staff