Mike Lashuk Explained

Birth Date:9 December 1938
Birth Place:Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Death Place:Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lb:185
Status:Retired
Import:n
Position1:Fullback
Position2:Linebacker
Position3:Punter
Number:28
Amateur Title:AJFL
Amateur Team:Edmonton Huskies
Career Highlights:Led team in rushing 1962 for 802 yrds
Awards:Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy (1957)
Playing Years1:
Playing Team1:Edmonton Eskimos
Coaching Years1:1962–1963
Coaching Team1:Ross Sheppard High School
Coaching Years2:1964
Coaching Team2:Crescent Heights High School
Coaching Years3:1966
Coaching Team3:Edmonton Wildcats
Coaching Years4:1967
Coaching Team4:Henry Wise Wood High School
Coaching Years5:1968
Coaching Team5:University of Calgary (Asst.)
Coaching Years6:1969–1976
Coaching Team6:University of Calgary
Coaching Years7:1978–1982
Coaching Team7:University of Calgary

Michael Lashuk (December 9, 1938 – October 24, 2023) was a Canadian football player and coach. An fullback and linebacker, he played in the Canadian Football League for the Edmonton Eskimos from 1957 to 1963. He was head coach of the University of Calgary Dinosaurs football program for 13 seasons from 1969 to 1976 and 1978 to 1982, leading the team to its first conference championship and their inaugural appearance in the Vanier Cup.

Playing

A native of Edmonton, Lashuk was a star fullback at Victoria Composite High School and played for the Edmonton Huskies of the Alberta Junior Football League in 1956. He entered the professional ranks in 1957 as a linebacker and fullback for the Edmonton Eskimos. He won the Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy for Canadian rookie of the year in the west,[1] rushing for 164 yards and intercepting 2 passes.[2] He had 3 interceptions in 1958, 5 in 1959 and 4 in 1960. He rushed for 757 yards in 1961 and led the team with 802 rushing yards in 1962. He was the Eskimos' nominee for the Schenley Award in 1962. He only rushed for 70 yards in 1963, but intercepted two passes and punted the ball 41 times with an average of 38.9 yards per punt.[3] In 1964, Lashuk decided to accept a teach job in Calgary and did report to the Eskimos.[4] He attempted a comeback with Edmonton in 1965, but he retired during training camp.[5]

Coaching

Lashuk earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from the University of Alberta in 1960 and his master's degree from Southern Illinois University in 1967. After retiring, he coached at Ross Sheppard High School in Edmonton and Crescent Heights and Henry Wise Wood High Schools in Calgary, winning city championships in 1962 (Ross Sheppard) and 1964 (Crescent Heights). He also spent a season as the head coach of the Edmonton Wildcats and led them to the western junior final. In 1968, he became a lecturer and assistant football coach at the University of Calgary, where he worked under his former Huskies Dennis Kadatz.[6] Kadatz retired after the 1969 season to focus on his dutites as athletic director and Lashuk succeeded him as head coach.[7]

Lashuk was head coach of the Dinos from 1969 to 1976 and 1978 to 1982, with a record of 57–49. He led the team to its first conference championship and their inaugural appearance in the Vanier Cup in 1975.[8]

Lashuk died in Montreal on October 24, 2023, at the age of 84.[8]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.fanbase.com/Mike-Lashuk FANBASE entry : Mike Lashuk
  2. 1957 CFL record Book
  3. Web site: Mike Lashuk . Pro Football Archives . 28 September 2024.
  4. News: Briefs . 28 September 2024 . Saskatoon Star-Phoenix . December 31, 1964.
  5. News: Lashuk Abandons Comeback Trail . 28 September 2024 . Edmonton Journal . July 5, 1965.
  6. News: Dinosaurs Add Lashuk To Staff Of Coaches . 28 September 2024 . The Calgary Herald . May 4, 1968.
  7. News: Lashuk To Coach Dinnies . 28 September 2024 . The Calgary Herald . February 11, 1969.
  8. Web site: 2023-10-25 . Dinos mourn Mike Lashuk . 2023-10-26 . University of Calgary Athletics . en.