For many high school students, choosing a university can feel overwhelming. Just one more decision in a whirlwind of applications, deadlines, and uncertainty. But for some of us, the choice comes naturally. For me, that school was Wilfrid Laurier. From the moment I visited the campus, I felt it. The sense of community, the welcoming spirit, and the undeniable pride carried by generations of Laurier alumni. That same pride runs deeply in my family.
The photo here captures three men, two of them Wilfrid Laurier alumni and all of them passionate football players. On the left is my uncle Mike McMahon, who suited up for the Golden Hawks from 1966 to 1970. In the middle is my uncle Ed McMahon, who played from 1974 to 1977. Their legacy at Laurier is part of why I knew this place was for me, and I couldn’t be happier that I became a Golden Hawk.
The man on the right is my grandfather, Jim McMahon. Although he wasn’t a Golden Hawk, his Varsity Blues won the very first Vanier Cup in 1965. He, like his brothers, carried a lifelong passion for football. For the McMahons, the game was never just about the scoreboard; it was about family and brotherhood. That bond carried from Port Credit High School, where all three brothers were all-stars, to the university fields where they each made their mark.
Mike’s legacy at Laurier is one of leadership and firsts. He became the program’s first-ever All-Canadian in 1969, a three-time team captain, and a provincial most valuable player. He helped Laurier capture two provincial championships and, decades later, was named captain of Laurier’s “Team of the
Century.” He was inducted into the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1987, later returned as a coach, and remained a lifelong supporter of the program. Laurier Athletics described him best after his passing in 2022: “Mike left a legacy at Laurier through his contributions and dedication as a former student-athlete, coach, and Golden Hawks Hall of Fame inductee. He will truly be missed.”
Ed, too, carried that Golden Hawk pride long after his own playing years. As a linebacker, he wore number 52, just one number away from Jim (53) and Mike (54). After graduating, he went on to serve as president of the Laurier Letterman’s Club and received the award for “Person Contributing the Most to Athletics.” But when he reflects, it isn’t the stats or trophies that stand out most. “Laurier football meant everything to me as a 19 to 22-year-old,” Ed says. “My teammates were not teammates, we were brothers, and we fought hard in every game as we tried to be the number one team in the country.”
That sense of brotherhood is the heart of Laurier football. It’s what makes Homecoming so special. Every fall, Laurier alumni return not just to watch a game, but to reconnect with teammates who became family. For Ed, who still hasn’t missed a Homecoming game, the weekend is about reliving that bond. For current students like me, it’s about seeing firsthand the pride that carries across generations.
Homecoming is more than purple and gold parades or cheering from the bleachers. It’s about the way Laurier pulls people back together. Graduates, current students, faculty, and families, to remind us of what it means to belong here. It’s about celebrating legacies like Mike’s, honouring contributions like Ed’s, and embracing the community that makes Laurier feel like home. For my family, that tradition is deeply personal. It’s the stories I grew up hearing, the pride I saw in my uncles’ voices, and the reason I felt instantly at home when I first stepped onto campus. For others, it’s the lifelong friendships, the unforgettable games, and the shared sense of belonging.
Homecoming isn’t just a celebration of football; it’s a celebration of family. Both the one you’re born into and the one you find at Laurier. And that’s why, for my family and so many others, we will forever be Golden Hawks. For the love of the game, and the love of Wilfrid Laurier University.
