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 Percival Molson | |
| Profile | |
|---|---|
| Position | Running back |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1880-08-14)August 14, 1880 Cacouna, Quebec |
| Died | July 5, 1917(1917-07-05) (aged 36) Avion,France |
| Career information | |
| College | McGill University |
| Career history | |
| 1902–1906 | Montreal AAA Winged Wheelers |
Canadian Football Hall of Fame (Class of 1963) | |
CaptainPercival Talbot "Percy" Molson,MC (August 14, 1880 – July 5, 1917) was aCanadian star athlete and soldier. After an outstanding sports career withMcGill University, Molson joined its administration. Molson died fighting inWorld War I. In his will, he donated funds for McGill to build its football stadium, namedPercival Molson Memorial Stadium in his honour.[1]
AnAnglo-Quebecer, Molson was born in the resort community ofCacouna, Québec, on theSt. Lawrence River. He was the son of John ThomasMolson (1837–1910) and Jane (Jennie) Baker Butler (1850–1926). A gifted athlete, at the age of sixteen Percival Molson participated in several sports and as anice hockey player he was a member of theMontreal Victorias that won the1897 Stanley Cup championship.
While studying at McGill University, Percival Molson captained the hockey team, starred intrack and field competitions, played racquet sports, and made the football team. He was named McGill University's best "all-round athlete" three years in a row, a feat unmatched in the university's history. Throughout competitions in which he participated, he was acclaimed for his sense of fair play and achieved the remarkable distinction of never having been penalized for misconduct in any sport. In track and field he competed in several events including the Long Jump in which he set a world record at the American Athletics Meet in 1900. In 1903, he won the United States Outdoor Track and Field Long Jump championship. After Molson easily beat AmericanHarry Hillman at the 1903 Canadian Championships in the 400 meter race, it was thought he had a chance in that event at the1904 Summer Olympics inSt. Louis, Missouri. However, he finished well back in the field.[2]
After graduation in 1901, Percival Molson was appointed to his University's Board of Governors, the youngest person ever named to that position. While a McGill University Board member he served as the chair of its Finance and Stadium committees. The university authorised construction of a new stadium to be built inMacdonald Park at the corner of University and Pine Avenues. However, with the onset ofWorld War I, matters had to be delayed. Percival Molson along with George McDonald were instrumental in establishing the University Companies at McGill and other Canadian campuses to reinforcePrincess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Over a thousand men joined the Regiment through six University Companies. Many were subsequently commissioned from the ranks and went on to serve as officers in other Canadian and British units.
Captain Molson joined the Patricia's in the field with the 2nd University Company in October 1915. In June 1916, he was badly wounded in theBattle of Mount Sorrel at Sanctuary Wood nearHooge,West Flanders in Belgium. During horrific encounters with theGerman Army, where members of the1st,2nd and3rd Canadian Divisions suffered 8,430 casualties, Percival Molson received theMilitary Cross for his valour. After recovering from his wounds, he returned to the front lines with his Regiment (PPCLI) and on July 5, 1917, at the outskirts ofAvion,Pas-de-Calais nearVimy Ridge in France, Captain Percival Molson was killed by a direct hit from a Germanhowitzer.[3] Captain Molson is interred in the Villers Station Cemetery inVillers-au-Bois in Pas-de-Calais.[4]
In Percival Molson's will he left $75,000 to McGill University to help pay most of the costs for the construction of the stadium. Although it was officially dedicated as McGill Graduates' Stadium at an intercollegiate track meet on October 22, 1915, the Board of Governors of the university renamed the facilityPercival Molson Memorial Stadium on October 25, 1919, in honour of this fallen hero.
In 1996, Captain Percival Molson was an inaugural inductee to theMcGill University Sports Hall of Fame.
