The Montreal Alouettes mourn the passing of legendary Bruce Coulter, former Alouettes player and university coach, who died on Tuesday, at the age of 90.
Coulter shined for ten seasons on the field with the Alouettes as a defensive back and backup quarterback, not missing a single start. He debuted his professional career in 1948 and helped the Alouettes win their first ever Grey Cup the following season. He helped the team reach three other Grey Cup games.
“The Alouettes have lost a family member and all of our thoughts are with the Coulter family during these difficult times,” declared Alouettes President and CEO Patrick Boivin. “Mister Coulter left his mark on our organization, by helping the team win in the early stages of its existence, but also on university sports in Quebec and Canada. He guided many young men on the field, but also shaped their lives outside the chalked lines, and that is most likely his greatest legacy.”
Following his playing career, the Toronto, ON native shined as a coach at the Canadian university level. First off, he joined the McGill University Redmen in 1958, leading the team to a league title (Yates Cup) and national title (Churchill Bowl) in 1960.
In 1962, he joined the Bishop’s University Gaiters, staying on for the next 29 seasons. He stepped down as the winning est coach in Canadian University Football history with a record of 137-80-2. The Gaiters renamed their field after him in 1991. The Alouettes held training camp at Coulter Field from 2010 to 2017.
Every year, one of the Vanier Cup’s most outstanding players receives the Bruce Coulter award. He was inducted into the builders’ category of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
As a tribute for his illustrious career, the Alouettes will observe a moment of silence in honour of Coulter on Saturday, prior to the team’s game.
