Celebrating 50 Years of Crescent Rugby

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Crescent’s rugby program, which Alan “Doc” Atkinson founded in 1976 during his first year as a faculty member. A former science teacher who served the School until his return to the UK in 1993, Atkinson returned to Crescent for a special jersey ceremony on May 7.

Five decades of Rugby alumni also returned to Crescent for the occasion. Along with Doc Atkinson, they presented the varsity rugby team with their game jerseys and Atkinson with a signed jersey of his own. 

Atkinson had only returned to Canada once since his departure in 1993, when he joined the community to celebrate the School’s centennial in 2013. His visit as a special guest this spring was especially meaningful to the community. “I'm so glad that they're doing fantastically well, and they’ve got themselves an Australian coach [James Trood],” says Atkinson. “I’m very proud of the legacy I’ve left behind.”

The celebration continued the next day with a memorable rugby Friday Night Lights. The players made Atkinson and hundreds of spectators proud when they donned their jerseys and faced St. Andrew’s College, emerging victorious with a final score of 36–7.