Bill Robinson, John Kehoe inducted into Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame

Saint Mary's University alumnus and football legend Bill Robinson (BComm'75), and former Huskies women's soccer coach John Kehoe, were inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023 in Halifax.

Bill Robinson (centre) receives his induction plaque at the 2023 Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Nov. 25, 2023 in Halifax, NS. (Photo by Nick Pearce / Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame)

Bill Robinson (BComm'75)

Bill Robinson played four years as the Huskies starting quarterback from 1970-1973, leading Saint Mary's to the first Vanier Cup in school history in 1973. Robinson was named AUFC Most Valuable Player three times (1971-73), the 1970 AUFC Rookie of the Year, and an AUFC All-Star in each of his four years (1970-73). Robinson quarterbacked the Huskies to three consecutive 8-0 seasons which resulted in AUFC league championships, and consistently led the AUFC in all passing categories.

After winning his second Vanier Cup with Western University in 1974, Robinson was a third-round draft pick of the Ottawa Rough Riders and was a member of the 1976 Grey Cup champion team. 

Outside of football, Bill has been a committed contributor to Saint Mary's University and the community. He was an assistant football coach and offensive coordinator for the Huskies from 1985 to 1994; member of the Alumni Association's Board of Directors; chaired the AUS Women's Basketball Championships for Saint Mary's and has assisted the men's basketball team with fund raising. He was a keen supporter of his two Huskie children, Kristi Jo (Basketball, B. Comm. 2001) and Billy (Football), never missing a game in which they played.

Robinson was inducted into the Saint Mary's Huskies Hall of Fame in 2004.

John Kehoe (second from left) receives his induction plaque at the 2023 Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Nov. 25, 2023 in Halifax, NS. (Photo by Nick Pearce / Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame)

John Kehoe

Dartmouth, NS resident John Kehoe was the driving force in the development of high-performance girl's and women's soccer in Nova Scotia from 1985 to 2015.

Kehoe coached the Saint Mary's Huskies women's soccer team for seven seasons from 2002-2008, including leading the team to the 2002 AUS Championship. Over his seven seasons as coach, the Huskies had a record of 42-23-25 (W-L-T)

Highlights of his coaching career include 11 provincial championships, 11 Atlantic championships, 13 appearances at national championships, a silver medal at the 1993 Canada Games, and a silver medal at the Canadian U16 Girls Soccer Championships (the first-ever medal for an Atlantic Girls squad at any age level). He played an integral role in the development of NS soccer legends Suzanne Muir, Suzanne Gerrior, Mary Beth Bowie and Cindy Tye.

You can watch the full 2023 Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame induction ceremony on YouTube

Photos courtesy Nick Pearce / Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame