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 Under the direction of Major Norm Burley, football commenced at Vancouver College in 1929. In those days it was know as Canadian Rules Rugby and the Fighting Irish of the day played games against local high schools such as Magee, Prince of Wales and even the UBC Freshmen.
In the early 1930's the team was not permitted to play in the city league and maintained a schedule against local club teams. In 1939, Brother Riley, the Athletic Director, introduced the boys to American rules football and they played their first game south of the border against O'Dea High School in Seattle. While the Irish came out on the short end of a 21-0 score, the game set the tone for what was to come.
In 1941, former All American Greg (Hardrock) Kabat came on the scene and commenced one of the many "Golden Era's" of Irish football. He was a tough taskmaster but attracted many outstanding athletes and was very successful in playing against American schools. Among his may stars in the 1940's was Ed Ryan, who after graduating from St. Mary's University in California went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL.
In 1955 Fred Owens took over as Head Coach and another "Golden Era" was born. The Irish dominated the teams they faced on both sides of the border. Under Owens from 1955-59 the team went 27-12-1 and produced future CFL players such as Roy Cameron, Pete Ohler, Paul Seale, Barney Therrien, Greg Findlay, and New York Yankee player, Bob Lasko. During the Owens era, the first Archbishops' Trophy game against Notre Dame was played in 1957. 2006 is the 50th such contest played, making it likely one of the longest running consecutive sports rivalries in BC High School Sports.
Former Vancouver College star, Cal Murphy (VC'50) took over the coaching reigns in 1960 and in 1961 led the Irish to its only undefeated season. Murphy would subsequently go on to be one of the most successful coaches in CFL history.
In 1981 College moved its home games to O'Hagan Field, named after the first graduated of the school, Jimmy O'Hagan (VC'25). In 1985, the "golden years" returned with Paul Dal Monte taking over as Head Coach. During his ten year tenure the Irish won two provincial championships and produced a number of outstanding players including CFL stars Bryan Chiu (Montreal Alouettes), Angus Reid (BC Lions), Sean Fleming (Edmonton Eskimos), Vince Danielsen (Calgary Stampeders), Sean Graham (BC Lions) to name but a few.
Under current Head Coach, Todd Bernett, the Varsity Irish have been to the championship finals on three occasions. A number of Vancouver College players have gone on to compete at the University level in both Canada and the US. Some were even drafted to play for teams in the Canadian Football League (Rob LeBlanc VC'01 was recently drafted by the Edmonton Eskimos marking the 40th Fighting Irish graduate to join the Canadian Football League).
Both the Grade 8 and Junior Varsity programs have had great success. The Junior Varsity program won the Provincial Championship in 2003 and the Grade 8 team has made the finals every year since 2000.
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