For Laurier coach Michael Faulds, Vanier Cup title would be career-crowning achievement

When the first note of O Canada hits at Richardson Stadium in Kingston, Ont., ahead of the Vanier Cup on Saturday, Michael Faulds — like he does every other week — will close his eyes.

For the duration of the national anthem, the Laurier head coach plans to pause.

He may reflect on the week of preparation for the title game, or the undefeated season that led his Golden Hawks to this field at Queen's University.

Faulds may think back to the Yates Cup two weeks ago — a triumph over Western. He may look back at his last appearance in the Vanier Cup when he played quarterback for a Mustangs team that fell to Laval, which just so happens to be Laurier's opponent this week.

Perhaps, Faulds's mind at that moment will flash back to lining up for his first touch football team in Guelph, Ont., and instantly recognizing that he was destined to devote his life to the sport.

"For those 60 to 90 seconds, I'm going to soak it in and realize, 'we're here and we deserve to be here,' take a deep breath and go get it for three hours," Faulds said.

Faulds's Golden Hawks will meet the Laval Rouge et Or in the Vanier Cup — U Sports' national football title game — on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET. Live coverage will be available on CBC-TV, CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem. The Golden Hawks advanced with a convincing 48-24 victory over the Bishop's Gaiters in the Uteck Bowl last Saturday.

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Coronation on life devoted to football

Laurier, second in the season-ending U Sports rankings, won all 10 of its games in 2024, including a pair against Western. Laval finished third in the rankings at 7-1, with its lone loss against No. 1 Montreal — the defending national champion it proceeded beat in the Dunsmore Cup.

For Faulds, a victory would represent coronation on a life devoted to Canadian university football.

"The way the CFL has moved up the Grey Cup, it's officially the last football game in Canada, which is extra special. A lot of eyes are going to be on it," he said. "And no better opponent than the Laval Rouge et Or, who have won more Vanier Cups than any other program."

Faulds, 41, grew up in Guelph before heading to Western to play quarterback. He led the Mustangs to Yates Cup titles in 2007 and 2008, winning MVP of the conference championship game both times.

After the latter victory, Faulds's Western squad went all the way to the Vanier Cup but fell short in a 44-21 loss to Laval. He won OUA player of the year in his senior 2009 season and exited as Canadian university football's all-time passing yards leader.

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That's when a decision needed to be made to stay in football or search for a so-called real job.

"Coaching made a natural transition for me. I often wonder what I would be doing if I wasn't a football coach and I really can't think of anything," he said.

"I have a lot of friends that I played with, went to university with, that make a heck of a lot more money than I do, but I see them driving into work every day or hear them [complain] about their experiences with work. And for me, I've chosen a career where I don't consider it work."

Faulds spent three years as offensive co-ordinator at York University before stepping into his role at Laurier in 2013. He said he is often up before sunrise to work on game plans, but his immense work is a result of his love of the game.

Faulds, (3), pictured competing in the Yates Cup in 2008, was a star quarterback for the Western Mustangs during his playing days. (Dave Chidley/The Canadian Press)

Passion shines through

That passion shines through in his players, too. Unlike NCAA players on scholarships, student-athletes in Canada are there because they want to put in the work to play football.

"They keep you young, they're energetic. And you as a coach are no longer able to play, but you're living through their experiences. And that's what I find special about coaching," Faulds said.

One of those players is senior quarterback Taylor Elgersma, a London, Ont., native for whom the Yates Cup victory over Western may have been just as special.

Elgersma was named OUA conference MVP after leading U Sports in touchdowns (20), yards per game (330.4) and total passing yards (2,643).

He credited Faulds's leadership for his success.

"Having a head coach who supports me the way he does, who I know has trust in me, and that allows me to play free, I can't say enough good things about Faulds. I love him and I'm so thankful for him as my head coach," Elgersma said.

Laurier quarterback Taylor Elgersma, right, credits Faulds's guidance for his success. (Christian Bender/Laurier Athletics)

Faulds said he doesn't want his QB to change anything ahead of the Vanier Cup.

"Enjoy the moment — you're gonna remember it forever — but just play your game. He's the best player in the country for a reason. But he's also got so many weapons around him that he just needs to be a facilitator, execute at a high level, and he'll have no regrets," Faulds said.

It's the same message Faulds hopes to heed himself ahead of what could be the biggest game of a life devoted to Canadian university football.