From Toasts to Touchdowns: 47th Annual Montreal Reunion and Football Weekend

The 47th Annual Montreal Reunion Dinner brought together over 170 Old Boys, faculty, and guests for a night of tradition, connection, and celebration. Vice-President Brad White ’94 welcomed alumni spanning eight decades, from William Daly and Harry Siefert ’52 (73 years out) to recent graduates Julian Harroch and Pasquale Presti '24, Pre-U '25. Milestone classes from 1965 through 2025 were recognized, with the Class of 2015 turning out in record numbers, half the class in attendance.

The evening opened with the school hymn, followed by the Annual General Meeting, where the OBA highlighted its expanding global network of 3,500 Old Boys across 46 countries. Key achievements included successful chapter reunions, sports tournaments, volunteer contributions, philanthropic initiatives, and the 26th Annual Golf Tournament. The 2025–26 OBA Board was confirmed, with Brad White ’94 elected President and Kyam Shell-Schnitzer ’01 as Vice-President.

Headmaster Mike Downey reflected on Selwyn House’s growth, including a record enrollment of 607 students, the success of the Grade 12 Pre-U program, and participation in new athletic leagues. He also shared updates on campus expansion plans, endowment growth, and the school’s continued commitment to financial aid. A heartfelt tribute was paid to Sharon Cozens, Director of Advancement, who is retiring after 39 years of dedicated service to education, including twenty years at Selwyn House.

The evening’s toasts and tributes added warmth and history to the program. Bruce Gill ’65 offered a 60-year toast to Selwyn House and the OBA, reflecting on the school’s lasting impact: “Selwyn House offers good academics, good athletics and other activities, good relationships, and good values. These four, but the greatest of these are the relationships and the values.” Ben Spencer ’00 honoured his class’s 25th anniversary, while Jim McLean ’75 paid tribute to his classmates on their 50th, followed by Eric Stevenson ’75, who announced the creation of the new Class of 1975 Bursary.

The evening concluded with thanks to volunteers and staff, anniversary class photos, and a lively pub-style ending to the night.

The following day, the Selwyn House community, joined by many familiar faces from the previous night, gathered at the Westmount Athletic Grounds to cheer on the Varsity Football team as they faced Saint Andrew’s College, who had travelled from Aurora, ON, just north of Toronto, for the first conference CISAA game. Under clear, sunny skies, the tailgate atmosphere was in full swing, with a BBQ and snack station hosted by the always-wonderful Sodexo staff, adding to the excitement of the day.

A huge thank you to Ms. Joyce McCauley from the Argyle Shop for keeping our community proudly geared up, and to the CSSHL Hockey team for their energy in selling 50/50 raffle tickets, raising nearly $1000 for the Gryphon Fund. Most of all, thank you to everyone who came together to make this unforgettable weekend possible!