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The Fighting Irish of Toronto: Sport and Irish Catholic Identity at St Michael's College, 1906–1916

The Protestant-controlled social, political and economic community in Toronto, Canada represented a formidable challenge for Irish Catholic immigrants. Eventually leaving Nationalist roots behind, by the early twentieth century, the Irish came to view themselves as Canadians who sought both community advancement and a role in shaping the new nation. In an effort to provide educational opportunities for young Irish Catholics, Father Henry Carr, a charismatic teacher and administrator, spearheaded a series of initiatives to revitalize St Michael's College. Recognizing the growing popularity of sport in Canada, Carr positioned athletics to play an important role in his community-building efforts. Ice hockey and football became anchors for the emergence of an athletic tradition at St Michael's, one which played on intense rivalries between the Protestant and Catholic communities while simultaneously furthering a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect, as sport was common ground for both groups. For Carr, sport could build character while invoking community pride among Irish Catholics, students and spectators alike. True to Father Carr's vision, a dominant athletic programme helped St Michael's make a name for itself, quickly and powerfully, facilitating the College's integration into Toronto's educational mainstream.