The Dalhousie Tigers - Dalhousie University

		The Villeneuve brothers had an undeniable impact on the success of the men’s volleyball program in the 1990’s. They both played five years with the Tigers, sharing the court for three of those seasons. Between them, they have four CIAU (CIS) medals, three CIAU (CIS) second team all-Canadian selections, 10 AUAA (AUS) titles, six AUAA (AUS) all-star nods, four Tigers volleyball team MVPs and two Dalhousie rookie of the year awards. Originally from Ottawa, Ontario Paul and Eric came to the Tigers after successful high school and provincial team careers. The oldest of the pair, Paul came to Dalhousie in 1989 after being heavily recruited by then-coach Al Scott. His real passion for volleyball developed in his grade 10 year at Colonel By Secondary School. Three years later, he led them to an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association (OFSAA) championship in grade 13. Paul was a three-year provincial team member and earned gold, silver and bronze medals at the national championships and a bronze at the 1989 Canada Games.
Paul (1989-94)	Eric (1991-95, 1996-97)

During his five years at Dalhousie, Paul helped lead the Tigers to five AUAA championship titles. The Dalhousie rookie of the year in the 1989-90 season, he went on to be a three-time AUAA all-star and was the conference player of the year in both the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons. A team captain and MVP for three seasons, he was instrumental in the Tigers bronze medal win at the 1993-94 CIAU championship where he was named to the tournament all-star team. A two-time CIAU second team all-Canadian, Paul received the Climo Award as Dalhousie’s male athlete of the year after the 1991-92 season.

Off the court, Paul was a member of the Varsity Council, the President’s Advisory Council on Athletics and volunteered with local organizations, earning him the inaugural CIAU Student-Athlete Community Service Award (formerly TSN Award) in the 1993-94 season. A Dean’s List student, he graduated with a Bachelor of Physical Education in 1994.

Two years after Paul came to campus, younger brother Eric came to Halifax in the fall of 1991 after successful high school and provincial team careers that were highlighted by an OFSAA championship in grade 11 and a bronze medal at the National Team Challenge Cup with Team Ontario in 1990. He chose Dalhousie after also being recruited by Tigers coach Al Scott and on the recommendation of his brother. Not one to live in the shadows, Eric made a name for himself early on in his volleyball career with the Tigers.

In his first season, Eric was named the AUAA and Dalhousie male rookie of the year. A three-time AUAA all-star, he earned four conference championships in his first four years at Dalhousie. A two-time AUAA championship MVP, he helped   the Tigers to back-to-back CIAU bronze medals in the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in History and French after four years with the Tigers.

After taking a year off, Eric would return for a fifth season, ending his volleyball career with the Tigers on a high note. Not only did he lead the Tigers to an AUAA championship, he also guided them to a silver medal at the CIAU championship that year, making him the only player in the program’s history to start on all three CIAU medal-winning teams. A CIAU tournament all-star and second team all-Canadian, he was the team’s co-MVP that year.

An Academic All-Canadian, Eric also made a substantial impact on the Dalhousie and surrounding communities, sitting on the Varsity Council, the President’s Advisory Council on Athletics and Dalhousie’s Honour Awards and Valedictorian selection committees while volunteering with the Canadian Cancer Society. He received the Dal President’s Award for excellence in athletics, academics, leadership and fair play at the end of the 1996-97 season in recognition of his efforts.

Both Paul and Eric have maintained their connection with the Tigers as assistant coaches. Eric was an assistant coach from 2000-04 while Paul was on staff during the 2009-10 season.

“Paul and Eric Villeneuve are both wonderful examples of the elite student-athletes of which Dalhousie University takes great pride,” says former head coach Al Scott. “Their achievements of excellence on the court, in the classroom and of community service are inspiring. Each played critical roles in guiding the Tigers to five conference titles and followed that up with national championship medal performances. Deservingly, there was a parallel plethora of individual recognitions for each at the conference, national and Dalhousie levels. It was Paul and Eric’s team leadership as captains that remains to this day as the most special remembrance of their proud time wearing the Black & Gold. It was such a pleasure to be their coach.”