Wall of Distinction
NICK ARAKGI
B.B.A. ‘79
Football, Hockey
Nick was a two sport athlete during his two year tenure at Bishop’s. It was on the gridiron, however, where he made his mark. In his second year the tight end experienced a remarkable year as Nick was selected as the Gaiters’ Most Valuable Player as well as receiving the Sid Hart Trophy as the top Male Athlete of the Year at Bishop’s. That same year he was selected to the CIAU All-Canadian team and represented Team Canada in the 1979 Can-Am Bowl in Tampa, Florida.
Nick’s size and strength was a valuable addittion to the basketball team where Nick distinguished himself as a rebounder. Nick was a member of the 1977-78 QUAA conference championship team that participated at the National Championship in Halifax, N.S.
After graduation from Bishop’s Nick enjoyed an exceptional nine year career in the Canadian Football League, eight of them with his hometown Montreal Alouettes. He was the team’s Special Team Player of the Year on two occasions in 1979 and 1980. Nick was selected to the Eastern Division all-star team in 1982,1984 and 1985.
In 1984 he was selected to the CFL all-star team and was the recipient of the Eastern Division Outstanding Canadian Award. He capped off an extraordinary year by being named the Schenley Award winner as the CFL’s Outstanding Canadian Player. In 1987 he added the Tom Pate Memorial Award for Outstanding Sportsmanship to his long list of achievements.
Statistically, Nick finished his illustrious pro career with 370 receptions, 27 touchdowns and 4,865 receiving yards.
