Stalwart Saints coach McGillis has retired

The 2023 OFSAA boys field lacrosse tournament marks the end of an era for one of its most successful coaches.

After 25 years, more than 400 games and 16 provincial medals, Rod McGillis coached his final game for the St. Peter Saints on Tuesday afternoon.

It came against the Thomas A. Stewart Griffins in the OFSAA sanctioned AAA fifth-place game and his opposition coach was Jeff Ralph, who played for him on his first Saints team to win a provincial gold medal in 2000.

In fact, Geoff McKinley, head coach of the Holy Cross Hurricanes who played for a bronze medal in the AA division, also played on that team. Ralph and McKinley are coOFSAA co-conveners.

McGillis coached players including Shawn and Scott Evans, Brad Self, Zach and Josh Currier and Josh Gillam. In addition to Ralph and McKinley, former players Aaron Clarke (Crestwood) and Jeff Mackie (Holy Cross) are also coaching high school lacrosse.

“It’s time,” said McGillis, 60. “Coaching lacrosse has been a labour of love and a tremendous experience for me personally.

“There’s something special about playing for your high school. I’ve been involved in hockey in the community but the high school lacrosse has been my anchor at St. Pete’s. I’m going to miss it but it’s been a lot of work. I tell the guys they keep me young.”

Seeing his former players now coaching is special for McGillis. Christ The King head coach Tim Stephenson was a Grade 9 student of his at Oshawa’s Monsignor John Pereyma where McGillis started teaching in 1992.

“I’m so proud of Jeff Ralph and Kinner (McKinley), seeing what they are doing with their schools,” said McGillis, pausing with a lump in his throat. “They’re amazing teachers and coaches.”

McGillis left his mark on both. “My last year of high school, we won OFSAA gold and I still have my St. Peter’s jersey at home,” Ralph said.

“That’s a great memory. Everyone loves Rod. He’s committed to the kids. he was a players’ coach and that’s what I loved about Rod. Rod has a lighter side to him but he also knows when it’s time to dial it in with the boys. he’s a good guy to be around. Always happy and upbeat and you feed off that.”

“Rod became a mentor,” said McKinley.

“He was my practicum teacher during my teacher’s college placement. We coached together for many years at St. Pete’s. He showed me the ropes and taught me stuff I could use, like you never hold kids back from opportunities and that there is something good in every kid and you have to coach each kid differently. You have to find what makes them tick. Those are things which have helped me.”

McGillis transferred to his alma mater, St. Peter, in 1997. He coached 23 seasons, while a work stoppage and COVID-19 resulted in the cancellation of three seasons, compiling a record of 342-79-5 including four provincial gold medals, 11 silver and one bronze.

The record includes a 7-6 win over the Griffins in his last game as they rallied from a 4-1 deficit.

Hayden Addison scored the tying and winning goals for the Saints and brother Geordy Addison made a game-saving stop in the final minute. Reed Chamberlain also scored twice for the Saints with singles to Brayden D’Innocenzo, Jared Martinell and Porter Martone. Lucas Moore and Colby Wood scored two goals each for TASSS. Kaleb Parkhurst and Vern O’Brien also scored.

The Griffins beat Neil McNeil, 9-7, in the morning with Wood and Moore leading with multiple goals each. The Saints beat St. Catharines Denis Morris, 11-9, rallying from a 7-4 deficit and ending the game with three unanswered goals. Chamberlain scored five goals with two each to Martone, Martinell and Hayden Addison.

Results from the OFSAA medal games were not available at press time.