[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/collegebowl.jpg” caption=”The December 1, 1967 edition of The Silhouette, covering the 10-9 loss the Marauders suffered at the hands of Alberta at Toronto’s Varsity Stadium. This year will mark McMaster’s first appearance in a national football championship game since then. “]The last time the McMaster Marauders played in a national football championship, The Andy Griffith Show and Gunsmoke were popular television programs. Aretha Franklin, The Doors and Jimi Hendrix were on the radio. The Vietnam War was raging.

The Toronto Maple Leafs had just won their last Stanley Cup.

Still, Larry Button recalls details from the November 25, 1967 College Bowl game like it was played yesterday.

“It was cold as Hell,” said the humanities alumnus, who travelled to Toronto's Varsity
Stadium with friends from McMaster to watch the game. “Mac's ground game had been
going well and, by the end, we all expected them to kick a field goal and win the game.”

That did not happen and, after throwing a late interception, McMaster lost the match by a single point.

“It was such a disappointment,” said Button.

Marauders faithful hope this year's outcome will be a little different. Many have already taken up the invitation to send messages of support to the team through McMaster's Facebook page.

“Hard work and dedication has gotten you this far and will take you further,” wrote
Sumaiya Siddiqi. “All of McMaster is supporting you and we'll be at the game in spirit
cheering like we always do.”

“Bring home the Vanier. Kick some Rouge et Or butt!” wrote Brent Scowen.

Messages of support have come from students, staff, faculty and alumni, and from as
far away as Hong Kong.

Button, who graduated from McMaster in 1972 with a bachelor's degree in history and in
1973 with a master's degree, plans to gather with friends and family at a local pub or on
campus at Burridge Gym to watch the game.

He hopes to be joined by his brother, also a McMaster graduate, and his niece's
husband Claudio Silvestri, who played for and later served as assistant coach of the
Maraduers, eventually becoming head coach of Hamilton's St. Thomas More high
school football team.

Button hopes to celebrate a McMaster win, but cautions the team against starting out
the way it did against Acadia in Moncton.

“You just can't fall behind like that against a team like Laval,” he said. “As long as they
don't do that and they continue to play hard, they'll be alright.”