Bio

Born in St. Catherines, Ontario, Matt Anthony played Offensive End and was a member of the inaugural 1946 Montreal Alouettes team.  Anthony moved to Ottawa for 1947 and was named an East All-Star at End in that year.  He remained with Ottawa for 1948 before going West to play for the Regina Roughriders (the name change to Saskatchewan came a few years later).  Anthony won a West All-Star in his first season with Regina.  He returned to Ottawa in 1951 and helped the Eastern Rough Riders to beat his previous team (Saskatchewan) in the 1951 Grey Cup.  It was Anthony's second Grey Cup appearance, having been with Ottawa when they lost to Calgary in 1948.   He played two more years with Ottawa (1952-53) before retiring.  Anthony was described by former teammates as tough, hardworking and fair.

After retiring from playing, Anthony became involved in coaching, first at the university level with the Ottawa Gee-Gees for 15 years from 1954 to 1969 and later at the junior level with the Ottawa Sooners (1971).  His straightforward coaching style and analytical football mind propelled the Gee-Gees to seven league (OSLAA) and conference (CCIFC and OIFC) Championships and three undefeated seasons along with 11 of 14 Panda game wins.

In fifteen seasons Anthony is the most successful coach in the Gee-Gees history with 76 winning games and tied No.1 for most post-season wins with 7. Matt Anthony passed away on July 13, 2000. The University of Ottawa named a football practice facility after him, ensuring his name lives on as part of the campus.