Gary Brooks first attended Sheridan in the school of Business in 1975 and ultimately graduated in the Court and Tribunal Course in 1997.
Gary was an All-Star cornerback, on Coach Bernie Custis’ 3rd and 4th Ontario Championship teams and went on to spend some time with the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the CFL. He helped lead the team in those years to the Eastern Canadian Football Championships as well.
He was a quarterback out of high school but brought great athleticism and was converted to a defensive back under Coach Custis’ keen eye for position talent.
Gary was rugged and versatile and teamed with another All-Star and Hall of Fame member, Steve Ackroyd. Teams would play away from Gary’s side of the field only to face Ackroyd on the other.
A highlight of Gary’s career was the last minute dramatic performance in Montreal in 1975 at snow bound McGill Stadium. Down 10-7, it was an Ed Skrlj to Gary Brooks completion that changed the day and “Brooksie” would see his one offensive play of the year turn golden. He took Skrlj’s long throw in stride between 2 defenders and with a brief, heart stopping stumble, he stepped to an electrifying 71 yard touchdown to down the John Abbott Islanders to win the Eastern Canadian Championship.
Gary carried on his excellent play in the next year as Sheridan once again defeated John Abbott, this time on the Bruins home field. He was a consistent standout on defence, who could raise his level of play in the moments of tough games that football provides.
Gary Brooks was named Sheridan Sun’s most newsworthy athlete during his tenure as a Bruin.