Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics

Eric Vivian attended Lenoir-Rhyne in the mid-1960's and was the first Bear athlete to hail from Canada.  A four-year starter in football, Vivian was selected all-conference three times at three different positions - as a fullback in '64, a defensive tackle in '65 and a defensive end in '66.  He was named Most Improved Player in 1964 and was named All-District 26 in 1966 as well as honorable mention All-American and All-Lutheran. Vivian was also the 1966 recepient of the Lee Kirby 'Team Before Self' Award.  Vivian was a fine student and received the team Academic Award three times as well as serving on the Student Court and being chosen to Who's Who in Colleges and Universities in 1966. In 1967, Vivian signed a contract with the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League but a preseason knee injury cut his career short.  Vivian served as a social worker in Ottawa, Ontario from 1967-70 before joining Lapointe Fish, Ltd., and became owner and vice president.