Under Head Coach Frank Smith, the 1986 UBC Thunderbirds went undefeated in the regular season, outscoring Canada West opponents 237–82.
After a dominant 49–3 victory over the Calgary Dinos in the Canada West Championship, UBC defeated Bishop’s Gaiters 32–30 in the Churchill Bowl to advance to the Vanier Cup. There, they captured UBC’s second National Championship with a thrilling 25–23 win over the Western Ontario Mustangs.
Highlights of the 1986 season include:
- 9 Canada West All-Stars
- 3 First-Team All-Canadians (Jack Beetstra, Mark Norman, Leo Groenewegen)
- Mark Norman: Hec Crighton Trophy finalist and President’s Trophy winner
- 12 players went on to CFL careers (Mike Bellefontaine, Matt Clarke, Terry Cochrane, Ron Crick, Dwayne Derban, Massimo Geremia, Leo Groenewegen, Rob Moretto, Tom Munro, Mark Norman, Matt Pearce, Rae Robirtis)
The members of the team are:
- Terry Ainge
- Bill Barber
- Jack Beetstra
- Mike Bellefontaine
- Doug Bryson
- Carey Bymoen
- Kevin Clarke
- Matt Clarke
- Terry Cochrane
- Ron Crick
- Chris Cunningham
- Joe Danieli
- James Dawson
- Lee Deibert
- Dwayne Derban
- Chris Dobrovolny
- Ken Dodd
- Clayton Doige
- Peter Espig
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- Jordan Gagner
- Massimo Geremia
- Mac Gordon
- Vince Gorman
- Leo Groenewegen
- David Groves
- Wayne Harvey
- Mike Hooker
- Richard Howlett
- Ron Huryn
- Al Jones
- John Kadla
- Craig Keller
- Roald Kovacik
- Tony Kristopaitis
- Jordan Leith
- Bill Long
- Tyler Lorenz
- Bruce McDonald
- Ivan Miller
- David Moen
- Rob Moretto
- Tom Munro
- Mark Norman
- Sean Orr
- Matt Pearce
- Mark Petros
- George Petrovas
- Eric Putoto
- Rae Robirtis
- Rob Ros
- Mike Shields
- Doug Shorman
- Doug Spencer
- Tom Vlasic
- Frank Smith (head coach)
- Bob Laycoe (defensive coordinator)
- Assistant coaches:
- Jerry Parr
- Dave Easley
- Joe Gluska
