The Laval Rouge et Or dominated at this year’s Vanier Cup — on home turf no less -— winning the Canadian Interuniversity Sport title for the second year in a row and completing a perfect 13-0 season. Laval took the title in a crushing 29-2 victory over the Calgary Dinos.


Following the team’s triumph, Laval quarterback Bruno Prud'homme told the Montreal Gazette that the Rouge et Or are “a dynasty.”


Beyond Laval’s six championships in the last 12 years, Laval’s football program is also known for its successful fundraising model, whereby the self-sufficient team is sustained by sponsors and ticket sales.


Those in charge of Carleton’s varsity football revival movement have said they want to model a Ravens program after that of Laval.


The three sub-committees working on bringing back the varsity squad — the  governance, funding and facilities committees — had planned to launch an official funding drive in time for this past weekend’s Vanier Cup.


Unfortunately, the three sub-committees weren’t quite ready as anticipated, said former Ravens offensive guard and president of the Old Crow Society Kevin McKerrow.


“It was a very ambitious goal,” McKerrow said. “We hoped to have all of our ducks in a row by [last] weekend.”


McKerrow said at this point the finance committee is just shy of $4 million in pledge commitments. The committee’s goal is to have secured $5 million in pledge commitments to support the program for the first five years. The long-term goal is to have a self-sustainable varsity program.


McKerrow said all committees are making considerable progress on preparing for a 2012 Ravens football squad.
For the Ravens to field a varsity team in the 2012 season, Carleton will have to submit its application to the Ontario University Athletics by May. McKerrow said the committees are definitely on track to meet the deadline.


The facilities committee meets Dec. 6 to review stadium plans in more detail, which include an expansion of the athletics building to accommodate football dressing rooms and upgrades to the Keith Harris Stadium stands.