Rename of the Dunsmore Cup conference championship to honor esteemed Hall of Fame coach Jacques Dussault by RSEQ.

In a historic move, the RSEQ (Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec) has announced that the conference championship will now be known as the Jacques Dussault Cup. This decision honours the illustrious career and impact of Jacques Dussault, a Canadian Football Hall of Fame inductee and a pioneer in the sport.

Jacques Dussault, a native of Quebec, began his coaching career with the Montreal Concordes, serving as a defensive assistant for five seasons. His tenure with the Concordes saw two appearances in the RSEQ title games, but unfortunately, he fell to Laval on both occasions.

Dussault made history by becoming the first French-speaking coach in the Canadian Football League (CFL), a testament to his dedication to the sport. After a stint in the World League of Football with the Montreal Machine, he returned to the CFL with the Alouettes in 1997.

Following his time with the CFL, Dussault returned to the collegiate ranks, coaching at various institutions including Acadia, Mount Allison, and his alma mater, McGill University. In 2002, he made history again by serving as the first head coach of the Carabins.

The Jacques Dussault Cup, named in his honour, will stand as a symbol for the football community for generations to come. The new trophy will officially be unveiled on September 15, 2025, at a news conference on the eve of the conference championship in November.

The Dunsmore Cup, which served as the provincial trophy for Quebec after the Ontario teams split off, will no longer be used for the RSEQ conference championship. The Ontario teams split off from the Dunsmore Cup in an unspecified year, as Queen's University hasn't been in the same conference as the trophy since 2001.

The RSEQ CEO, Gustave Roel, stated that the Jacques Dussault Cup honours Dussault's dedication, leadership, and impact. Roel emphasized that the cup will serve as a reminder of Dussault's contributions to football in Quebec and beyond.

In addition, the RSEQ will issue a call for proposals to select an artist or design firm to create the Jacques Dussault Cup. The cup's design will undoubtedly reflect the prestige and significance of the event it represents.

Dussault's induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2023 and the Quebec Sports Hall of Fame in 2024 further solidifies his status as a football legend. His impact on the sport, both in Quebec and nationally, will continue to be felt for years to come.

The Jacques Dussault Cup marks a new era for the RSEQ conference championship, celebrating the life and career of a true football icon. The cup's unveiling will undoubtedly be a memorable moment in the history of Quebec football.