Hurley had been played by Mount Allison students from the 1840s [1] to the 1890s [2], and is considered to be a precursor to hockey. It was played outdoors throughout the year, in winter with or without skates.[3] The leather-covered ball used in the game was described by one student from the 1840s as being like "a very ugly missile about one's shins." [4] Despite the velocity at which the ball could be hit, hurley was more of a recreational activity than a competitive sport.
Another account of hurley is provided by William Seaman, a student of the University between 1884 and 1889. On 18 November 1887 he wrote the following to his sister Jennie:
"The skating in Sackville is elegant. I was out today for the first time. About thirty of us, more or less were up to Ogden's mill pond this afternoon and we had a jolly time for two or three hours playing hurley and whirling around to our heart's satisfaction." [5]
[1] Mount Allison University Archives, Amos Purdy fonds, accession 0105/6, letter from Amos Purdy to his father, David Purdy, Wallace, N.S., Thurs. Feb. 11, 1847
[2] Mount Allison University Archives, William Seaman fonds, accession 9114/2/63, letter from William Seaman [to sister Jennie], Nov. 18, 1887
[3] Argosy, vol. XXXIX, no. 5, Feb. 1913, "The Old Sackville Academy, By an Old Boy," [author is unidentified], p. 262
[4] Argosy, vol. XXXIX, no. 5, Feb. 1913, "The Old Sackville Academy, By an Old Boy," [author is unidentified], p. 262
[5] Mount Allison University Archives, William Seaman fonds, accession 9114/2/63, letter from William Seaman [to sister Jennie], Nov. 18, 1887