Print Newsletter - Canadian Football League Alumni Association

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The Official Newsletter Of The CFL Alumni Association. Publisher. Robert Thompson. Art Director. James T. Mitchell. Senior Vice-President. Robert Thompson.
INAUGURAL ISSUE FALL 2011

ALUMNI UPDATE The Official Newsletter Of The CFL Alumni Association

INSIDE Yesterday’s Heroes: Keeping our Legends Alive CFLAA Update

PM#40787580

From the President

www.cflaa.ca

The Canadian Football League Alumni Association (CFLAA/LCFAA) MISSION:

“The Canadian Football League Alumni Association unites former CFL players in support of sport- and youth-related charitable causes, to offer support to former players experiencing financial or medical hardship, and the promotion of football in the community.”

VISION:

“The CFLAA’s vision is to support the League in fostering a lifelong relationship between the Canadian Football League and its alumni, providing support to its community and the larger community it serves.”

VALUES:

In carrying out its mission, the CFLAA values community, tradition, support, connection, fellowship, and service.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES: 1. Adopt practices and projects to become a financially sustainable organization. 2. Assist identified alumni and football-related projects to raise funds and awareness with the primary goal to raise money for the Dire Needs Fund and for research on the long term health impact of playing football. 3. Work with partners to promote the CFL tradition, brand and its teams as well as to support education and awareness of football to alumni, youth, fans, and to the community. 4. Provide services and benefits, and a framework for communication of best practices, to, from, and between the CFLAA and club alumni associations. 5. Provide good governance and management for the Association.

Please contact: Leo Ezerins, Executive Director, Canadian Football League Alumni Association (CFLAA) Tel: 905-464-0007 * Toll free: 1-877-890-7272 * Email: [email protected]

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The Official Newsletter Of The CFL Alumni Association

CONTENTS The Official Newsletter Of The CFL Alumni Association

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Message From The President

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Yesterday’s Heroes

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CFLAA Update

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The Montreal Alouettes Alumni Association

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Hamilton Tiger-Cats Alumni Association

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BC Lions Alumni Association Foundation

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CFL Atlantic Alumni Association

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Calgary Stampeder Alumni Association

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Edmonton Eskimo Alumni Association

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The Saskatchewan Roughrider Alumni Association

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Toronto Argonauts Alumni Association

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Winnipeg Blue Bomber Alumni Association

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CFL Ottawa Alumni Association

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Publisher Robert Thompson Art Director James T. Mitchell Senior Vice-President Robert Thompson Branch Manager Nancie Privé

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All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the association. Publication Mail Agreement #40787580

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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

CANA D I A N F O OT B A L L L E AG U E ATLAN T I C A LU M N I A S S O C I AT I O N

Hector Pothier, President CFL Alumni Association

CFL ATLANTIC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Black

T

he CFL Alumni Association is in its third year. Our information is shared with you through your local alumni board member on the CFLAA Board or perhaps you have kept in touch with the CFLAA webpage to check on developments and activities that are ongoing which has made you aware of the activities that the various clubs are involved with. Our Alumni Associations are sharing information about the variety of events and activities that are defining each Association in their respective cities. Each time the CFLAA Board teleconferences we become aware of the planning and success various events in each city have. This allows us to enhance our own similar projects or perhaps plan events similar to those that other Alumni Associations have demonstrated success in. It is important to remember that any organization, especially one that attempts to focus the participating members from cities all around Canada and the USA, is only as strong and effective as the membership that takes part in each city. Every local alumni organization needs an active membership that assists and participates in the various events and activities that will ensure the membership feels satisfied with the results. Be a member that is actively assisting in the planning and execution of an event to ensure success of your local Alumni Association. If many took turns or shared in the planning for the various programs the workload would not seem so onerous. Communication is always the number one issue

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The Official Newsletter Of The CFL Alumni Association

organizations identify, and almost every board I have ever participated in has identified this area as one needing improvement. Someday one of us will make our fortune creating that APP that simplifies the process. Please pass on the information about the CFLAA to the members you meet with during the month. Gold 136

Our Dire Needs Fund efforts are ongoing. The DNF Board is defining the parameters that will guide the aid package we can deliver. As the DNF Board develops and emerges with a defined philosophy, direction, and focus, it is important to engage our Alumni partners, the CFL Clubs and the CFLPA, in the discussions to build this fund to self-sustaining levels. Hopefully, all will recognize the important role this fund can play in assisting those of our membership that might unfortunately fall upon difficult times. Within the next few weeks we will all gather at the Grey Cup to celebrate our annual championship. If you know you will be attending, please inform us through the website, so we can inform you of events we will be facilitating and wishing you to participate in on behalf of the CFLAA. We will also list you on the website, and hopefully entice others to attend, and advise you as to where your registration package can be picked up, to receive your identification tags and event tickets. The Grey Cup Celebration is always a good time to renew friendships and we all look forward to meeting one another at this event.

YESTERDAY’S HEROES

KEEPING OUR LEGENDS ALIVE

T

hough their playing days may have ended, many former CFL players have gone on to make their mark off the field as well – in a variety of roles throughout the Canadian Football League.

Former players are currently involved in a number of key positions including coaching, scouting, player personnel, and in other front office opportunities away from the gridiron. Below is a breakdown of former CFL players and their current positions within the Canadian Football League.

Montreal

Calgary

Uzooma Okeke Football Operations Assistant/Scout Montreal, Ottawa, Shreveport

John Forzani Chairman Calgary

Scott Milanovich Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach/ Assistant Head Coach Calgary

Bob Viccars Executive Member Calgary

Marcus Brady Receivers Coach Toronto, Hamilton, Montreal

Toronto

Lyle Bauer President/COO Winnipeg John Hufnagel Head Coach/General Manager Calgary, Saskatchewan, Winnipeg

Orlondo Steinauer Defensive Coordinator Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto

Dave Dickenson Offensive Coordinator Calgary, BC

Mike O’Shea Special Teams Coordinator Toronto, Hamilton

Ezzrett “Sugarfoot” Anderson Account Executive Calgary

Marcus Crandell Offensive Coordinator Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatchewan Mark Nelson Linebackers Calgary, Saskatchewan Tim Prinsen Offensive Line Coach Edmonton, Hamilton

BC Wally Buono GM/Head Coach Montreal Jacques Chapdelaine Offensive Coordinator BC, Montreal, Hamilton, Calgary Kelly Bates Offensive Assistant BC, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, Edmonton

Stephen McAdoo Offensive Line Coach Shreveport

Edmonton

Michael “Pinball” Clemons Toronto

Kavis Reed, Head Coach Edmonton

Mark Washington Defensive Backs Coach Montreal, BC

Nick Volpe Consultant, Football Operations Toronto

Ed Hervey Head Scout Edmonton

Barron Miles Defensive/Player Personnel Assistant BC, Montreal

Continued on the next page

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YESTERDAY’S HEROES Travis Moore Receivers Coach Calgary, Saskatchewan

Kyle Walters Special Teams Coordinator Hamilton

Danny McMannus Head U.S. Scout Cal, Edm, Wpg, Ham

Chuck McMann Special Teams Coordinator/ Running Backs Coach Montreal

Khari Jones Hamilton Offensive Coordinator Winnipeg

Saskatchewan

Jamie Taras Director Community Relations BC

Hamilton

Steve Barrato Offensive Line Coach Ottawa

Richie Hall Defensive Coordinator Sask, Cal

Tim Kearse Receivers Coach Saskatchewan

Don Sweet Kicking Coach/Consultant BC Lions

Mike Walker Defensive Line Coach Ham, Edm

Rick Worman Running Backs Coach Sask, Edm, Calgary

Winnipeg Bob Cameron Board of Directors Winnipeg

Jim Hopson President/CEO Sask

John Kropke Defensive Line Wpg, Ott, Sask

Trevor Kennerd Board of Directors Winnipeg

Steve Mazurak VP Sales/Marketing Saskatchewan

Bob O’Billovich General Manager Ottawa

Joe Poplawski Board of Directors Winnipeg Markus Howell Defensive/Special Teams Assistant Winnipeg/Calgary

Jeremy O’Day Football Operations Coordinator Toronto, Sask

Joe Womack AGM, Dir Player Personnel Wpg, Calgary

We apologize if we have missed any former players currently working in the CFL. If you know of any other players now working with a CFL club please send the information to [email protected] and we will update this list.

Canadian House of Heroes Grey Cup 2011 Celebration FrIdAy, NOvEmbEr 25

11 am – 2 pm Coast Coal Harbour Hotel 1180 West Hastings Street

Join over 50 of the CFL’s greatest players for an entertaining luncheon in support of the CFL Alumni Dire Needs Fund and Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Foundation.

CFL HALL OF FAmErS ATTENdINg: Norm Fieldgate, Lui Passaglia, Angelo Mosca, Tony Gabriel, Joe Poplawski, Michael “Pinball” Clemons, Danny McManus, John Helton and more!

TICKETS ONSALE NOW: www.cflalumni.ca

www.canadianhouseofheroes.ca

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Hosted by comedian ron James of CbC’s the ron James show.

TRIVIA Q&A

1. Who holds the record for most passing yards in a Grey Cup game? Sam Etcheverry, Montreal, 508 yards,1955

CFL ALumNI LEgENdS LuNCHEON

CFLAA UPDATE

 eo Ezerins L Executive Director CFL Alumni Association

To fellow CFL Alumni and friends:

A

s Executive Director of the CFLAA I am honoured and pleased to be writing an article for our first CFL Alumni newsletter.

• T  he CFLPA also made a financial contribution and we have formed a great working relationship with them

I would also like to extend a special thank-you to Robert Thompson, Argo Alumni member, and Senior VicePresident of MediaEdge Publishing Inc. and his team, as well as our friend and long-time CFL supporter Brian Snelgrove, for their collective work on this project and for their donation of time and resources.

• C  FL Alumni Dire Needs Fund Board of Directors has been formed to administer and managed to oversee the process of requests for financial support

Now down to business.

TRIVIA Q&A

2. Four players are tied for the record for most field goals in a Grey Cup with six. Can you name them?

This is your newsletter. We welcome and value your input and suggestions and will work hard to ensure that the newsletter reflects your opinions and objectives. We hope it will be informative, relevant and meaningful. I would like to take this opportunity to update you on some of our major activities and accomplishments over the past few months: • T  he CFL has provided initial and continued funding as approved by the CFL Board of Governors. We would not have been able to proceed without the League’s support for which we are most grateful.

• W  e have major sponsorships with Nissan Canada, Herbal Magic, Gibson’s Finest, Molson’s, and LUE42 Enterprises. Nissan has also been a generous contributor through the Nissan Foundation of Canada. • C  FL Alumni Celebrity Slow Pitch Challenge – Between 15-20 members played in over 20 games coast to coast • CFLAA is a founding Committee Member of the Canadian Sports Concussion Project – chaired by Dr. Charles Tator at Toronto Western Hospital’s Krembil Neuroscience Center • C  anadian House of Heroes – partnership formed with the Princess Patricia Light Infantry to raise funds for both organizations, CFLAA Dire Needs Fund and military families

Continued on the next page

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Don Sweet (Montreal 1977) Paul Osbaldiston (Hamilton 1986) Sean Fleming (Edmonton 1993) Paul McCallum (BC 2006)

CFLAA UPDATE CONTINUED

• T  he CFLPA included our member Alumni in a Career Their Transition program

CFL Alumni Man of the Year Award:

• N  egotiated a “family pricing” agreement with Nissan for the purchase of new vehicles.

2010 – Bayne Norrie, Edmonton

For more information please visit our website www.cflaa.ca. CFLAA will continue to work together with the local Alumni Associations and will always be mindful that our purpose is to enhance the operations of the local Association. We have been able to cooperatively present a number of major events that included: We Support Our Troops – (recognition of the most deserving soldier of the 3PPCLI, Edmonton Garrison) a partnership between Edmonton Eskimo Alumni, Edmonton Eskimo Football Club, and CFLAA.

2009 – Sam “The Rifle” Etcheverry, Montreal 2011 – Norm Fieldgate, BC CFL Alumni Legends Luncheon – Grey Cups in Calgary, Edmonton, and Montreal NOTE: The CFL Alumni and local Alumni shared the roles and responsibilities of each event with our local Alumni Association. The events have generated net proceeds of over $60,000 to the CFL Dire Needs Fund and over $20,000 to local amateur football through its member associations. The issue of concussion in football and sport has received a great deal of media attention and has been an important

objective. We have worked jointly with the CFL, CFLPA, Football Canada, and CIS Football to help create awareness and provide feedback on we can make the changes required in our game to address potential long-term physical and cognitive challenges. Through our membership, four of our former players, which include, Jay Roberts (Founding member of the CFLAA), Peter Ribbins, Tony Proudfoot, and Bobby Kuntz have donated their brains for research as part of the Canadian Sports Concussion project. If you are interested in making a financial donation or a donation of your brain please follow the links on our website. We hope you enjoy this inaugural CFLAA newsletter and look forward to hearing from you down the road. Let’s keep ‘er going!

CFL Alumni Legends Lunch / Canadian House of Heroes Sponsors

MECHANICAL INSULATION & FIRESTOPPING

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The Official Newsletter Of The CFL Alumni Association

MEMBERS UPDATE

The Montreal Alouettes Alumni Association The Montreal Alouettes Alumni executive have worked diligently in recent years to create a vibrant organization, bringing together the many eras of Alouettes’ football. The tireless work and ambitious goals of President Éric Lapointe with the support of his executive board has produced a steady growth in membership and profile throughout the football community in Quebec. The Alouettes Alumni’s success is best exemplified by the growth of its annual golf tournament, the creation

of an annual poker tournament and its continuing support of amateur athletes by its generous donations to FIDA, le Fonds d’investissement et de développement athlétique. This year, the Alouettes Alumni donated more than $25,000 to support amateur athletes at the national, collegiate and international levels. In 2009, the Alouettes Alumni Association created The Tony Proudfoot Impact Award, a tribute to Tony’s contributions to football and the community.

create an organization that makes our members proud. We try each year to find another way to get them involved, hosting game-day parties and social evenings that essentially serve as reunions. Lapointe is supported by a board of Vice President, Philippe Girard; and executive members, Sebastien Roy, Louis-Philippe Dorais, Richard Blais, Bruno Heppell, Dave Supleve, Etienne Boulay, Annie Larouche and Matthieu Proulx.

Our objective is rather simple; to

Hamilton Tiger-Cats Alumni Association Greetings from the “Hammer.” The Hamilton Tiger-Cats Alumni Association was started in the mid 1980s. Seventy-five former players elected Reg Wheeler, Bob Krouse, Ed Chalupka and first president, Len Chandler, to draw up a constitution that today’s executive is proud to represent. The premise was to continue to give back to the community in a meaningful way. The objectives of HTCAA have always been to support former players, provide guidance to current players, fellowship, fundraising initiatives for local charities and local amateur football. We are honoured to support the Hamilton Multiple Sclerosis Society, Hamilton Food Share and Camp Maple Leaf as well as amateur football programs from Tyke to University in the Hamilton area. We have over

150 active members and strive to stay connected through newsletters, social media and events. The Hamilton Tiger-Cat Alumni Association has had great success with the launch of its website in June 2010. Originally created to be an information resource for alumni on events, activities, membership information and recruitment, the site has transformed into a historical resource for Tiger-Cat football.   Among the features for alumni is a “Then & Now” section where players can record the memories of their playing career and current information. It also provides a great informational and promotional resource for many of its fundraising activities such as their Golf Tournament, Food Drive and Wall of Honour dinner.  

Some of the historical features include an all-time club roster and photos of all Tiger-Cat Canadian Black Football Hall of Fame inductees, Wall of Honour honourees and Walk of Fame members. It also features a photo record of all team playing cards and many other historical photos of helmets, jerseys and rings. There is also a player photo Gold 136 archive and newly created video section.   The site originally funded by the Alumni Association is now self-sufficient and profit making through various advertisers and sponsors. Considered primarily a static site, it has received over 25,000 visitors and 60,000 page views since its inception 16 months ago. The Alumni Association considers this a great success and looks forward to its continued growth. You can visit the site at www.htcaa.ca.

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BC Lions Alumni Association Foundation Since its incorporation in 1985, the BC Lion’s Alumni Association Foundation’s mandate has been to support local community and charitable organizations through various annual fund raising initiatives. For almost three decades we have proudly sponsored many organizations in the community such as BC Minor football, Canucks for Kids, Raise a Reader, and Big Sisters, to name just a few. Recently our organization has focused its fundraising efforts to support the development of a local Endowment Fund. This fund will act as a resource

for former players and their families in the community that need assistance and support through medical or financial hardship. Events such as the Annual BC Lions Alumni Golf Tournament, the sale of limited edition prints during home games, and the proceeds of various raffles contribute to the fund. Our organization is proud of the positive role its members have played and continue to play in communities throughout British Columbia. As the host city of the 2011 Grey Cup Game we look forward to welcoming

CFL and its fans from across Canada to Vancouver for what promises to be one of the biggest celebrations ever. Sincerely, Don Taylor 2011 President BC Lions Alumni Association Foundation For more information about the BC Lions Alumni contact Margo Johnston, Assistant to the BC Lions Alumni Association Foundation at [email protected], Tel: 778-279-3801 Fax: 778-279-5170

CANADIAN HOUSE OF HEROES GREY CUP 2012 CELEBRATIONS FORT YORK ARMOURY Toronto, Ontario 10

The Official Newsletter Of The CFL Alumni Association

CFL Atlantic Alumni Association The fledgling CFL Atlantic Alumni Association began in 2010 and exists to provide former CFL players living in Atlantic Canada with the opportunity to get together once a year to raise funds and awareness for minor football.

committee exists to design and imple-

The CFLAAA operates one golf tournament a year coinciding with the CFL’s Touchdown Atlantic game played in Moncton, New Brunswick. A

the golf tournament and communi-

TRIVIA Q&A

ment the tournament that is chaired by former CFL player Jan Carinci, who is also the CFLAAA’s only executive member. His role is to lead the development of cate with any former players living in Atlantic Canada with updates about the golf tournament.

C A N A D I A N F O OT B A L L L E AG U E AT L A N T I C A LU M N I A S S O C I AT I O N

The two tournaments that the CFLAAA have organized so far have raised more than $60,000 for the Moncton CFL ATLA N T I C A LU M N I A S S O C I AT I O N Football Association and contributed to the CFL Alumni Association’s Dire Needs Fund in each of the two years. The CFLAAA does not at this time encourage any membership fees nor does it charge any of the former CFL players that participate in the annual golf tournament any expense to do so.

3. Who holds the record for most career touchdowns scored in the Grey Cup? Damon Allen with six The Canadian Football League Alumni Association (CFLAA/LCFAA) Magazine is proudly sponsored by

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Calgary Stampeder Alumni Association The Calgary Stampeder Alumni Association was established in the fall of 1975. Currently, our database consists of 320 alumni of which over a 100 reside in the Calgary area. Our vision is to have the Association foster friendships, camaraderie and networking among our CFL peers. Our mission is to promote the game of football, lead by example and inspire today’s youth through positive role models. We also strive to involve our alumni in hands-on community service by raising funds for charitable causes. Our members annually conduct youth football skill camps for local athletes, coach minor football teams, play in many fundraising hockey games, as well participate in a number of Southern Alberta Golf Tournaments in support of local charities. In addition, we provide speakers for numerous sports banquets & events and oversee the Wall of Fame at McMahon Stadium.

The Calgary Stampeder Alumni Charity Foundation started in 1997 when then owner of the football club, Sig Gutsche, donated the proceeds of a golf tournament to set up the foundation. The Alumni Association became actively involved in 1999. Today there is $511,190.61 in capital managed by the Calgary Foundation generating interest which is invested back into the community on an annual basis.

The Stampeder Alumni Board of Directors presently consists of:

The Stampeder Alumni Association has recently made a commitment to the Calgary Shouldice Field Enhancement project by donating $200,000 over the next 10 years. The Shouldice Fields project involves the installation of three artificial turf fields, clubhouse and scoreboard at

Vice President - Srecko Zizakovic Directors - Matt Finlay, Jackie Kellogg, Jay McNeil Coordinator/Treasurer - Linda Orr

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LIFE, CRITICAL ILLNESS, DISABILITY, EMPLOYEE BENEFITS & SEG. FUNDS

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The Official Newsletter Of The CFL Alumni Association

The Association’s most prominent fundraising event is the annual Charity Golf Tournament. Over the past 22 years the Stampeder Alumni Association Golf Tournament has donated close to one million dollars to the Calgary Children’s Foundation, Calgary Amateur Football Association and the Calgary Stampeder Alumni Charitable Foundation. Our most recent project is the launch of the first ever Calgary Stampeder Alumni Association website. The website will be launched in November 2011 and it will be a work in progress as we build bios and profiles on our alumni members. It will also be used as a vehicle for our members to stay connected with one another. We are continually working to enhance our Association and our involvement in the community. We are currently in the process of planning two new initiatives for 2012, a fundraising Casino Night and an Annual Dinner.

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TRIVIA Q&A

4. Who was named Outstanding Canadian in the Grey Cup three times in a fiveyear span (1991, ‘92 and 95)? Dave Sapunjis, SB Calgary Stampeders

President - Rocco Romano

The Calgary Stampeder Alumni Charity Foundation is a non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors, with funds managed by the Calgary Foundation. All donations and gifts are tax deductible. Under the guidelines as set forth by the Calgary Foundation, our mission is to disburse funds to as many needy youth-oriented charities as possible.

Shouldice Athletic Park. This project has increased access and opportunities for amateur sport, enhanced player safety and extended the season of play.

Edmonton Eskimo Alumni Association The Edmonton Eskimo Alumni Association continues to work in the community assisting our fans with appearances at Golf Tournaments or as speakers at fundraisers. Our Community fund recently met to advise the EEAA Board of our recommendations for the allotment of funds to charities for which we annually budget. $18,000 will be donated to various charities this year. Two members, Larry Wruck and Sean Fleming, have joined the Wall of Honour at Commonwealth Stadium and were to be announced at the EE Club’s Annual Dinner/ Fundraiser at the Shaw Conference Centre on Tuesday, October 25th. Congratulations to both of them. At halftime of the Thanksgiving Game with Saskatchewan on Monday,

October 10, both players were honoured and added to the wall with a ceremony at midfield. Our Annual Family Barbecue was held at the Kinsmen Centre in the River Valley. A great lunch was shared by approximately 50 members and their families. Our Igloo Room at Commonwealth Stadium continues to be our central meeting place and recently we purchased new tables and chairs to augment the bar tables and chairs we had purchased a few years ago. These new additions enhance the look of the room. As well, we have updated and placed a President’s plaque in the room identifying those members and the years they served as President of the Alumni.

We also added “Decade” pictures of all Eskimo teams since the EE tradition began. While there are still a few hiccups to overcome, hopefully all our teams will be represented by the end of the year. We are looking at the purchase of a wall collage mural for our west wall of the room which will incorporate both still and action pictures from all eras. We hope to have this project finished by the end of the season. Ed Jones is the President of the EE Alumni Association. Ed took over the reins at our AGM last spring. Hector Pothier Secretary EE Alumni Association

The Saskatchewan Roughrider Alumni Association The Saskatchewan Roughrider Alumni Association has had a distinguished list of past presidents which include Bill Baker, Carm Carteri, Bob Poley and Scott Redl to name a few. A new executive was brought in at the close of the 2010 season. The 2011 objectives were clear; to grow our membership to over 50 retired players in 2011 and over 100 in 2012; to continue to grow our support of Regina Minor Football, Saskatoon Hilltops, and Regina Thunder; and to look to re-establish and refurbish the current alumni lounge in Mosaic Stadium. In 2008 the Rider Alumni welcomed George Reed back to Regina as he began a new position with the

Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation. In 2011 we welcomed back fellow Rider great Don Narcisse who took a position with Rock Bridge Realty. Early in the year the Rider Alumni elected to add the Hope 21 Fund to our list of charities to be the recipient of funds from the Rider Golf Classic. The Hope 21 Fund was founded after the tragic loss of Rob Ford, son of Rider alumnus Allan Ford. The golf classic was in jeopardy of being cancelled after Saskatchewan suffered flooding which left significant damage across the province. However, the event was rescheduled in early September and was one of the best days of the year. For the first time in Rider Alumni history, Magna Electric Corporation

proudly supported the Rider Golf Classic as a significant title sponsor and is excited about continuing for years to come. President Kerry Heidt has been quoted as stating, “the Rider Alumni is the thread that bonds this community.” The Saskatchewan Roughrider Alumni Association is always looking to connect with past alumnus. Please contact the Rider Football Club and get involved with a strong association that has an exciting future. Yours In Rider Football, Brooks Findlay President Saskatchewan Roughriders Alumni Association

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Toronto Argonauts Alumni Association Toronto Argonauts Alumni

Toronto Argonauts Alumni

Association continues to encourage

Association Golf Tournament

Association Board of Directors 2012

and promote football, provide for the

For more than 14 years, the asso-

recreation of the members, and to

ciation has held a golf tournament

At its recent Annual General Meeting,

promote and afford an opportunity

that is intended to provide alumni

the

for social activities, support charitable

an opportunity to get together with

Association

organizations, promote the heritage of

old teammates.

alumni to its Board of Directors for the

the Toronto Argonauts Football Club

held at Eagle Ridge Golf Club; one

2012 season:

and Member Clubs in the Canadian

of ClubLink’s finest courses in the

Canadian

Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The tour-

Steve Ackroyd

Football

Football League and the Canadian

nament is sold-out within weeks of

Football Hall of Fame & Museum,

being announced, making it a terrific

and advance its relationship with the

success year after year. Additionally,

community at large through commu-

a portion of the net proceeds go to

nity-based initiatives.

support charitable organizations in

Paul Markle

the GTA.

Peter Martin, President

Toronto Argonauts Alumni

Al McLean

The

Toronto

The

Argonauts

League,

Toronto

the

Alumni

Argonauts

Alumni

Association enjoys an excellent rela-

The tournament is

Toronto

Argonauts

elected

Fred Dunbar Dan Ferrone, Vice-President

Association Annual Reunion

Toronto

Club.

The first Annual Toronto Argonauts

working

Alumni Association Reunion was held

Dave Raimey

in partnership on various initiatives

in April 2011, at Royal Woodbine Golf

including club and association events,

Gerry Sternberg

Course. The purpose was to provide

community

league

an annual social event that will provide

This

relationship

events.

Football involves

initiatives

and

The association is thrilled

alumni the opportunity to mingle with

and excited to be part of the team as

other teammates, develop networ-

the Toronto Argonauts Football Club

king opportunities and connect with

prepares to host the 100th Grey Cup,

team officials. Many alumni attended

Canada’s largest and longest annual

making

sporting tradition as it returns to the city

Planning is underway for the second

of Toronto, the place it all began and

Annual Toronto Argonauts Alumni

where 46 Grey Cups have been held.

Association Reunion.

TRIVIA Q&A

it

a

great

Alumni following

Stacey Coray, Secretary/Treasurer

tionship and partnership with the Argonauts

the

Bert Novis

Bill Symons Robert Thompson Nick Volpe David Watkins

achievement.

5. Which CFL team was the first to form an Alumni Association? Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1962

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The Official Newsletter Of The CFL Alumni Association

Winnipeg Blue Bomber Alumni Association The mandate of the Winnipeg Blue Bomber Alumni is to promote worthwhile causes in Manitoba, assist in the development of amateur football, and preserve and enhance the heritage of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Canadian Football League. Our membership includes former Blue Bomber players from as far back as the 1940s and all the way through the decades to present day. Our membership also includes, and is open to, past Blue Bomber coaches, football operations and front office staff, cheer team members, directors and even some media. We are thrilled to have a longstanding, mutually beneficial partnership with the Winnipeg Football Club. Thanks to the Club’s ongoing support, and the dedication and hard work of our past and current executive members, the Winnipeg Blue

Bomber Alumni Association continues to grow and thrive.

through donations and personal appearances by our members.

Each year in August, we are proud to host the Manitoba Lotteries - Blue Bomber Alumni Golf Classic. The tournament provides a casual opportunity for fun and fellowship among our members and their friends and associates, while at the same time raising funds for the Think First Foundation of Manitoba, to aid in educating youth on the prevention of head and spinal cord injuries. This year’s Golf Classic was held on August 17 at one of Manitoba’s premier golf clubs, Pine Ridge, and was a resounding success.

The President of the Winnipeg Blue Bomber Alumni Association is Dave Vankoughnett, and the Coordinator is Cathy Garski. Our VP position is currently vacant. Past President Joe Poplawski is our representative on the Executive of the CFL Alumni Association.

Our membership reaches far into the communities in which we live. In addition to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, we also support a wide variety of worthwhile charities and causes,

For more information about the Winnipeg Blue Bomber Alumni Association, please email us at [email protected], check our website at www.bomberalumni.com or look for us on Facebook or Twitter. Prepared by: Cathy Garski Coordinator, Winnipeg Blue Bomber Alumni

CFL Ottawa Alumni Association Here in the nation’s capital our CFL Ottawa Alumni Association (formerly the Ottawa Rough Rider Alumni Association) has been in somewhat of a holding pattern since the collapse of the Ottawa Renegades franchise. We have a dedicated core group of alumni who we refer to as our steering committee. It has been their responsibility to administer the membership, run our annual golf tournament for alumni and friends, and attempt to maintain both a local and national presence. Primarily our challenges over the past few years have been in the area of just making sure we continue to exist. Locally, over these past few years,

we have been providing support in a variety of ways to the Ottawa Sports & Entertainment Group (OSEG) as they work towards bringing the CFL back to Ottawa in 2014. Their plans for Lansdowne Park, that have been approved by City Council, include a completely new south side stands, a renovated north side stands, residential housing, retail shops and entertainment components. OSEG refers to the project as Lansdowne Live, the intent of which is to revitalize the century old Lansdowne Park acreage situated on the Rideau Canal in the heart of the city. Our annual golf tournament continues to draw in excess of 50 alumni each year from all over

Ontario, Quebec and even New York State. It provides a great day for the retelling of old stories and the reconnecting of team mates and friends. On the national stage we have also been very proud to have been involved, from the beginning, in the formation of the new national CFL Alumni Association along with the other eight local alumni associations. In its few short years the CFLAA has accomplished many great things and we look forward to being able to continue our membership as we await the return of the CFL to Ottawa in the not too distant future. Please contact Jeff Avery

The Official Newsletter Of The CFL Alumni Association

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hen the CFL Alumni association was formed three years ago during Grey Cup week in Montreal, part of its mission statement was to be able “to offer support to former players experiencing financial or medical hardships”. This was the grass roots beginnings of the CFLAA Dire Needs Fund (DNF). The CFLAA subsequently ran fund raising events during the following two Grey Cups in Calgary & Edmonton. As well, a few of our local alumni associations also initiated fund raisers at their home games in support of the DNF. While this was going on in more of the public view, a lot of ground work had to be done behind the scenes to ensure a sound administrative base that will enable the DNF to be successful for the long term. By the end of 2010 the CFLAA had set up the Dire Needs Fund as a separate entity and a DNF Board was in the process of being formed from interested volunteers most of which are alumni themselves. The DNF Board also has enlisted the aid of legal and medical professionals to provide their expertise in a supporting role when required. We have an application for assistance in place that is undergoing a constant review to best streamline the process from the applicant’s point of view. From the Board’s perspective we are also working towards having a more efficient and completely private review process to consider applications for assistance when received. The DNF Board is also working through the process to hopefully provide ourselves the best opportunity to attain a charitable status. Most recently we have been adjusting some of our focus to fund raising projects. Obviously without substantial assets on account our ability to actually provide the needed assistance is going to be greatly limited. To that end there will be ongoing fund raising events on both local and national scales, planned giving opportunities through life insurance being promoted and many more efforts being made to reach our final goal of having a perpetual Dire Needs Fund in place. More information on these and other DNF efforts will shortly be available on the CFLAA’s website. Jeff Avery Co Chair – CFLAA Dire Needs Fund

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