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September 15, 2011: Former CFL’er to Tackle Kilimanjaro for Charity

September 15, 2011 By

MEDIA RELEASE:

For immediate release: September 15, 2011

Former CFL’er to Tackle Kilimanjaro for Charity

He is co-holder of the CFL record for most special teams tackles in a game with seven.

This October, former linebacker Brendan Rogers will face an even more formidable opponent when he takes on Mount Kilimanjaro -the highest mountain in Africa.

The former Winnipeg Blue Bomber (1991-95), Toronto Argonaut (1996-98) and Saskatchewan Roughrider (1999) will be part of a 16 member team attempting to climb the 5,895 metre high Kilimanjaro to raise money for charity. Through Summits of Hope, a not-for-profit group that has raised in excess of $1.8 million over the past 10 years, Rogers will be raising funds for the study of brain injury and concussion for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. He hopes to raise at least $10,000.

“It’s for a great cause,” says Rogers. “These are everyday people who are out doing this – teachers, nurses, firemen, police officers, you name it. When we encounter adversity the stress we feel can erode our optimism, eventually convincing us that the issues we face cannot be overcome. In truth, there is no situation so dire, no challenge so great and no choice so bewildering that it cannot be overcome. I feel that is the essence of work that is done by BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.”

Rogers has been active with a variety of charitable organizations and foundations across Canada and is actively involved in efforts to improve the lot of former CFL players. He is a strong supporter of the CFL Alumni Association. Rogers has seen a number of his teammates pass away the last few years and is concerned about the long-term effects of brain injuries and concussions on former players.

This will be his second expedition with Summits of Hope. Last year Rogers was part of a team that climbed to the Mount Everest Base Camp.

The Kilimanjaro climb, up and down, should take between eight and nine days. In preparation for the fundraiser, Rogers has spent the past six months training, primarily improving his cardiovascular levels. “I’ve done various things in preparation for the climb,” he says. “Running up the stadium stairs with a weighted vest as well as a lot of hiking. There is a lot less oxygen at those heights so it is bound to have an effect. It will basically be one step at a time.”

“What I hope to get out of it is the sense of setting a goal and accomplishing it – and for those that support me, says Rogers. “It’s the same as being a professional athlete. You set your goals and hope to accomplish them. I am looking forward to watching the sun rise from the roof top of Africa. Hopefully I can inspire a few of the guys around the league to maybe take part next year.”

To donate or for more information on October’s Summits of Hope climb check out the web site at www.summitsofhope.com.

The CFL Alumni Association is committed to helping support research and awareness of concussion. The Association is also actively involved in the Canadian Sports Concussion Project at Krembil Neuroscience Center at Toronto Western Hospital. The research group is led by Dr. Charles Tator, Canada’s preeminent authority on sports concussion.

 

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March 29, 2011: CFL Alumni Team Up for Pro Kids

March 29, 2011 By

March 29, 2011:        CFL Alumni Team up for PRO Kids  

Former CFL greats, including a number of ex- Hamilton Tiger-Cats, are teaming up with the Saint John Wanderers to help organize the Pros for PRO Kids event in Saint John, New Brunswick from May 11th – 14th, 2011. The purpose of the event is to promote and aid in the development of football in southernNew Brunswick as well as to raise money for kids who are unable to afford to participate in athletics.

The PRO Kid’s camp will allow children to experience professional coaching first hand from between 10 and 15 Canadian football heroes.

The final day of the camp will be an exciting one for football in theprovinceofNew Brunswick. The localSaint John“Alpine” Wanderers of the Maritime Football League will be hosting the Ottawa Invaders from the Northern Football Conference inOntario.  The Invaders are coached by CTV Sports Anchor and Tiger-Cat’s Alumni, Ken Evraire.

Saint Johnfans will be in for a special treat thanks to Leo Ezerins, the Executive Director of The Canadian Football League Alumni Association, who has arranged forCanada’s oldest trophy, the Grey Cup, to be flown in for the festivities.  With the recent success of the CFL’s “TouchDown Atlantic” played inMoncton, the excitement surrounding the CFL is sure to continue with the avidSaint Johnfootball fans.

The goal is to raise a significant amount of money for the CFL Alumni Association and the organization “PRO Kid’s” in hopes of keeping kids in motion.  In the end, it is about the kid’s and the objective is to provide them with an unforgettable “Pro” experience as well as the funds to further their athletic careers.

Pros for PRO Kids Coaches include:

Angelo Mosca – a Canadian legend that played in the CFL from 1958-72. Mosca was drafted by the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles but decided to play in the CFL. He joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1958 and played for both Ottawa and Montreal before returning to the Tiger-Cats in 1963. He was a five-time all-star and played in 9 Grey Cups, more than any other player in CFL history. In 1987 he was named to the CFL Hall of Fame and would later be named # 37 of the Top 50 players of the league’s modern era by Canadian sports network TSN.

Leo Ezerins – nick-named “Leo the Lion” the Linebacker played 11 seasons in the CFL, five with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and six with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. In 1986 Ezerins was a part of the Tiger-Cats Grey Cup win over the Edmonton Eskimos. Ezerins is currently Executive Director of The Canadian Football League Alumni Association and was instrumental in bringing many of the legendary players as well as the Grey Cup toSaint John for the event.

Bruce Smith – Smith is a former Captain of the Toronto Argonauts, and was voted Defensive Player of the Year in 1979.  In 2004 he was voted one of the top 125Argos of all time. Smith won a Grey Cup ring as a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats but it is life after football where Smith has truly been an All Star.  In 1999, he became an ordained minister and is the pastor of Rock and River Congregation inMississauga and Chaplain of Upper Canada College’s Chaplain Service for Adults.

Less Browne – Browne played in the CFL for ten years, including stints with Hamilton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and B.C. Browne holds the CFL and pro records for most interceptions in a career with 87. He also holds the record for most interception return yards with 1,508. Browne played in four Grey Cup games (1985, 1986, 1990, and 1994), winning on three occassions. He was a six-time CFL All-Star, and was twice nominated for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award.

Mike Walker –Walker played 10 seasons in the CFL for the Hamilton-Tiger Cats and Edmonton Eskimos. He played in four Grey Cups, once withEdmonton and three times withHamilton, winning in 1986. As a coachWalker started out withWashingtonState and after 11 seasons began his coaching career in the CFL where he has coached the Toronto Argonauts, Edmonton Eskimos and is now the Defensive Line coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Rod Skillman – Skillman was a walk-on at The University of Missouri where he became a standout at Defensive Tackle.  After university he played in the USFL for the New Jersey Generals (1983–84).  Skillman played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for his entire eight year CFL career and was the Tiger-Cat’s Rookie of the year in 1984. Skillman retired from football and entered the banking business where he is still very successful today.

Tony Champion – Champion was a two time all-star in the CFL and played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for eight seasons (1985-92). He was a meber of the ’86 Grey Cup team and had 340 career receptions for 5,498 yards and 37 TD’s. In 1989 Champion was runner-up for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player Award and set a team season record for touchdowns with 15 on the year. Champion is best remembered for his last minute touchdown catch in the 1989 Grey Cup which tied the game.

Darin Burns – Burns is a retired CFL Defensive Lineman who played four seasons in the CFL withHamilton,Montreal andOttawa. He played junior football for the Burlington Braves where he won two Schenley Awards given as the top Defensive Lineman in the Country. He recently moved toMoncton, N.B. and came out of retirement in 2009 as a member of the Saint John Wanderers.

Jan Carinci – slotback who played ten seasons in the CFL found success early in his career winning the Grey Cup in 1983 while playing for the Toronto Argonauts.  After five seasons in Toronto Carinci joined the B.C. Lions where he played from 1986 to 1990. He was on the losing end of a Grey Cup to Winnipeg in 1988. He now resides with his family in Moncton, New Brunswick, and writes a sports column for the Times & Transcript newspaper and is involved with Touchdown Atlantic.  Atlantic Canadian football has flourished with the efforts Carinci has made.

Irv Daymond – a graduate of theUniversity ofWestern Ontario Daymond played on the offensive line along side Bill Lindsay. The Powerhouse Tandem was dubbed “The St. Thomas Titans.” After being drafted 53rd overall in 1984 by the B. C. Lions, Daymond would end up playing center for the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1986. He would provide exceptional protection and run support throughout his career and was very versatile. He is currently the offensive line coach for the Ottawa Invaders.

Ken Evraire – a slotback for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks from 1985 to 1988, Evraire was named three times to the OUA first all-star team and twice to the CIS First All-Canadian Team. Evraire played nine seasons in the Canadian Football League for the Ottawa Rough Riders, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders. Following his football career, Evraire worked until 2009 as a sports reporter in Ottawa and is currently the head coach of the Ottawa Invaders of the Northern Football Conference.

Ryan Walter – former NHL forward  who played several seasons for the Washington Capitals where he was the youngest team Captain in NHL history. He won a Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in 1986 and finished his career with the Vancouver Canucks.  After his playing career Walter found success as a colour commentator on TSN.   After TSN Walter went worked as a motivational speaker, author and leadership expert, using his experiences in hockey to relate to business and success. Ryan is now the National Women’s Hockey Team Head Coach for Team Canada. In September he led the team to Gold at the Four Nations Cup.

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February 2, 2011: Former CFL’ers Involved in U15 Youth Bowl

February 2, 2011 By

Former CFL’ers Involved in U15 Youth Bowl

By Brian Snelgrove

The vision of the CFL Alumni Association 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.

A great many of our Alumni are doing some great work in their communities. We would like to spread the word about these members. 


Although we do our best to find these nuggets of interest, invariably the best source is you.  So if you have any information about what some of the guys are up to please forward to the CFL Alumni Association, c/o Leo Ezerins, Executive Director,leo@cflalumni.org .

A number of CFL alumni played prominent roles in Canada’s victory over the US in the inaugural USA-Canada U15 Youth Bowl held earlier this month in San Antonio, Texas.

The Canadian squad, made up of players less than 15 years of age from across the country, prevailed in a thrilling 42-37 shoot-out against the favoured Americans. The game featured many of North America’s top U15 football players against each other in an all-star format.

Duane Butler, a former linebacker with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2001-02) and the Montreal Alouettes (2003-06), is on the Board of Directors for Football University of Canada who, in conjunction with Grassroots Prospects, were responsible for selecting the team. The two groups held combines in cities including Toronto, Hamilton, London, Montreal and Ottawa and worked with a number of scouts across the country to evaluate talent and select the Canadian team.

“I was surprised they won, but surprised in a very good way,” says Butler. “It started out shocking as the U.S. was up 21-7. But the Canadian team kept fighting and kept their composure. They were down three at half-time but came back in the second half. There was tremendous excitement the whole game. There were a lot of Canadian fans and it was awesome to see.”

“It is great to see these kids develop and I think you will definitely see some of these players at the university level.”

“I really think it bodes well for Canadian kids hoping to play in the CFL,” adds Butler. This will help develop them and hopefully give them that opportunity to play even at the CIS or NCAA level. It will also elevate the level of grassroots football in Canada. We really have just gotten started. As a CFL alumnus I have a huge passion for when our guys want to get involved. I will most definitely be a part of this again next year.”

One of the coaches of the Canadian squad was Len Antonini who is vice-president of Regina Minor Football (president of the association is former CFL player Kelly Hamiltonwho was with the Tiger-Cats from 1983-84). Antonini was referred to Butler by former CFL linebacker Carm Carteri who played in the league from 1979 to ’85. Carteri has done colour commentary on Saskatchewan Roughrider radio broadcasts for nearly two decades.

“It wasn’t awesome experience,” says Antonini, who was one of six Canadian coaches for the team. “We were all surprised at how big the whole youth football program is down there. I don’t think they gave us much of a chance when we fell behind early but we came back and the kids fought hard. It really shows that up to about Grade 8 we must be on a par with the American kids. It shows we are very close to them up to that level. We had to adjust to their rules and we played at a really high level.”

Malcolm Lee had three catches for the Canadians for 41 yards. His father Orville Leeplayed for the Ottawa Rough Riders from 1988-90, the Saskatchewan Roughriders (‘90 and ‘91) and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (’92). He is the last Canadian to lead the CFL in rushing when he had 1,075 yards for Ottawa in his rookie season. That year he was also named CFL rookie of the year.

“Malcolm went to the first camp in Vancouver where he qualified and got selected,” saysLee, whose other son Jamall is a running back with the BC Lions. “I went to the game as a father and a supporter and was fortunate enough to carry the Canadian flag in the opening ceremonies.”

“The game showed that there is a lot of talent here at home and the idea is to get some exposure against kids that are equal or maybe more talented. It was a really good game and great to see their morale against a benchmark. Absolutely it raises the expectation level and confidence level. Coaches will definitely look at our boys and opportunities will open up.”

“The perception has to change. The mindset has to change,” Lee adds. “You are an athlete, not a Canadian football player, you are a football player. It was good for the boys to have that type of success on such a huge stage.”

This was the first year for the U15 Bowl as part of the Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl and a huge win for Canadian youth football.

 

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