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January 26, 2012: Blue Bombers mourn the passing of Grey Cup Champion Doug MacIver

January 29, 2012 By

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 26, 2012

WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Football Club would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the family of former Blue Bomber Doug MacIver, who passed away earlier this morning.

MacIver played on the defensive line for the Blue Bombers from 1982-1984 after spending the previous six seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts.  He recorded seven sacks as a Blue Bomber and was part of the 1984 Grey Cup Championship team.  MacIver attended the University of Manitoba before embarking on his CFL career.

 

 

Filed Under: 2012 Media Releases, Media Releases Tagged With:

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.

 

Filed Under: 2011 Media Releases, Media Releases Tagged With: ,

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.

Filed Under: 2011 Media Releases, Media Releases Tagged With:

October 11, 2010: CFL Alumni Attend Gaudaur Trophy Unveiling

October 11, 2010 By

By Brian Snelgrove

A number of former CFL greats were on hand recently for the unveiling of the new Jake Gaudaur Veteran’s Trophy.

Zeke O’Connor, Russ Jackson, Angelo Mosca, Matt Dunigan, Granville Liggins, Mike Eben, Brad Elberg, Stace Coray, Bob Bronk and Leo Ezerins were among those in attendance for the historic announcement.

The winner of the inaugural award – to be given each year to a CFL player who best demonstrates the attributes shared by Canada’s veterans – will be announced for the first time this November.

The trophy was announced on behalf of Veterans Affairs Canada and the CFL.at the Moss Park Armouries in Toronto. Members of the Gaudaur family, veterans, as well as representatives from the Canadian Armed Forces were also part of the ceremony.

“Number one, the purpose of the award is to honour a great person in Jake Gaudaur who gave a big chunk of his life to the CFL,” says Commissioner Mark Cohon. “There is also an unbelievable bond between our players and the military. This is a great way of honouring our players as well as the veterans.” The winner will be selected by a five-member panel. “Discipline, comraderie and community involvement,” Cohon says. “We are looking for someone who shows the same characteristics as the veterans.”

Zeke O’Connor (1952-53), who scored the game-winning touchdown for the Toronto Argonauts in the 1952 Grey Cup, first met Jake Gaudaur in “1953 or ’54.” “He was a terrific person,” says O’Connor. “We had some wonderful times together. He had a great love for the Canadian game and he worked hard to grow and preserve the wonderful heritage of the Canadian game. He would be so happy about this trophy. He was a very proud Canadian and was very proud of his service. We should be hanging on to these traditions we should all be proud of.”

“He was a great guy,” says former Ottawa Rough Rider quarterback Russ Jackson (1958-69), who also knew Gaudaur for more than 50 years. “He was always up front and was always a CFL supporter. All the positions he held, that was his life. It was something he loved doing.”

“I think the trophy in his honour is great,” adds Jackson, a Hall of Famer and three-time Schenley Award winner as the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player. “With Jake’s background there is a natural tie-in and with what is going on in the world today there is a natural connection between the players and the veterans.”

“He was the commisioner my first two years in the league,” says Hall of Fame quarterback Matt Dunigan (1983-96). “I was just a young player trying to make my way. I look back now and this whole process has been very enlightening in establishing this honour for Jake and how much he meant to the league. It is a tribute to the man and his dedication to the league and to the service. When I look at that photo of the 1942 Grey Cup team I see the same joy, happiness and enthusiasm in their faces as a Grey Cup photo taken today. To be involved in the ceremony was very moving. It is a great tribute to Jake Gaudaur and a trophy that I think will become more and more prestigious over time.”

“I didn’t know him personally but when I played he was the guy in the CFL,” says Granny Liggins (1968-78) former Argo and Stampeder lineman. “He was just the guy. When I hear about the things that Jake Gaudaur has done, it is mind-boggling and astonishing. He was, is, and always will be, the Canadian Football League. In my estimation he was the king. I will never forget Jake Gaudaur. The trophy is a great tribute to him. He made the CFL prosper.”

“Jake was a very docile, easy going guy,” says former Tiger-Cat and Ottawa Rough Rider Hall of Fame lineman Angelo Mosca (1958-72) who knew Gaudaur for close to half a century. “He made sure the Tiger-Cats were well-known. He made this league survie when he was commissioner. The announcement was very nice, I was honoured to be there. It was a pleasure to see some of the guys.”

Gaudaur was a cornerstone of the CFL for more than 40 years and was a player, an adminstrator and a builder. Born in Orillia, Ontario he was an outstanding athlete who excelled in football and lacrosse and was a national rowing champion. Gaudaur was a veteran who served with the RCAF as a pilot and instructor from 1942-46. He played football for the Hamilton Tigers, the Toronto Argonauts, the Toronto RCAF Hurricanes, the Toronto Indians (ORFU), the Hamilton-Tiger Cats and the Montreal Alouettes during his career. He was President of the Tiger-Cats from 1954-67 and served a 16 year term as CFL Commissioner from 1968-84.

“We are extremely pleased to see so many of our members at such an important event,” said Leo Ezerins, Executive Director of the CFL Alumni Association. “As an Association we are proud to support the CFL and this prestigious award. Jake Gaudaur was an outstanding Canadian both on and off the field and the CFLAA is committed to its ongoing support of the CFL and the community it serves. He was a Canadian kid who was a player, coach/manager, owner and finally the commissioner. He was inspiration to all of us but especially to those Canadian kids like me who grew up playing with a J5V.”

Filed Under: 2010 Media Releases, Media Releases Tagged With:

July 20, 2010: HTCAA – Hamilton Tiger-Cat Alumni Association Launches new web site

July 20, 2010 By

HTCAA – Hamilton Tiger-Cat Alumni Association 
Launches new web site

 

The Hamilton Tiger-Cat Alumni Association is proud to announce they are launching their new web site at www.htcaa.ca. The site, originally discussed as an on-line Association information resource for Alumni Members evolved through design to be a destination of “all things Ti-Cat’.

The site includes a chronological Team History and Rosters as well as lists of past Inductees, Honourees and Award Winners. Fans will enjoy the collection of Tiger-Cat player cards, programs and collectibles. The site also features a photo gallery of pictures from The Spectator archives and “Then & Now” profiles completed by Tiger-Cat Alumni.

HTCAA President Dave Lane feels this is a great opportunity to promote the Associations charitable events and activities in the community and to recognize both our Alumni and the rich history of football in Hamilton. “We are very proud of the volunteer work our Alumni do in the community from the Annual Food Drive to the Wall of Honour Dinner and other events and we hope the web site will go a long way in making the community aware of and to support our charitable events.”

Of special interest to fans will be an on-line trivia contest with a chance to win passes to mingle with former players on game day in their Alumni Lounge. There will also an opportunity for them to post their comments and submit their photos on-line.

Alumni member Ed Valtenbergs who is responsible for the creation and content of the site says “I really wanted to make it more than just an Alumni site, I wanted to make it fun and for the fans. It is ever evolving with more content and photos, so there is always a reason to come back to see what is new’.

A HTCAA group has also been created on Facebook for both fans and Alumni. It will allow fans to participate in discussion groups about Tiger-Cat history and their favourite memories. Fans can also submit photos of themselves at Tiger-Cat games, in their best Ti-Cat gear or alongside their favourite Alumni.

Canadian Football League Alumni Association – CFLAA Executive Director and Tiger-Cat Alumnus Leo Ezerins thinks the site is fantastic. “To be honest, it is the best one I have seen, it has been taken to the next level by combining the interests of the Alumni Association with the history of the Club. I am sure it is something our Alumni and fans can be very proud of. We will look at it as a template in possibly creating new sites for our other Alumni organizations.”

Hamilton Tiger-Cat Alumni Association History

The HTCAA was formed on April 16th, 1986 at the Royal Connaught Hotel. With 75 former players in attendance, Len Chandler was elected as the first President of the Alumni Association. Today membership totals over 150.

via:  http://htcaa.ca/news-mediarelease.asp

Filed Under: 2010 Media Releases, Media Releases

October 21, 2009: CFL Alumni Association nnounces the inaugural Legends Club Luncheon Grey Cup event

October 21, 2009 By

CFL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES THE INAUGURAL LEGENDS CLUB LUNCHEON GREY CUP EVENT

 

CALGARY, AB, October 21st, 2009
The CFL Alumni Association together with partner Calgary Stampeder Alumni Association are pleased to announce the inaugural CFL Alumni Legends Club Luncheon to be held over Grey Cup weekend in Calgary, Alberta Friday, November 27th. This charity event is the first of its kind for the newly established CFL Alumni Association, whereby the goal is to raise money for the ‘Dire Needs Fund’, which offers support to former CFL players experiencing financial or medical hardships.
“All of our CFL Alumni fundraising efforts will result in creating new and exciting events under the umbrella of the CFL and its national celebration and championship- the Grey Cup”, said Leo Ezerins, Executive Director of the newly created CFL Alumni Association. “We are excited to be working with the CFL on TSN panel for this legends club luncheon and profiling some of our hall of fame CFL Alumnus for the passionate fans of the CFL”, said Ezerins.
This inaugural luncheon will feature profiles on Hall of Fame and CFL Alumni members by the CFL on TSN broadcast panel, consisting of Dave Randorf and CFL Alumni members themselves Jock Clime, Matt Dunigan and Chris Shultz. Guests’ fortunate enough to obtain VIP tickets to the event will be privy to a luncheon with Alumni members seated at their table, where they can hear battle and success stories of their playing career while watching Grey Cup moments of the Alumni profiled at the event.
“All of our CFL clubs have stepped up and provided support of our Alumni association and guests of this event can expect to see some of their favorite legends of the game in attendance”, said former player and Calgary Stampeders Alumni President Rocco Romano. “We want this event to be THE Alumni event of the year not only raising money for our Dire Needs Fund where portions of this fund remain within the Calgary community to support amateur football, but as a gathering place for our members to reacquaint with each other and interact with our passionate CFL fan base,” said Romano.
The Alumni Legends Club luncheon will be held Friday, November 27th at Flames Central located at 219 8th Ave SW in Calgary, AB with doors opening at 11:00 am. Tickets are available for sale thru the Alumni Association’s website at www.cflaa.ca where $150 dollar VIP tickets and $75 dollar standing reception style tickets are available.
For more information on the CFL Alumni Association please visit www.cflaa.ca

For media requests, please contact:
Sheldon Lachambre
Director of Marketing and Media Relations
403.777.3304
slachambre@2009greycupfestival.com 

Filed Under: 2009 Media Releases, Media Releases Tagged With:

September 30, 2009: Etcheverry is the CFL Alumni’s “Man of the Year”

September 30, 2009 By

HONOURING “THE RIFLE”: SAM ETCHEVERRY IS THE CFL ALUMNI’S “MAN OF THE YEAR”
Inaugural Award Recognizes a Former Canadian Football League Player who Epitomizes Connection, Community and Compassion

WINNIPEG — The late Sam “The Rifle” Etcheverry is the very first recipient of the new CFL Alumni Man of the Year Award.

“This award means a lot to our family, and would have meant the world to my father,” said Sam’s son Steve, who accepted the honour on the weekend on behalf of the Etcheverry family.

“The time Dad spent with former teammates and opponents were precious to him, and the work he did on behalf of the game he loved, and the community that loved him, was precious to all of us.”

This the first year of the CFL Alumni Man of the Year Award, presented to a former CFL player who is active or previously active in his local alumni association, has achieved a successful transition to a career after football, and has served his community and charitable causes. A nominee was selected from each Alumni Association across Canada.

Reg Low, President of the Manitoba Club, Past President of the Winnipeg Blue Bomber Football Club, long time CFL supporter and chair of the event said he and his members were, “honored to host this inaugural prestigious event.  We understand the need out there to support our former players and we were just happy to help out.”

“So it was natural to choose Sam as our first honouree. He was a legendary player, a Hall of Fame quarterback and a Grey Cup winning player and coach, who made Montreal his home, and football and community service his twin passions.”

Etcheverry was instrumental in forming the Montreal Alouettes Alumni Association in 1974, one of the first such groups in the CFL, with a goal to raise funds for the less fortunate, provide financial support to the football community, and give former players a reason to maintain their bond. It has been a driving force in Montreal ever since, even when the city didn’t have a CFL team.

He was the first chair of the association’s annual golf tournament, a position he maintained for 25 years, helping to raise more than $800,000 for various charities.

“Long after he stopped throwing touchdowns, even after his number 92 was retired, Sam Etcheverry was the face of football in Montreal, lending a hand wherever it was needed,” said Peter Dalla Riva, another legendary Montreal Alouette who played for Etcheverry as a coach.

“None of us has achieved more for business, the community and football. The fact he left us so recently makes this honour all the more poignant for all of us who knew him, and respected him.”

Etcheverry was actually chosen from a list of deserving nominees for the award prior to his passing on August 29th. The presentation to his family was part of an event held at the Manitoba Club, with all proceeds from the event going to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Alumni, the CFL Alumni Association, the Never Alone Foundation, and the CFL Alumni Dire Needs Fund, which supports former players that have experienced medical or other life challenges.

“As CFL Alumni we are all a member of one extended family, we value the connection we have to one another, our ability to serve the broader community, and the need to act with compassion, towards former players and families in need,” said Dave Vankoughnett, President of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers alumni association. “The event was a great opportunity for the local Bomber Alumni and the CFL Alumni Association to work together.”

An Alouette player from 1952 to 1960, Etcheverry led Montreal to three Grey Cup appearances. Today, a half century after his playing days in the league ended, he still holds the record for the most passing yards in a Grey Cup game (508 in 1955), and the record for the most consecutive games with a passing touchdown (34 games, from 1954 to 1956).

He is tied for the record for the longest pass completion (109 yards in 1956.)  He threw for 586 yards in a game in 1954, setting a single-game record that stood for 39 years, a feat which still stands third on the all-time list.

Etcheverry returned to the Als in 1970 to coach the team, leading them to a Grey Cup title in his first season. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1969.

After the presentation of the award, attendees were treated to the unique experience of listening to CFL Legends Chris Walby, Angelo Mosca, Peter Dalla Riva, John Bonk, and Ken Ploen share personal stories about their playing days in a `hot stove` session emceed by former Bomber Wade Miller.

via:  http://cfl.ca/article/etcheverry-is-the-cfl-alumni-s-man-of-the-year

Filed Under: 2009 Media Releases, Media Releases Tagged With: ,

September 14, 2009: Eskimos and CFL Alumni honour Canadian hero

September 14, 2009 By

Eskimos and CFL Alumni honour a Canadian hero at September 11th game
Medal of Bravery Recipient to be Presented with an Ultimate Grey Cup Package

EDMONTON — Eskimos Alumni and CFL Alumni are honouring a military hero with a special prize as part of their ongoing efforts to pay tribute to our Canadian troops.

Master Corporal Donovan Ball will be presented with an Ultimate Grey Cup Package, including tickets and accommodations for the CFL’s biggest game in Calgary this November, before tonight’s game here between the Eskimos and Calgary Stampeders.

Ball was awarded the Medal of Bravery for his actions last year, during his second deployment in Afghanistan. He was one of a number of Canadian officers working as mentors to an Afghan Company when they were ambushed by Taliban insurgents. The official citation accompanying his medal descirbes how Ball helped secure “an extraction route that allowed for the execution of a fighting withdrawal”. It praises his “dedication, leadership and valour” and says that, because of Ball and his fellow officers, “many Afghan and Canadian lives were saved.”

Ball was chosen for the Grey Cup prize by Lieutenant-Colonel Pete Dawe, Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, after the former CFL players asked for the name of a worthy recipient.

“Master Corporal Ball embodies all that we admire in the Canadian soldier,” Lieutenant-Colonel Dawe said. “He is a Canadian hero and we, his fellow members of the Canadian Forces, are tremendously proud of his accomplishments and trust that all Canadians will share our sentiment.”

The Grey Cup prize was originally purchased at a live auction during the Edmonton Eskimo Alumni Golf Tournament last month by Glenn Cumyn, Owner and President of SFE Global in Vancouver. He decided to donate it for this purpose so a member of the military could enjoy “a weekend he’ll never forget.”

“The military and the CFL are my two passions,’ said Cumyn, the son of a 35-year veteran soldier, with several family members serving in the military.

Master Corporal Ball said he is honoured to accept this prize on behalf of everyone in his unit and the Canadian Forces.

“I would like to thank the Edmonton Eskimos Alumni, CFL Alumni and Mr. Cumyn for recognizing our soldiers at home and overseas,” he said.

The presentation to Master Corporal Ball is part of a special evening that will see several members of the military hosted in the Alumni Lounge and treated to game tickets by the Edmonton Eskimos.

via: http://www.esks.com/article/eskimos-and-cfl-alumni-honour-canadian-hero

Filed Under: 2009 Media Releases, Media Releases Tagged With: , ,

September 10, 2009: CFL Alumni launch new national organization

September 10, 2009 By

CFL ALUMNI LAUNCH NEW NATIONAL ORGANIZATION
CFLAA Committed to Contact, Community, Compassion

Toronto, ON – (September 10, 2009) - For the first time, former Canadian Football League players are launching a national alumni organization dedicated to working with local teams’ associations to foster contact, community, and compassion.

“Wherever and whenever we played the great game of Canadian football, we all belong to the same extended family,” said Leo Ezerins, the first executive-director of the Canadian Football League Alumni Association (CFLAA).

“Our goal is to strengthen that family, so we’re there for one another, there for the game we love and the league we helped build, and there for the broader community.”

The CFLAA is a federally incorporated, not-for-profit corporation. First established last Fall, it has been working behind the scenes to build a volunteer board of directors and reach out to each CFL team’s alumni association to identify common goals.

“Local associations provided start up funds, the CFL Board of Governors stepped up with a three-year funding commitment, and the CFL Players’ Association has also provided financial backing, so we have had significant support out of the gate, and we’re off to a strong start,” said CFLAA President Hector Pothier.

“We’re now ready to launch our public activities, and we have exciting events planned in the weeks ahead, and we’re looking forward to attending the Canadian Football Hall of Fame weekend next month in Winnipeg, and November’s Grey Cup in Calgary.”

Ezerins and Pothier identified three main goals for the new organization:

Contact: the association is hoping to work with local associations to build a broader data base of former CFL players, to connect them with each other and the game for a variety of reasons, ranging from fun and comradery to pension entitlements.

Community: there are plans to help build up Canadian youth through support for sport in general, amateur football in particular in conjunction with Football Canada, and charitable causes that help kids in need.

Compassion: while many former players have built successful lives and careers after football, others face major hardships, and the association is a driving force behind a new CFL Alumni Players Dire Needs Fund, to help those players.

The CFLAA has launched a new website, www.cflaa.ca, and web blog,www.cflalumni.wordpress.com and can be found on facebook athttp://facebook.com/pages/CFL-Alumni-Association/110073421452.

Former players or journalists wishing to learn more about the association are welcome to contact Leo Ezerins at 604-787-4623 or leo@cflalumni.org.

More information on upcoming CFLAA events will be released shortly.

The volunteer CFLAA Board of Directors is comprised of a member from each local Alumni Association, either the President or a designate. It consists of:

Hector Pothier, President, (Edmonton),
Paul Markle, VP, (Toronto),
Ralph Scholz, Secretary/Treasurer, (Hamilton),
Don Taylor, (BC), Chair CFL Alumni Players Dire Needs Fund
Jeff Avery, (Ottawa), Co Chair CFL Alumni Players Dire Needs Fund
Joe Poplawski (Winnipeg),
JT Hay (Calgary),
Steve Mazurak (Saskatchewan),
Eric Lapointe (Montreal)

Others who have assisted are:
Peter Dalla Riva (Montreal),
Herm Harrison (Calgary),
Ian Sinclair (BC),
Jay Roberts (Ottawa),
Dave Vankoughnett (Winnipeg)
Carm Carteri (Saskatchewan)

Every member of a local Alumni Association is a member of the CFL Alumni Association.

via:  http://cfl.ca/article/cfl-alumni-launch-new-national-organization

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