To fellow CFL Alumni and friends;

I am honored and proud to address all of you as the first Executive Director of the CFL Alumni Association (CFLAA).  The creation of the CFLAA represents a historic and major step forward in the relationship between the League and its retired players. 

Mission statement: 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.

It is important to report some of our 2010 Highlights

• 3 year funding agreement provided by the CFL (via the support of the Board of Governors) and from each Alumni Association
• Support payment from the CFLPA
• Creation of the CFL Alumni Dire Needs Fund
• Ultimate Grey Cup Weekend Ticket Package –a live auction prize donated by the CFLAA and Grey Cup Festival 2009 to be utilized at each Alumni golf tournament to raise funds locally (Note: in most cases the funds more than offset the amount of the support payment)

CFLAA will continue to work together with the local Alumni Associations and always to be mindful our purpose is to enhance the operations of the local Association.  In our inaugural year we were able to cooperatively present a number of major events that included:

• We Support Our Troops – Edmonton, September 11
• CFL Alumni Man of the Year – Winnipeg, September 26
• CFL Alumni Legends Club Brunch – Calgary, Grey Cup, November 27, 2009

The CFL Alumni and local Alumni shared the roles and responsibilities of each event, as well as, sharing the net proceeds.  The events raised over $40,000 and laid a strong platform for future fundraising endeavours.

The CFLAA has become a reality through the dedicated and successful efforts of several pioneering alumnus and friends.  A special thanks go to the CFL Board of Governors, CFLAA Executive and Board of Directors, our member Alumni Associations, CFLPA, President, Stu Laird, CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon, Gene Dunn, Michael Copeland, Kevin McDonald, Lyle Bauer, Joe Poplawski, Hugh Campbell, Robert (Soko) Sokalski, Linda Woods Edwards, Bob Viccars, Scott Ackles, Glenn Cumyn, and David Asper.  As well, I would like to acknowledge the NHL Alumni Association, Mark Napier, and NFL Alumni, Frank Krauser for their openness and sharing of best practices. 

We are now well positioned to forge a new era of cooperation and improve the overall “quality of life” for all alumni.  Your participation in the newly formed CFLAA and your local Alumni Associations is invaluable and essential.  As a vital first step we have created the CFL Alumni Dire Needs Fund to help with financial assistance to those former players who are experiencing challenges to medical reasons. We are grateful and would like to acknowledge David Asper for his generous contribution to kick off the fund.

We believe we are entering an unprecedented ear of collaboration with the League, the CFL owners/board of Governors and our alumni.  Indeed, the League’s enthusiastic reception to the CFLAA reflects a renewed respect and appreciation for the legendary men who built this grand foundation upon which the CFL stands today.

As Commissioner Mark Cohon stated recently in his blog…

“If we see a bright future for the CFL, and we truly do, it is because we stand on the shoulders of these extraordinary and ordinary men.”

In promotion of that respect and appreciation, the CFLAA Board of Directors and I are committed to maintaining an open line of communication with you and the League.

As we strategically build our association we are committed to our five strategic priorities.

• Establish a separate but related organization under the CFL AA umbrella to administer, raise, and distribute resources for a Dire Needs Fund for former players.
• Provide services and benefits, and a framework for communication of best practices, to, from, and between the CFLAA and club alumni associations.
• Adopt practices and projects to become a financially viable organization that assists identified alumni and football-related projects.
• Work with partners to promote the CFL tradition and awareness of football to alumni, youth, fans, and the public.
• Provide good governance and management for the Association.

We all know there is tremendous strength in numbers and the benefits of working together as a team.  We must remain united for the benefit of all alumni.  And so, I am passionately urging all former players to stand up and be counted as members of their local Alumni Associations and the CFLAA.  If you, or other former players you know, have become disenfranchised, by choice or omission, now it the time to engage in a process that I know will reap substantial benefits for all of us. 

Stay tuned for exciting new developments. In the meantime lets keep’er going!

Leo Ezerins
Executive Director, CFL Alumni Association