OCIATION AT ALUMNI ASS TIGER-C ILTON HAM TIGERtalestales TIGEOFFICIAL NEWSLETTER R Dec 2016 YEAR IN REVIEW . A HOME OF OUR OWN 2016 marked the and televisions, the Alumni now have a place tailgate party where fans were able to mx arrival of our very to gather on game day. The HTCAA also has and mingle with team members. The weekend own long-awaited access to the facility during the year for other also included a private reception, on field Alumni Clubhouse stadium and special events. Paid up Alumni ceremony and stadium tour and brunch. at Tim Horton’s and their guests are welcome to all. Two old events returned again to Hamilton Field. The HTCAA With the launch of the new Clubhouse, the as Tim Horton’s Field played host to the completed a very HTCAA also introduced a new logo that will Vanier Cup and the Annual Canadian Football successful fundrais- be used in the room, in Tigertales and all our Hall of Fame Weekend. Both events will be in ing campaign where over 110 Alumni other branding. Hamilton again next year. generously donated over $70,000 to complete We also celebrated the 30th reunion of Finally, the HTCAA lost two of its most the construction and furnishing of our new our 1986 Grey Cup Championship team. As popular and recognizable members as both room. At over 2,000 sq. ft. and including a a template for future reunions the HTCAA Ellison Kelly and former Alumni President bar, catering counter, numerous seating areas held a very special and successful pregame Dave Lane passed away. TigerTales is the official newsletter of the Hamilton Tiger-Cat Alumni Association. It is published 3 times per year in May, September & December. For more information visit our website at www.htcaa.ca. The Hamilton Tiger-Cat Alumni Association would like to thank and recognize the following donors whose financial contributions have made our Alumni Clubhouse possible PLATINUM SPONSORS Joe Sardo Dave Richardson Darell Harle Hamilton Tiger-Cat Dave Sauve Mike Robinson Rob Hitchcock Football Club Ralph Sazio Family Pete Robson Jeff Howe Terry & Lorraine Smith & Long Ltd. Ralph Scholz Jim Hyk Evanshen Gerry Sternberg Mike Sienna Terry Ireland Bernie Faloney Family United Trophy Joe Siepi Ray Jones Al Merlo Barry Turk Glenn Timlock Zeno Karcz Angelo Mosca Family Michael Walker Family Henry Waszcuk Steve Kearns GOLD SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS Ben Zambiasi Ellison Kelly Family Jim Cimba Sandy Beveridge BRONZE SPONSORS Craig Labbett Tom Clements Mark Bowden Willie Bethea Bob MacDonald Mike Collymore Ernie Caterini Jack Blair John MacDonald Rocky DiPietro Bernie Custis Pat Brady David Maiuk Family Dan Dulmage Mark DeNobile Bob Butter Doug Mitchell Leo Ezerins Ryan Donnelly Family Ed Chalupka Alex Muzyka Family Fluke Transport Ltd. Chris Durka Richard Chambers Nick Pollice Fox 40 International Rudy Florio Pascal Cheron Frank Robinson Inc. Todd Fryer Dave Clarke John Salavantis Gator Ted's Tap & Grill Miles Gorrell Tara Clugston Dana Segin Andrew Grigg Garney Henley Don Cook Don Sutherin Steve Hmiel Brian Hutchings Bob Cruickshanks Ed Szpytma Gary Inskeep Mike Jovanovich Bill Danychuk Ed Turek Lee Knight Bob Krouse Bob Dawson Helen Turpin Dave Lane Bill Kyle Frank Dilks Ed Valtenbergs Dr. David "Doc" & Kathy Levy Terry Lehne Chuck Ealey Dave Viti John Malinosky Lonnie Maich Dick Easterly Dick Weslowski Dave Marler Mike McCarthy Albert Friday Rob Whitehouse Mike Philbrick Jim Papai Gregg Friday Wally Zatylny Jason & Paulette Riley John Pellizzari Tony Gabriel Joe Zuger Mike Samples Bob Richardson Joe Gunnis Please submit any corrections to [email protected]. Donations still being accepted. 2 IN THE COMMUNITY Ben Zambiasi and Jason Riley took time to sign autographs for some young fans prior to the east semi- final for Marks Work Warehouse. The Vanier Cup returned to Tim Horton’s Field for the first time since 2008. In an exciting game, Laval held on to defeat University of Calgary 31-26. The Clubhouse was open for Alumni to enjoy prior and during the game. EVENTS Our second annual alumni social took place on October 21st in the newly completed Clubhouse inside Tim Horton’s Field. Many alumni along with friends and family gathered to watch the Tiger-Cats take on the Ottawa RedBlacks and enjoy a complimentary meal and snacks along with a few tasty beverages. htcaa.ca 3 2017 Marks Milestone Reunions! he Hamilton Tiger Cat Alumni Association along with the Hamilton Tiger Cats Football Club are planning for a dual anniversary reunion of the 1957 (60th) and T th 1967 (50 ) Grey Cup Championship teams. The HTCAA will be organizing a weekend of events next summer to celebrate this special occasion. The date is will be finalized when the 2017 Tiger-Cat schedule is released next spring. More information will be forwarded then in- Glenn Timlock (1957 team liaison) cluding a formal invitation and electronic “evite”. 30 Greenhill Dr., Thorold ON, L2V 1W5 Phone: 905-227-6642 The HTCAA is inviting members of those championship Email: [email protected] teams to this festive weekend. Please forward this informa- tion to any of your teammates. This is a great opportunity to rekindle friendships and rehash memories – whether truths or exaggerations. This This is an initial message to inform you of the event and event will also be an opportunity to see the new Tiger- gather all of your contact information. Cats Stadium (Tim Hortons Field) and our new Alumni Club Please confirm your complete address, phone number(s) House. and email address to: I look forward to seeing you at the reunion. Bob Krouse (1967 team liaison) All the best, 744 Winston Rd, Grimsby ON, L3M 4E8 Phone: 905-643-1772 Jason Riley Email: [email protected] President, HTCAA 4 2016 a Tough Year for Tiger-Cats By Brian Snelgrove here are many words that could be used to describe the Hamilton Tiger-Cats T 2016 CFL campaign – frustrating, inconsistent, disappointing – all are valid. After back-to-back Grey Cup appearances in 2013 and ’14 and a trip to the Eastern final last year, expectations were high once again for this year’s Tiger-Cats. Unfortunately, the Ti-Cats finished second in the East and were eliminated in the Eastern semi-final. Hamilton opened the season with a convincing 42-20 win over the Argos at Toronto’s new home, BMO Field. The future looked bright for a team that had come within one play of going to the Grey Cup for a third consecutive time last season. The optimism didn’t last however as the with a club record 101. Fantuz also surpassed and Masoli. As a team Hamilton was last in Tiger-Cats dropped back-to-back games to the 1,000 yard barrier for the first time as a the CFL in rushing this past year. They also B.C. and Winnipeg at home immediately Tiger-Cat finishing with 1,059 yards receiving. need fewer turnovers. The Tiger-Cats were after their season-opening victory. Hamilton Newly acquired DE John Chick was a pleasant second last in the CFL in that crucial depart- embarked on a four-game road trip and surprise as he recorded 14 sacks – second best ment. Most importantly however, Hamilton won the first two before losing to B.C. and in the league - and forced four fumbles – tied must remain healthy if they hope to be Winnipeg again. After splitting the next two, for third in the CFL. Jeremiah Masoli set a competitive in 2017. Hamilton reached the half-way point of the CFL record for consecutive completions with season with a mediocre record of 4-5. 23 in a spirited 25 point comeback against The second half was even more challeng- the Eskimos in Week Five. Kicker Brett Maher ing as the Tiger-Cats went 3-6 down the nailed a 58 yard 3-pointer to set a Hamilton stretch. With first place on the line in a weak record for longest field goal. East Division, the Tiger-Cats were poised to Despite missing eight games Collaros move past Ottawa when they dropped a heart- finished fourth in the CFL with 18 touchdown breaking game at home to the RedBlacks by passes. Masoli also cracked the top ten finish- a score of 30-29. The Ticats fell to 6-9 and ing tied for seventh with 15. Gable finished went on to lose five of their last six games en sixth in the league in rushing with 693 yards route to an uninspired record of 7-11. Hamil- while Tolliver was fifth in TD receptions with ton hosted the cross-over Edmonton Eskimos nine. Fantuz was fifth with 101 receptions. in the Eastern semi-final. Trailing 18-3 at the Defensively, Emmanuel Davis was third in half the Tiger-Cats battled back and took the the CFL with five interceptions while Simoni Eskimos down to the wire, before losing on a Lawrence finished fourth with 89 tackles. last second field goal 24-21. Other good news for Ti-Cat fans is that Key injuries once again plagued the once again every home game was a sell-out. Tiger-Cats in 2016. For the third year in a The bad news is that the friendly confines of row Zach Collaros failed to play a complete Tim Horton’s Field weren’t so friendly as the schedule and missed eight games. The heart Tiger-Cats compiled an overall home record of of the receiving corps - Chad Owens, Luke just three wins against six losses. Tasker, Andy Fantuz, Matt Coates as well as The off-season should be a busy time for running back C.J. Gable - all missed action Ti-Cat brass as a slew of high profile players due to injury.