ALUMNI NEWS In Conversation With ... By Chris Durka

I recently had the opportunity to have a Bill’s playing abilities both as a conversation with Bill Redell who played an and as a defensive back integral role in the outstanding success of the which was a necessity for the team Hamilton Tiger Cat defence in 1967. Many in at that time. Bill would immediately fact believe that this was the greatest Ti-Cat start on the defence and also provide defence of all time. The 1967 defence did the Ti-Cats the quarterback experience not allow a single touchdown to be scored in the backup role that was so against them in the last 6 games of the season vitally needed. The trade was a great including the 2 game eastern total points final trade for the Cats because they also and the game. received all-star receiver Tommy Joe Bill was not only a stalwart defensive back; Coffey and Hamilton native Ed Turek he was also the team’s backup quarterback in that trade. which provided the Ti-Cats with a reliable Bill quickly adapted to his new insurance policy in the event , the surroundings and his team mates. He team’s starting quarterback was injured. mentioned what a great experience Bill was an accomplished and experience it was to be surrounded with players quarterback in his own right. He was the such as , Joe Zuger, starting QB for the Edmonton Eskimos prior to Dave Fleming, , Hal arriving in Hamilton and could have easily been Paterson , , John Barrow, a starting QB for other teams in the Canadian Bob Krouse and list went on. His Football League. He was a two way player also fondest memory was to be part of and in 1966 he was selected as a CFL All-Star. that great 1967 team and winning the Redell started playing quarterback in San Grey Cup that year. He continued to to the Gerald R. Ford Award. In 2001, he was Marino High School in Westlake Village California say that he liked playing for who he inducted into the National Football Foundation where his talents were noticed by scouts from described as being a tough coach who possessed College Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the University of Southern California and he was a keen ability to thoroughly prepare his team for 10 other Hall of Fames, most recent being ultimately presented with a football scholarship. every game. the Occidental Collages’ Inaugural Athlete Soon after however, Bill decide to transfer to Bill said that he really enjoyed his time in Hall of Fame. where he felt that he would Hamilton particularly experiencing the articulate This year he was selected the winner of the have a better opportunity to play quarterback. character of the supportive Ti-Cat fans. He nation-wide contest for ‘Coaches Who Have Made The choice he made was an excellent one remembered the happy times he and his family a Difference ‘. This honour was awarded by the because he ended up having an exceptional had when they stayed at 21 Duff Street during National Hall of Fame and the career as a quarterback there. He led Occidental his stay in Hamilton. 2018 Rose Bowl Committee. He accomplished all College to 2 Southern California Intercollegiate After football, Bill went into a business this while running a large insurance firm of 135 Athletic Conference Championships and was career for 10 years before returning to football employees, called Bolton and Company. named All Pacific Coast Quarterback and All to become a renowned coach in California at all Bill was very candid and open in our American Defensive Back in 1962-63. levels. As a college coach he was an assistant conversation. He asked about a number of his In 1964 Bill was drafted by the National at California State University, Fullerton and former teammates and demonstrated a deep Football League Los Angeles Rams and by the California Lutheran University. He then contin- concern for all their well-being. It was a distinct Denver Broncos of the league. ued his coaching at the high school level as a pleasure to have had the opportunity to talk to Bill choose to try out for the NFL Rams but after head coach for 25 years. His high school teams # 12 Bill Redell, another great Hamilton Tiger training camp he was found expendable and went on to set 9 CIF (California Interscholastic Cat legend. this is when he made contact with coach Neil Federation) records of 48 consecutive wins, 9 Armstrong of the Edmonton Eskimos who was consecutive CIF Championship appearances and CHRIS DURKA IS a long-time Tiger-Cat looking for a quarterback. 8 CIF Championships. fan, season ticket holder, historian and Bill played quarterback for the Eskimos from Bill has been named the US Nations High collector of Tiger-Cat memorabilia and 1964 to 1966 and in 1967 he was traded to the School Coach of the year on 4 separate occa- autographs. Over the years, Chris has Tiger Cats in a blockbuster trade orchestrated sions and has won numerous awards ranging had the honour to speak with many by the Ti-Cat General Manager at from the prestigious Southern California Tiger-Cat players whom he now recalls that time. The Ti-Cat management recognized Broadcasters Life Time Achievement Award in conversation.

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