OCIATION AT ALUMNI ASS TIGER-C ILTON HAM TIGERtalestales TIGEOFFICIAL NEWSLETTER R Sept 2014 Induction Week BOB KROUSE INDUCTED INTO HAMILTON SPORTS HALL OF FAME CFHOF INDUCTION WEEKEND IN MONTREAL Native Hamiltonian and Tiger-Cat great Former Tiger-Cat Bob Krouse was among the six Honourees running back and at the HSHOF Dinner on September 16th at front office execu- Carmen’s. Bob was a champion athlete in track tive Neil Lumsden and field and football at Hamilton Central was inducted Secondary School and made the direct jump under the amateur from High School to the CFL. He played 13 category in the years for the Tiger-Cats (1963–75) winning 4 Canadian Football Grey Cups. Hall of Fame. Neil He was an unsung, often unheralded line- was a star running backer, who was an integral part of some of back and kicker for the best defenses in the history of the team. the University of Bob was a student of the game and always Photo by Shelly Cameron Ottawa Gee Gee’s spent many hours studying game film to gain around Stoney Creek for more than 30 from 1972–75. He set the CIS career records him an advantage over his opponents. His years and volunteered for many events for points including the single season record knowledge and understanding of the game led and organizations. Bob was also a found- in 1975 when he also won the Vanier Cup and him as a defensive signal caller on the field. ing member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cat Game MVP. After retirement he spent many years as a Alumni and held the positions of both Among other inductees that weekend were Canadian scout and taught high school in and President and secretary. current B.C. Lions GM Wally Buono, legendary Western Mustangs Coach Larry Haylor and former CFL stars Ben Cahoon, Uzooma Okeke, Maurice (Moe) Racine and Charles Roberts. 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. Ev ENTS WALK OF FAME DINNER HTCAA GOLF TOURNAMENT The 29th Annual Tiger-Cat Alumni Association returned again to Sundrim Golf Course in Caledonia. This year’s tournament was once again a near sell-out and welcomed many Alumni who enjoyed a beautiful day of golf and a chance to mix and mingle with many fans. As always, golfers enjoyed a delicious steak dinner and had a chance at many great prizes. Be sure to join us next year. CFHOF GOLF TOURNAMENT The Canadian Football Hall of Fame held its annual fundraising tournament on September 16th at Thundering Waters Golf Club in Niagara Falls. Many fans and Hall of Famers enjoyed a great day on the course on an absolutely perfect day. Tiger-Cat Alumni in attendance included this year’s CFHOF inductee, Neil Lumsden as well as Tommy Joe Coffey, Damon Allen, Matt Dunigan & Don Sutherin. The Cats Claws Fan Club held their annual Walk of Fame Induction Dinner this past May at the Renaissance Banquet Centre. Former Tiger-Cat great and CFHOF Inductee Miles Gorrell joined long time CFL and Tiger-Cat executive and scout Mike McCarthy (builder) as honourees along with current Tiger-Cat Mark Beswick who received the Charlotte Simmons Award. Miles played 19 years in the CFL including 8 with the Tiger-Cats. He was a five-time divisional All-Star and two-time Outstanding Lineman finalist who also sits fourth in the record books for games played (321). He won his only Grey Cup Championship as a Tiger-Cat in 1986. ONTARIO SPORTS Mike’s CFL career began in 1985 when he HALL OF FAME joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as Director of Player Personnel, and later taking on the Former Tiger-Cat and CFL Legend Tony additional role of Assistant General Manager Gabriel was inducted in the Ontario Sports in 1988. After a few seasons with other Hall of Fame at an induction ceremony held teams, Mike returned in 1995, then spent on September 18th at Exhibition Place in a year as President of the B.C. Lions before Toronto. He joins Angelo Mosca, Bernie returning to spend another 11 years with the Faloney and Joe Krol as the only Hamilton Tiger-Cats. players in the Hall. 2 IN THE COMMUNITY A S LUMNI ELECT STEEL CITY ALL-STARS As part of supporting various levels of The teams were coached by McMaster football in Hamilton, Alumni were on hand University football coaches and players, to select the game stars at the 24th Annual with Marauders head Coach Stefan Ptaszek Steel City Bowl held on June 6th. The game leading the East team and linebacker coach was held at Ron Joyce Stadium at McMaster Frank Gesztesi guiding the West team. University. It pits the best Hamilton- Honorary chairs were Joe Sardo, presi- Wentworth Public and Catholic High School dent of Hamilton-Wentworth Minor Football players against each other in and East verses Association, and Dennis McPhee, defensive West showdown. On hand to select game line coach of the Canadian Football League’s stars were Jim Papai, Mike McCarthy, Brian Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Hutchings and Dave Richardson. TMH I ORTON’S CAMP DAY The Hamilton Tiger-Cat Mosca, Mitchell Price, Less Browne, Dave Clarke, Alumni once again par- Dick Wesolowski, Paul Weiler, Bernie Ruoff, Jim ticipated in Tim Horton’s Papai, Tony Gabriel, Dave Lane, Dana Segin, Camp Day on June 4th. Every Dave Marler, Andrew Grigg, Dave Sauve and year many Alumni members “Pigskin Pete” Paul Weiler. volunteer their time by Camp Day is the one day each year when visiting local Tim Horton’s locations to serve up Tim Hortons restaurant owners donate 100 some brew and mingle with fans. per cent of the proceeds from coffee sales to Participating this year was Joe Zuger, the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation (THCF), Bob Krouse, Mike Samples, Jeff Howe, Angelo making it the Foundation’s largest fundraiser each year. TIM TURNS 50 WALL OF HONOUR DINNER Hamilton’s own Tim Hortons celebrated This year’s Wall of Honour Dinner will their 50th Anniversary this past July with an be held on Tuesday, November 4th at Car- event at the Toronto Metro Convention Centre. men’s Banquet Centre. This will be an event In a perfect pairing of Hamilton’s two most you will not want to miss as we welcome recognizable brands, Tiger-Cat Alumni were back all surviving Wall of Honour Inductees. on hand to hand to sign autographs and meet Tickets are $100 and are available at the with franchisees. On hand were 1972 Grey Cup Tigertown store on Jarvis St, online at Champion Gerry Sternberg and 1986 Grey Cup www.htcaa.ca or by emailing mark@ Champion Mitchell Price. relevent.ca. htcaa.ca 3 T CIGER- A Q&A Name: Dave Fleming 6. Who were some of the team-mates Years with Tiger-Cats: 1965–74 and opponents you admired the most Position: RB and why? Angelo Mosca and Garney Henley. CAREER 7. Which coach did you respect or enjoy playing for the the most and why? 1. Tell us about how you got started in football and your amateur career. Ralph Sazio. At 8 years old, my father started me with 8. Tell us about some of your favourite the Pop Warner League. I continued to Grey Cup memories. play High School football and then the The 1972 Grey Cup where I caught the Duquesne Ironmen of the Atlantic Coast winning touchdown. League. 2. How did you get started in the CFL POST CFL CAREER (draft, free agent, trade etc.)? 9. Tell us about your life and career I played 2 year with the Pittsburgh after playing/working with the Tiger- Steelers in 1963/64 where I was scouted Cats or CFL? and signed with the Tiger-Cats in 1965. l scouted the CFL for a number of years BOI and coached semi-pro football. 3. Do or did you hold any records? Dave Fleming played his entire ten year I still hold Tiger-Cat records for a “RB” 10. Tell us about your interests, hob- CFL career with Hamilton from 1965 to for total games and years played, total bies, your passion or anything else you 1974. Initially, Fleming was used mainly touchdowns and total offensive yards. would like to share about yourself. as a defensive back, recording three I hold many weight lifting records. interceptions in 1966 and two in 1967. 4. Do or did you have a nickname? Fleming’s role on offense increased 11. Share with us some of the places “Fly”. steadily from 1965 when he only played you’ve been or things you have experi- three games to 1969. In those years, his 5. Tell us about some of your fondest enced. rushing totals progressed from 0 yards memories with the Tiger-Cats or in the My favourite experiences are coaching my CFL. in 1965, 81 yards in 1966, 303 yards in grandchildren and my son David coaching 1967, 599 yards in 1968 and a career The 1967 team making a comback playoff high school football. high 641 yards in 1969. At that time, win to play in the Grey Cup. Also, winning most teams had a big fullback to carry the 1972 Grey Cup in Hamilton. THE GAME the ball the majority of the time with smaller, faster halfbacks like Fleming as 12. What aspects of the Canadian game the number two rusher. Fleming played do you like the most? his part behind a number of fullbacks for The speed of the game.