OCIATION AT ALUMNI ASS TIGER-C ILTON HAM TIGERtalestales TIGEOFFICIAL NEWSLETTER R Sept 2016 1986 GREY CUP CHAMPS REUNION Thirty years after the most memorable Grey Cup upset victory with the Championship team. Afterwards, team members were in Club history, members of the 86’ Championship team gathered welcomed at the new Alumni Clubhouse at Tim Horton’s Field and in Hamilton for a weekend filled with reunion events. The weekend recognized on field at half-time. The team pitched in with a spirited kicked-off with a wonderfully catered social gathering hosted at the effort defeating the Roughriders 53–7. home of 86’ team member David Sauve where the game was shown On Sunday, the team hosted a special tour of the stadium and outdoors on the big screen. brunch in the Champions Lounge overlooking the field to conclude a On Saturday, August 20th a special pregame tailgate party was spectacular weekend. hosted by the Alumni Association where fans could mix and mingle 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. HAMILTONHAMILTON TIGER-CATTIGER-CAT ALUMNIALUMNI ASSOCIATIONASSOCIATION 2nd Annual Alumni Social Friday, October 21st ALUMNI CLUBHOUSE AT TIM HORTON’S FIELD Enter via Security Gate 1A RECEPTION: 6pm DINNER: 6:30pm Watch Tiger-Cats @ Redblacks: 7pm Complimentary tickets for all Alumni & spouse/significant other. Tickets: $30 for additional family Attendees must RSVP in advance to: [email protected] or (905) 570-6105 2 IN THE COMMUNITY COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE Fans gathered at Tim Horton’s Field for a special community day where they were able to take in a number of events including the opportunity to meet some of their favourite Alumni and get some autographs TIM HORTON’S CAMP DAY SOFTBALL CLASSIC Tiger-Cat Alumni once again Tiger-Cat Alumni were on stepped up to participate in the hand to participate in the Tiger- Annual Tim Horton’s Camp Day Cat Community Softball Classic at Fundraiser. Various Alumni were Bernie Arbour Stadium on May 15th. at Tim Horton’s locations around the city to lend a hand. htcaa.ca 3 EVENTS WALK OF FAME DINNER Many Alumni, family, friends (and enemies?) gathered at Carmen’s Banquet Centre to help induct and roast new Walk of Fame inductee Mike Morreale. “Brother” Rob Hitchcock provided an entertaining speech to honour his former teammate. The Cats Claws Fan Club holds their annual dinner in the spring to induct Alumni who made a lasting impact both on and off the field during their time as a Tiger-Cat. TIGER-CAT ALUMNI ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT Now in its’ 31st year and an annual tradition at the end of May, the HTCAA hosted their Alumni golf tournament at the MontHill Golf and Country Club in Caledonia. Momentum seems to be growing for the tournament as many Alumni are returning for this annual gathering. Along with some great golf, weather and steak dinner….Alumni, friends and fans were able to have fun and participate in some great contests and take in some complimentary “refreshments”. Hope to see all of you and more again next year! 4 Hamilton Tiger-Cat Alumni Wear Items in various sizes are in stock and can be picked up and paid for Order Alumni merchandise by completing an order from on game day at the new Alumni Clubhouse at Tim Horton’s Field. online at www.htcaa.ca and emailing to [email protected]. Embroidered Athletic T-Shirt Embroidered Hat Embroidered Golf Shirt $25 $20 $35 Embroidered Jacket Centre Front: “Property of” design Embroidered Long Sleeve Dress Shirt 3-Colour: Athleticfor friendsGold, Black & family & White of Alumni Distressed 1 new screens, 1Available colour changes, in Grey or Black in addition to previous Tiger head design Option 1: 9.2"W x 11.3"H Option 2: 9.2"W x 10.8"H $70 T-shirt*This option$15, canSweatshirt be made $25 Centre Front: 11.5"W x$45 10"H Centre Front: 11.5"W x 10"Hslightly bigger if required 1-Colour: Athletic Gold Distressed or Black 3-Colour: Athletic Gold, Black & White Distressed Football T-Shirt 1 new screen &Football 1 colour Sweatshirt change Tiger Head T-Shirt4 new screens,Tiger no colour Head changes. Sweatshirt Centre Front: 11.5"W x 10"H Centre Front: 11.5"W x 10"H 1-Colour: Athletic Gold Distressed or Black 3-Colour: Athletic Gold, Black & White Distressed 1 new screen & 1 colour change 4 new screens, no colour changes. $15 $25 $15 $25 TIGER-CAT Q&A Name: Ryan Donnelly I must have closed my eyes because when I Birthday: December 13, 1978 opened them he was sacking the quarterback. That was my first one on one pass rush and Joe School: McMaster welcomed me to the league. I always knew how Position(s): Guard/Tackle/Center good he was but when he moved on to Toronto Years with Tiger-Cats: 6 I had to find out first hand. He was definitely the best player I have ever played against. CAREER 7. Which coach did you respect or enjoy 1. Tell us about how you got started playing for the most and why? in football and your amateur career. Ron Lancaster was my first coach in the CFL. I didn’t play football until my final year of high He cared about you more off the field then on. school. I have the high school football team Always had time to tell me a story, say hi and to thank for starting my career as 3 years of make you feel part of the team. He did more making fun of me for playing volleyball paid than just coach the Tiger Cats and the ones off and I made the switch. I decided to try out who had him were the lucky ones. for the McMaster Marauders in 1997. I was only THE GAME 190lb and was not recruited. Apparently tall, 8. Tell us about some of your favourite Grey skinny, slow guys that can’t catch are not hot Cup memories. 12. What aspects of the Canadian game do commodities. I walked into McMaster and met you like the most? Missed the 99 Grey cup by 2 years... :( with Greg Marshall and he told me “well…… The 3 downs is the only way to play football. As you have a good frame but you’re a bone POST CFL CAREER a lineman I love to run block but the excitement rack!” He told me to gain weight and come to 9. Tell us about your life and career after of always being in a passing down situation is training camp. I bulked up to a massive 195lb playing/working with the Tiger-Cats or CFL? what gets me out of my seat as a fan. and walked on. I started at TE and quickly was asked to join a depleted offensive line which I am now a regional manager for GoodLife 13. Is there any aspect of the game you would endured injuries in training camp. Two games Fitness in southern Ontario. I have 3 beautiful change if you could? into the season I was the starting left tackle children Logan (6) Lucas (4) and Reese (2). The instant replay for pass interference. That’s at 200lbs. The bravest man on the football They are my world and make everyday a better the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen. field was QB Ben Chapdelaine as he had to one. My wife Nikki and I have been together stand behind me! I enjoyed a great first year since my Tiger Cat years. FINAL THOUGHTS which capped off tying the #1 ranked Western 10. Tell us about your interests, hobbies, 14. What advice do you have to either young Mustangs in the last game of the season. your passion or anything else you would like players or those just starting out in the CFL? 2. How did you get started in the CFL (draft, to. Share about yourself. You are way better than you think. When I came free agent, trade etc.)? I love to build. I finished my basement top into the league I never got beat at Mac. I felt I I was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger Cats in the to bottom last year and love the sense of had to do the same in the CFL but that’s just not 4th round 28th overall accomplishment tackling carpentry/home the case. The first few years I always doubted improvement. I have many projects on the go, my ability but I realized everyone has plays they 3. Do or did you hold any records? it is my way to get alone time. want back. You get better from the ones you Is a career rushing total of 3 yards a record? wished never happened. 11. Share with us some of the places you've 4. Do or did you have a nickname? been or things you have experienced. 15. Is there anything else you would like to share? (thoughts, advice, stories, memories) Rhino Not many people know I spent 4 years living in India in the Himalayan Mountains. My A story for you. John Macdonald and I were 5. Tell us about some of your fondest father’s job took our family over there. We roommates in our first year. We were rookies memories with the Tiger-Cats or in the CFL. lived along-side 30 other Canadian families and and came back to our hotel room to our room I lived in Winnipeg and Hamilton growing up assimilated into the Indian culture.