If you were to ask almost any pro football player about the people who have had the most positive impact on their lives, they almost certainly would all have one answer in common.
All over the country, thousands of minor league football coaches devote countless hours of their time to make the dream of playing football possible for young athletes, and last night was a chance for some of them to receive some much-deserved recognition.
Almost 500 people packed Carmen’s in Hamilton last night for the first annual Touchdown Dinner and Awards, put on by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
“This is just an amazing event for us to recognize the hard work of coaches and to assist them to help raise funds and grow football in our city,? said Ticats Head Coach Marcel Bellefeuille.
“I grew up playing in Ottawa and as a young kid I needed that financial support as well, so I know the kids are going to really benefit from this,? he added.
The CFL on TSN panel (Dave Randorf, Jock Climie, Matt Dunigan & Milt Stegall) entertained the crowd at Tuesday's Touchdown Dinner and Awards
The event was MC’d by Dave Randorf, who was joined by Jock Climie, Milt Stegall and Matt Dunigan on stage to form a replica of their popular CFL broadcast set.
With a packed house, it’s estimated that the event raised over $25,000, all of which will go to benefit the many minor football programs in the Hamilton area.
The rich football tradition that Hamilton has was in full view last night as both former and current Tiger-Cats stars were in attendance to listen to the CFL on TSN’s panel of speakers lead the night’s festivities.
“I think we all know that Hamilton has a great football tradition and we’re very fortunate to have five organized leagues and teams right here in our backyard,? said Mark Bowden, the Ticats Vice President of Community Affairs.
“It’s up to the Tiger-Cats to support these kinds of organizations because we don’t know where our next player is going to come from, or who is going to become the next Dave Stala,? he said.
It was the first time that the Ticats have organized this event, but judging from the turnout and the enthusiasm of everyone in attendance, it won't be the last.
Awesome Job Ticats Staff !! :thup:
