CFLAA NAMES ALUMNUS & INDIGENOUS CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

Since 2009, the CFL Alumni Association (CFLAA) has recognized Alumni members that have made outstanding contributions to their football community.

For the 2022 event, CFLAA Executive Director Leo Ezerins announced that Rob Bresciani and Rob Pyne have been chosen as the CFL Alumnus of the Year.

“The CFLAA Alumnus of the Year Award recognizes former players and the positive impact they have had on their communities over the years,” said Leo Ezerins, Executive Director of the CFLAA. “Rob Bresciani and Rob Pyne love football and they love their community, dedicating themselves to making a difference in Regina. They are deserving recipients of this award.”

Rob Bresciani played five seasons in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders and Ottawa Rough Riders. A member of the 1989 Grey Cup champion Roughriders, Bresciani spent time as a fullback, slotback and wide receiver during his CFL career.

A longtime member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders Alumni Association, Rob served as its vice-president before taking over as president in 2017.

After retirement, Rob has remained involved with football as a coach in addition to his participation with the Riders Alumni Association. He has also been active with the Regina Catholic School Board, serving with the board since 1994 (excluding a break from 2003 to 2006). In addition to serving as a trustee, he also had a term as Chair of the Board.

“I’m very honoured and humbled to receive this award. When I look at the past winners, it’s special to be picked from your local peers and brothers to follow in these footsteps,” said Bresciani. “You don’t do these things to win awards but when something like this happens, like I said, it’s very humbling.”

Rob Pyne played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Calgary Stampeders from 1972 to 1974, seeing action in 32 CFL games as a defensive back, receiver and kick returner.

Since retirement, Rob has coached in a multitude of leagues including Regina Minor Football (both the fall and spring leagues), the Regina Intercollegiate Football League and the Western Women’s Canadian Football League.

Rob has also participated as guest coach at local high school spring training camps, the University of Regina Rams Football School, and the Regina Thunder evaluation camps and spring training camp.

“I thought there were a couple of other people that were probably more deserving in our alumni association than me,” said Pyne when asked if he was surprised by the award. “So yes, it caught me by surprise.”

Rob Bresciani and Rob Pyne will be officially honoured at the 2022 CFL Legends Luncheon on Friday, November 18 at the Queensbury Centre Banner Hall in Regina, Sk. This event includes a meal, silent auction, live auction, and heads-or-tails fundraiser. CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie and the infamous Grey Cup championship trophy will also be in attendance.

For further information and to purchase tickets go to: https://www.greycupfestival.ca/event/cfl-alumni-association-legends-luncheon-presented-by-phoenix-group/

HUGHES NAMED CFLAA INDIGENOUS CHAMPION PRESENTED BY SASK POLYTECHNIQUE

The Canadian Football League Alumni Association (CFL) is proud to announce it will present the CFLAA Indigenous Champion Award at the 2022 CFL Legends Luncheon on Friday, November 18 at the Queensbury Centre Banner Hall in Regina, Sk.
 
Since 2009, the CFL Legends Luncheon has been held annually at every Grey Cup Festival. Featuring a large contingent of CFL alumni, the luncheon has become one of the premier events of the festival for CFL fans attending the Grey Cup.
 
An integral part of the CFL Legends Luncheon is the presentation of the Alumnus of the Year Award which honours a local Alumnus who excelled on the field while also making positive post-career contributions in the community. In 2021, the CFLAA added the Indigenous Champion Award to the event in support of the CFL’s Diversity Is Strength strategy and the Truth and Reconciliation initiatives.
 
The award is intended to recognize former Indigenous CFL players and current advocates of Indigenous participants as players or coaches in the game of football.

The CFLAA Indigenous Champion Award has three key criteria:

• A former CFL player or CFL alumnus (as defined by the CFLAA) of Indigenous ancestry who made, or is making, significant contribution to football or the community; OR
• A coach of Indigenous ancestry who made, or is making, a significant grassroots contribution to the game of football; OR
• A coach who made, or is making, a positive impact on Indigenous football players at any level.

• Ideally, the recipient will come from the region in which the Grey Cup game is being played.

The inaugural presentation of the Indigenous Champion Award in 2021 had co-recipients: Jim Styres and Justin Shackell.
 
The CFLAA is pleased to announce that this year’s award will be presented to Neal Hughes, a Regina product of Metis heritage.
 
“Neal has consistently been a beacon for Indigenous people through his contributions during and after his wonderful career,” said Leo Ezerins, Executive Director of the CFLAA. “He continues to make a positive impact daily as a man, a father, a husband and a coach. The CFLAA is proud to bestow this honour to Neal.”
 
Born in Regina on July 2, 1980, Neal began his football journey in 1987 with Regina Minor Football (RMF) before moving on to the high school level with the Thom Trojans. He then suited up with the University of Regina Rams for five seasons before signing with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2004 as a free agent.

His 11-year tenure with the Riders included playing in four Grey Cup games with victories in 2007 and 2013. He was inducted into the University of Regina Sports Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Riders Plaza of Honour in 2019.
 
Hughes was involved with numerous charity and community events throughout Saskatchewan during his 11 seasons with the Riders. He was the Riders ambassador for the CFL’s Diversity Is Strength campaign in 2018.
 
Since retiring, Hughes has continued to be active as both a coach and a community leader.
 
He understands and appreciates that the Indigenous Champion Award is more than just about football and more than just a traditional sports award.
 
“The further you get along into your sporting career, the more you realize that it’s more than just about the game and that it’s about giving back and trying to help other kids succeed and love the game,” said Hughes. “The game gave so much to me and helped make me the person I am today. I’m now trying to do my best with the kids I coach, to help them fall in love with the game.”
 
Neal Hughes will be officially honoured at the 2022 CFL Legends Luncheon on Friday, November 18 at the Queensbury Centre in Regina, Sk.
 

(CFLAA, Leo Ezerins)