The End of an Era

Today marks the last day for a Labour Day game to be played at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton Ontario. I spent 25 Labour Days at Ivor Wynne stadium. While many of my friends and relatives spent their Labour day Monday watching the Jerry Lewis Telethon or the Air show at the CNE, I worked the Labour Day game amongst all the Hamilton fans that welcomed the "double Blue" with the well known "Argos Suck" chant. I thought I would share my first memorable experience at Ivor Wynne, Labour Day Classic as a tribute to the end of a great era in sports history.            

  My first memorable trip to Ivor Wynne for the Labour Day Classic was in 1987. The tension was thick because just 10 months before this game, the Tiger Cats swooped into Exhibition Stadium and came back from a 32 point deficit in a two game total point playoff series to beat us 33-32. The Tiger Cats went on to win the Cup that year so they had complete confidence or I should say arrogance about them.

We weren't in the best position in the standings and we were defined as a rebuilding team. We lost games in such a manner that made it feel that way. We were 4-4 and 1 going into the classic while the Tiger Cats were 6-3. We needed a win and we hadn't won a Labour Day game in Hamilton since 1968.

As I pushed the equipment trunk across the field for the prep of the game all I could hear was "Argos Suck". I thought back to what it was like at the stadium a few hours before that. It was like any other road trip. The fans made it different.
Just 4 hours before that the stadium was a quiet place with the weather a nice warm and humid afternoon. The game was a night game so we had less heat to worry about, however you can still see the ash from the Dofasco plant slightly layered on the field. You knew you were in Hamilton and it was the calm before the storm. As players rolled into the room you could smell the coffee brewing that the offensive lineman would drink as religiously as they drank the gatorade during the game. I did my usual prep for a game and as the clock got closer to the game the stands began to fill and the players made less polite conversation. There were less hand shakes, less pats on the back and less "how are you feeling" "things good at home?" "Have a good game." Now there was glaring, trash talk and alot of shouting at teammates to "Get Hype".

Every play in the game followed alot of yelling and heckling. The bench area was so close to the stands you could hear a person sip their beer in between "Schultzie you suck!".  As the game went on, it was starting to appear that the Ticats would add yet another loss to our rebuilding season but the drama would shock all the 24,770 that were there to see a back and forth battle. The Ticats were leading 19-18 with less than a minute. Gilbert Renfroe would make a number of completions to take the ball to the 1 with 1 second remaining.

A quick run down the gap by Running back Tony Johns put the winning touch down on the board and we were victorious. I ran around the bench in such a frenzy and remember getting a coke thrown on me by a fan in the front row. I didn't care and when CBC had shown high lights of the win, there I was running towards the camera. It would be another 5 Labour day games before we won one.

In my 25 Labour Day games I was part of the winner for only 8. So you can see how that game wasn't one I enjoyed being a part of, however I know that I will miss the hype and the passion that the fans brought to every game we played at Ivor Wynne, especially the game that was the last day of the summer holidays and the Labour day Classic.

I'll have to save some of the hairier stories for my book.

The 1971 Argonaut's Family

It was July 7th and I walked into the RC for my assignment that day, help the 71 team feel at home. Something I actually looked forward to. You see I had only heard stories over 13 years ago when my Dad was alive. He used to tell me about the days he used to watch his Argos. He used to tell me how they worked hard to bring Toronto a Grey Cup after such a long time of not being in the cup.

So as soon as I began this job with the Argonauts 28 years ago, I was already excited to be a part of the legacy. It was just last year that I was given the role of being the alumni liaison between the team and its alumni. From that point I had realized how important alumni were to this organization. they were there during the good years and the bad years and they were always talking about the Double Blue with pride whenever asked. Even when at times some may have felt slighted by the team or didn't agree with what was happening around the team, they still came around.

Saturday was truly enjoyable. I enjoyed seeing the 200 people lined up for autographs and not just those that may have seen the 71 team play but even youth that were teens or even younger. What a sight to see even a younger generation appreciate these athletes who played when a million dollar salary was unheard of in the entire world.

When those autographs were over it was nice to see the guys get together for something they all had in common, the love of football and more specifically, the Argos. As the score changed and the Argos took the lead you, can sense a hop in their step as they made their way to the half-time celebration.

They all made sure that no one was left behind as they waited for each other by the elevator to make their way down. When they saw their Coach, Leo Cahill, they all made sure he was okay and had a place to sit. Once they made it out to the centre field they waved in pride as their names were announced. Walking back to the elevators they walked by the current Argos waving, shaking hands with players that weren't even born when these guys wore uniforms similar to the ones they wear today. Despite the lack of connection, it still seemed as though no matter the age difference there was still that mutual respect.

71 Argonaut Family

As the game neared the end and the score was tied, the alumni rose to their feet to watch the final seconds. Joining the 71 team in the box was 83' Grey Cup champion Steve Ackroyd and I truly enjoyed the delight in Steve's voice when he told me how he was so honoured to be able to be with the guys that inspired him to play. What made me most content was seeing the camaraderie that these players shared. It was the same camaraderie I saw at the 91 reunion last year and the same camaraderie that other Argo teams have shared and still share. It made me think of family, which brought me back to my memory of my dad, who passed away in 1999. He told me what a special team the Argos had and when I began working for the team I started to see it. Now on July 7th I understood what made them so special, it was the sense of family they all shared. I later found out that I had the privilege of being with the 71 team and ironically when I was one the poster of Joe Theismann and the '71 Argos hung over my crib. I was part of the family long before I ever knew. Now that I am a part of it, I am thankful for it.

Home Opener....Countdown

Home Opener just 4 days away. We kick off our home season against the Calgary Stampeders. Today I was talking with a few colleagues about the significance of a home opener and it took me back to one of my most memorable. 1991 against the Hamilton Tiger Cats. I was an Equipment assistant and I knew that the year ahead would be quite exciting.

There was a tremendous buzz around the "SkyDome" at the time and after a training camp where the Argos made headlines everywhere including south of the border, it could only get better. While the players got a good night sleep, I went to the private party at the Horseshoe Tavern where the "Blues Brothers" gave VIPs a sneak preview to what was coming up the next day.

I went to the party with the other Equipment assistant, Joey, and we walked around the bar looking at all the who's who of the team and their associates. My turned every which way trying to catch a glimpse and perhaps be able to bump into our new owners, specifically, John Candy. I thought to myself how great it would be to be able to chat about the "Great Outdoors" or "Uncle Buck". Most of all I wanted to thank him for bringing back the electricity to the Argos.

The night was young but I had ruled out the fact that I would get to meet him. I began to chat with a nice lady who asked me what i did for the team. When I explained I was one of the locker room helpers, she seemed interested. I told her how excited I was that we had Bruce McNall, Wayne Gretzky and John Candy as new owners and how it would be amazing to be able to meet them. She then said come with me and head towards none other than John Candy. All I could think was that this lady had a lot of guts to just take us over. When we arrived to see John standing with a drink in his hand chatting with someone in a deep conversation, I was startled to hear this lady interrupt John in his conversation. When she claimed how we worked  with the team and said how we were excited to meet him he turned to face us then put his arm around this lady and asked us who we were. When he found out my nickname was affectionately "Sui" he giggled and said that it was a pleasure to meet us and told us not to hesitate to chat whenever we wanted.

That lady was Rose Candy, John's wife and thanks to Rose I got a chance to meet our new owner and realized that I would have plenty of chances to chat about Uncle Buck or the Great Outdoors because we were now part of the same team.

So the next day amongst all the hype and the performance of the Blues Brothers, I thought to myself how now in front of that 35,000 plus crowd, our owner was getting people excited to be an Argo again.

That was one of my favourite home openers in my 28 years. Hope that Saturday will bring back some of that excitement.

A March Break that Changed my life

I was in Grade 9 at Runnymede Collegiate and had just finished the first semester leading to the March break. A year earlier, my friends and I had attended a leadership camp designed to prepare students to work with the City of Toronto Parks and Rec. A few of my friends that had attended this camp, received phone calls regarding summer employment. As I sat at the kitchen table asking my mom why I wasn't called, I began to question my worthiness as I always had. I once again linked my friends success to the fact that they were taller than me and looked more like grade nine students. It didn't help that just less than 6 months earlier I was victimized through bullying actions on my high school team because of my 4' stature.

My mom, God rest her soul, did everything she could to make me feel as though things weren't as bad as they seemed. My concern was that it was going to be one of those boring summers. Hanging out at the park and perhaps causing trouble while mooching money off my parents.

In the midst of her cleaning the house I remember her asking me what I wanted to do. I decided at that point that what I had always dreamed about was to be the ball boy on the Argo sidelines that got to catch for Condredge Holloway or give a towel to Terry Greer. When I spoke of this my mom said that it wouldn't hurt to call. So after some convincing I opened up the Yellow Pages. Right under the sports area were the Toronto Argonauts Football Club-(416) 595-9600. I decided to call and make an inquiry.

My hands were shaking., my voice crackling but I would muster all the esteem I could to show that I wanted this bad.
"Good Afternoon, Toronto Argonauts Football Club",

"Hello, I am calling to see if there would be any way that I could apply for a job on the sidelines with the Toronto Argonauts". The lady on the other end replied immediately as though this were a regular ask.

"Sure let me put you through to Jeff Howe our Equipment Manager".

I looked at my Mom who paused her cleaning to give me an approving nod.

"Jeff Howe, Equipment room."

"Hi Jeff, my name is Jason Colero and I am calling because I am interested in getting a job as a ball boy with you guys."

"Well, Jason we don't know who is coming back next season so its hard to tell whats available." "If you were to call back in a little while I'll know better." "How old are you?"

"I'm 14 and in grade nine."

"OK. Give us a call in a little while and we'll see what goes on."

"Thanks for your time Mr. Howe and congrats on a great season. I listened to the East Final on the radio."

"Well we'll be back at er next year." "Have a good one Jason."

"You too and talk to you soon."

After hanging up, I jumped out of the chair and said to my mom,"He said to call back. He said to call back." That March break turned out to be one of the best of my life, because as the story goes, I got the call back and the rest is history.

Thanks mom. That little nod of encouragement was life changing.