Bitter Sweet

This weekend the Argonauts make their second trip to the Atlantic Coast. The hope of expanding the CFL coast to coast is not far from a reality. For that I am quite excited, however many people in the Argonauts' front office made the trip out east while some of us stayed behind. This is what made me feel excluded. A feeling I can only compare to a time in the late 80's when our rebuilding team was heading out to BC to play in a Grey Cup against the Edmonton Eskimos. I stood around watching the team pack and even assisted in the packing but knew I wasn't going or so it seemed. I planned to work on my homework and while I was preparing to watch the team during the weekend, my family knew that the team had made a collection to get me out to BC for the weekend. My family couldn't keep it from me because they wanted me to finish my homework before Friday and pack my luggage. The cat was out of the bag but thanks to the Air Canada union, all flights out of Toronto were grounded due to a workers strike. The trip would never be.

This week as I watched everyone prepare for the trip and talk about the community events that would be happening in Moncton(a position that I manage, I couldn't help but feeling left out, especially hearing about a "team dinner" that I and some others would not attend.

As sad as that was there is a good reason that I'm not going. It's to be a part of a community occurrence just North of Toronto for an important program. This weekend Tim Hortons has arranged to have the three new football teams added through the teamwork of the Argonauts and Tim Hortons, to go to their camp in Parry Sound. It is here that we will be spending time with the players and coaches to develop teamwork and camaraderie between the players and the Argonauts. On Sunday we will all watch the Boatmen take on the Eskies on TV. So although I may have felt as though I wasn't part of the team going to Moncton, it is all for the greater good of helping youth share in an experience they will long remember for years to come.

Read the next blog to see just what went on this weekend in Parry Sound.

A Loss but AWin Evens Out

You might be thinking, what in the world does that mean. In the world of Jason Colero, Community Relations Manager yes the last game the team played was a loss, but today September 15th we brought a smile to about 150 students grades 9-12 and if you ask them if the team they met today are known as losers, right now they would tell you not in a million years. Today we brought joy to the students at Sir Robert l. Borden, Thistletown Collegiate and Downsview Secondary school by bringing their football team back after almost 30 years for a couple of the schools. As I scrambled around to make sure the microphone was working, the inflatables looked good and there were enough media that wanted to hear, I had to stop and realize why I was part of this. It came to me when one of the players that was dressed in clothing that would make some people believe he was up to nothing positive, or as some refer to it as a "gangsta" look, came up to me and simply shook my hand and said thanks. Who kows what went through his head when he saw me running frantically to make sure we had everyone ready for a jersey presentation. At the end of the day, whether its a 350 lb intimidating Defensive lineman from the Toronto Argonauts, or a tough looking grade 10 high school football player, the sport of football is one that has people from any walk of life playing on a team for a common goal. These kids surely get it and they know that our guys also get it. Today our one vision became one shared by many and now my fun begins at seeing the rewards of our labours.

Labour Day Classic or Massacre

If you are reading this blog you were directed here from the Community Corner Blog on the argonauts site. I spoke about the truly nice things that we shared with those rivals down the QEW. just less than a week from now is the most exciting time in the CFL season. Labour Day. For most kids, summer was coming to an end and Labour Day was sad because it was the last day of summer, last day of the CNE and the day when the Jerry Lewis Telethon covered TV and it was time to get back to a regular sleep schedule heading back to school. For me it was quite different, I was excited because it wa the midpoint of the season but more importantly as a youngster and ball boy it was my road trip to Ivor Wynne Stadium. Yes it was only an hour or so down the QEW but to me it was a chance to experience an away game. Probably in a place where the Double Blue were hated the most. At the age of 15 I was lucky to experience the way the Tiger Cat fans expressed their true feelings about us in two words,"ARGOS SUCK".

The beginning of the day was highlighted by our entrance into the visitors dressing room to unpack. Things have changed but we were lucky enough to have a few oscillating fans keeping us cool in a hot and humid room. We put the Defence in a room in the far back while the Offence was lucky enough to be close to the equipment staff. After all the O-line saw that as an advantage beacsue they used to drink coffee by the pot before a game. As soon as we were set up it was lunch time. We would have to trek down Balsam Ave to the local McDonalds where we actually were given dirty looks. Sheesh talk about customer service, oh yeah we had our team golf shirt on. I was still proud and wouldnt take it off for no one. As soon as we finished our lunch and had time to toss the ball for a little until the offensive lineman arrived early. The gametime was set for 7:30 onmost Labour Days. As soon as the team bus would arrive from the CNE stadium, it would become quite the intense battle. I would be so pumped up. It was 1987 and going into the game we had a bit of a slump and needed a turning point in a hurry. The action was a little lopsided in the first half and the "Argos Suck" echoed the stadium. Including a few items thrown down at us. Fast forward to the last play on the game. Gilbert Renfroe heroically scored a TD with no time on the clock to win the game and begin our quest. We managed to use that as a catapult into a few more wins eventually making an unexpected appearance at the Grey Cup. Both teams went into that Labour Day game somewhat evenly matched but one team came out on top as the hero. Labour day games were filled with intensity on and off the field. Regardless, thats only one of my fondest memories at Ivor Wynne. There are many more but the other day I had thought about the notion that the Ticats may leave the city of Hamilton. This for me was disturbing as I'm sure it is for the many fans that share memories of the labour day match up in Hamilton. It wont be the same anywhere else. I hope to see more memories formed in Hamilton.

Training Campppppp

I've been involved in almost 13 training camps. I sympathize with those involved because I know what they are going through. Long hours and monotonous work but mostly an eagerness to oput 2009 behind you and start this year. As an assistant equipment manager, I was drained mentally and physically. In 1995, our last training camp at Guelph University, I left for my University graduation and recall being nudged during the ceremony because I dozed off.

I think the most difficult thing for me was seperating personal feelings from what we refer to as the "nature of professional sport". There was a time and era when the equipment staff was responsible for knocking on the players door in the morning and if a player was on a list of those that are on the released transactions, the player was told the coach wants to see you with your playbook.

On particular day I knocked on a door, however the door was opened and I had to tell the player face to face the dreaded words. Once I spoke the words it was evident that he had not much of a fall back plan because he teared up and put his hands in his head.

I had to try hard not to get involved and talk to him because I had always been told that there are alot of released players and through my career there will be many more. Players deal with the news differently, some are prepared others direct their anger to staff and those that bare the news. Next blog I'll talk about the way someone dealt with the news that warranted a phone call gto the Guelph police.

The day before

Tomorrow is our Foundation fund raiser. We'll have Dan Hill performing along with supporters of the Foundation. I hope that we raise some funds to encourage survival of all our incredible programs. For me my day begins at 6:00 when I have to go to the practice facility to pick up our newest edition Jermaine Copeland. The advantage I have is to talk to him and find out the type of charitable events he likes and to get him to sign some memorabilia for donations.

I truly think that it might be a long day, however I'm doing what I enjoy the best so the adrenaline will take me to the end. then I do it all over on Friday. It's going to start to get pretty busy the next few days and I'm sure I'll have alot to say on the blog. With my first Level the Playing field meeting, the first day of training camp and a visit of young kids to practice.

Stay tuned.

In the Beginning........

I am pretty excited to be finally doing this. I have already benn writing a blog on the argonauts website and although its not as often as I'd like, it is still rewarding to share my experiences. I would have expected more comments on some of the things I talked about but I'm not sure why I've only recieved a few including a response having nothing to do with the blog but rather an attack on our off season changes.

Guess thats expected.

I started with the Argonauts at the age of 14 as a water boy helping the team with the locker room duties. I gradually moved into a variety of positions spending a majority of my Argo tenure under the guidance of Equipment Manager, Danny Webb.
Last year I, as well as Danny celebrated our 25th year with the team. I reflected on where I have come from a 14 year old boy a victim of bullying, just wishing to put on a football helmet in a Toronto high school to now being able to share my stories with students across the GTA accompanied by members of the Toronto Argonauts. I have had an opportunity to manage and facilitate, the Argo Recess, Level the Playing Field and Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program, all of which are making an impact in the lives of youth.
Many have told me that I should document my life behind the scenes and particularly with these programs. Often people have said that the Argonauts have made an impact in many lives, however very few have realized how those we come in contact with through all our community work have affected us in many ways.

This blog will be my current experiences with the team and memoirs of my 26 years.

I hope you find this as enjoyable as I will.

Thanks for reading.