By François Ferland,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Montreal – With all that the Montreal Alouettes have accomplished in the 15 years of their second go-around with the CFL, one would have enough to write a book – a documentary even.
When the Als open their season this coming July 1 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina, they’ll be doing so as Grey Cup Champions and three weeks later, on July 22 to be exact, when the Als play their first game in front of their home crowd, they’ll be doing so in a revamped McGill Stadium.
What better way to mark the team’s 15th anniversary?
The main characters of an inspiring story
Yes, a lot has happened since that day in February 1996, when, in a CFL governors meeting it was ultimately confirmed that the Baltimore Stallions would trade their blue, white and silver for the red, white and blue of the Montreal Alouettes.
That important decision was headed by then league commissioner and now Als’ President and CEO, Larry Smith.
Smith, a native Montrealer and former Alouette running back from 1972-80, was absolutely convinced that a second attempt at a team in Montreal would prove to be a profitable endeavour for the CFL.
His determination, despite all the obstacles thrown his way, remained unscathed.
Several months into the 1997 season, a time where the Als were on life support financially, Smith – still commissioner of the league – approached a renowned businessman named Robert Wetenhall in hopes of convincing him to purchase the Als.
Not only was Wetenhall extremely interested in purchasing the team, but he held the same feelings regarding bringing Smith with him along the way.
The following season, the Als went through some unlikely trials that would propel them to the ranks of winners.
Having been forced to play a playoff game at McGill Stadium thanks to a U2 concert at the Big O – their home since returning to the CFL – the Als found themselves with the advantage over their playoff opponent BC Lions, a team that regularly played inside a dome.
After winning in such fine fashion, the Als opted to continue playing at McGill Stadium a venue that once witnessed Montreal football legends such as Sam Etcheverry, Hal Patterson and George Dixon to name a few.
They never looked back.
Thanks to Bono and The Edge, season ticket sales have increased with every winning season, and this year, as defending champions, though there have been some improvements to the century-old Montreal sports field, one should expect no less from fans.
And all along this journey, Smith has been there the entire way.
In a public appearance recently, Smith, who was speaking in front of the Pharmaceutical Marketing Club of Quebec alongside quarterback Anthony Calvillo, stressed how the joys of success are usually preceded by loads of hard work.
After telling the crowd on hand about how he arrived to where he is today in his career, Calvillo was among those who left extremely impressed.
“I really enjoyed his story, it was a great experience,” said Calvillo.
Smith’s journey with the Alouettes has been 15 years in the making… here’s to 15 more.
