By François Ferland
MontrealAlouettes.com
Montreal – Ray Lalonde held a rallying speech Wednesday during the press conference at which he was named the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the Montreal Alouettes. As part of his speech, Mr. Lalonde underlined the importance of maintaining strong relationships with the organization’s clientele, both fans and business partners alike. “The future of this team will pass through its fans,” said Lalonde, “and we will react accordingly.”
Maintaining the tradition of excellence
Football is something that Ray Lalonde not only knows very well, but also holds a longtime interest in. “When I was young I used to dream of one day playing for the Alouettes,” he said. “One of my earliest Als memories is that of Sonny Wade leading the team to a Grey Cup. I also have the unforgettable memory of the team’s 1977 Grey Cup victory over the Edmonton Eskimos, which was played on a frozen field at Olympic Stadium. My favourite player was Johnny Rodgers, and the first game that I watched live was against Winnipeg in 1974, a game that I still have the ticket stub for.”
Mr. Lalonde’s dream of one day sporting the Alouettes’ colours was sparked by the years he spent playing football himself, beginning with the St. Joseph Seminary Vert et Or in Trois-Rivières, and later with the McGill Redmen. “And now I’m working for the Alouettes,” said Lalonde. “I could not be happier.”
Mr. Lalonde also received a rich experience both on and off the field when he worked under the legendary Joe Paterno as part of the Nittany Lions’ coaching staff at Penn State University. Furthermore, rich from the experience that he gained while working for the Montreal Canadiens over the past decade, Mr. Lalonde intends to increase the level of importance that the Alouettes are accorded both in CFL history, and across Quebec.
“We have the best General Manager in the league in Jim Popp, the best Head Coach in Marc Trestman and the best Quarterback in Anthony Calvillo. Additionally the Alouettes have become an undeniable force over the past decade due to the work of Bob Wetenhall and Larry Smith, and I plan on maintaining that tradition of excellence.”
