For Immediate Release:
November 24, 2021
Since 2008 The CFL Alumni Association (CFLAA) has recognized an Alumni Member who has made outstanding contributions to their football community.
That tradition proudly continued today as CFLAA Executive Director Leo Ezerins announced that Bob Krouse and Jason Riley have been selected as the 2021 CFLAA Alumnus of the Year.
“The CFLAA Alumnus of the Year Award honours former players
who have consistently made a positive impact in their local communities over the years,” said Leo Ezerins. “For many years, Bob and Jason have made a positive impact in their community and to the game they love.”
Bob Krouse played with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats from 1963 to 1975. A defensive standout, Bob was a four-time Grey Cup Champion and a CFL All-Star.
Off the field, Bob was a founding member of the Tiger-Cat alumni association, a team scout and a member of the Tiger-Cats Wall of Honour and Walk of Fame.
Bob, who is also a Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame inductee, shared his passion for sports by coaching both football and basketball at the high school and university level.
“Giving back to the community is one of the greatest gifts one can share and I still get thanks from former students and athletes whom I gave extra time to,” said Bob Krouse. “It is a great honour to be selected as the CFLAA Alumnus of the Year with my fellow Tiger-Cat Alumnus, Jason Riley”.
Jason Riley was originally a first round pick of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 1983 CFL Draft. During his 11-year CFL career, Jason spent time with Winnipeg, Saskatchewan and Hamilton.
A graduate of UBC, Jason was recognized for his outstanding play along the offensive line earning CFL All-Star honours in 1989 and four Eastern All-Star nominations.
Jason is a member of the CFLAA Board of Directors and has earned many honours for his dedication to community service. In addition to coaching minor sports, Jason has been the offensive line coach at McMaster University since 1996.
“Being recognized as CFLAA Alumnus of the Year is a huge honour and I am humbled by the fact that I was chosen by my peers to receive it,” said Jason Riley. “The fact that I am being recognized beside Hamilton Tiger-Cats Wall of Honour member, Bob Krouse, makes it even more incredible for me.”
Bob Krouse and Jason Riley will be officially honored at the CFLAA Legends Luncheon will be held on December 10th at the End Zone Bar and Grill in Hamilton. Tickets can be purchased through the Hamilton Tiger-cats Alumni htcaa@bell.net, the CFL Alumni Association or online at https://canadian-football-league-cfl-alumni-association.square.site/.
About the CFLAA
The CFLAA supports former CFL players, Canadian football and other communities of interest while fostering collaborative relationships with the CFL stakeholders and others that enhance the well-being of our members and friends.
To become a member and receive the numerous benefits and support programs the CFLAA offers visit CFLAA.ca.
CFLAA Contact:
Leo Ezerins
Executive Director, CFL Alumni Association
leo@cflaa.ca
1-905-464-0007
2021 Alumnus of the Year Bios
BOB KROUSE
Born: February 21, 1943 (age 78) in Hamilton, Ontario
College: Central Collegiate High School
CFL Career
Player: 1963–1975 with Hamilton Tiger-Cats
No: 14
Position: LB
Scout: Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Career highlights and awards
East All-Star: 1967
Honours:
- Grey Cup champion – 1963, 1965, 1967, 1972
- Tiger-Cat Wall of Honour Inductee
- Tiger-Cat Walk of Fame Inductee
Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Notes: Bob was a champion athlete in track and field and football at Hamilton Central Secondary School. Krouse joined the Tiger-Cats directly from Central High School in Hamilton
Post Career:
Hamilton Tiger-cats Alumni Association
- Founding member in 1986
- Has been a board member since inception
Tiger-Cat High School Evaluation Camp
- Evaluator/Coordinator
Amateur Coach:
- Bob coached for over four decades in High School football and basketball, as well as University and College football.
JASON RILEY
Born: October 4, 1958 (age 63) in Scarborough, Ontario
College: University of British Columbia
CFL Career
CFL Draft Drafted in 1983 – 7th overall pick in Round: 1 by Winnipeg
Player: 1983 – Winnipeg Blue Bombers
1984 – Saskatchewan Roughriders
1984–1993 – Hamilton Tiger-Cats
No: 58
Position: OG
Career highlights and awards
CFL All-Star 1989
CFL East All-Star 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992
Awarded the Charlotte Simmons Humanitarian Award in 1987
Inducted into the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Walk of Fame in 1995
Inducted into the UBC Thunderbirds Football Wall of Honour in 2019
Named CIAU All-Canadian in 1981 and 1982
Post Career:
- McMaster Offensive Line Coach – 1996 to present
- Amateur/Community Coach – Soccer, hockey, volleyball. high school football,
- Coordinated the Up Front Offensive Line Development Camp
- Named Master Instructor Offensive Line by the (OFC) Ontario Football Conference in 2010
- In 2006 Received the McMaster University ‘Friends of Distinction Award’ for his dedication to sport, University athletics and the pursuit of excellence
- 1982 UBC Thunderbirds team was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2012 (this team was also recognized as the best university team in history by TSN)
Other Community Involvement
- Former member of the Hamilton Spectator Community Editorial Board
- President of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Alumni Association (HTCAA) Board of Directors 2016-18
- Joined Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ Tiger Town Council in 2019
- CFLAA Board of Directors as representative of the HTCAA since 2019
- Active member of the HTCAA since retiring from CFL
Canadian Football League Alumni Association Alumnus of the Year
Background:
The inaugural CFL Alumni Association Man of the Year award was presented in 2008 at an exclusive alumni event during Canadian Football Hall of Fame Weekend (first time in Winnipeg) at the Manitoba Club.
A nominee from each Alumni Association was submitted to the CFLAA Board of Directors. The Board unanimously selected Sam Etchevery.
Unfortunately, Sam passed two weeks before the event. The award was presented to his brother, Steve Etcheverry, by Paul Robson. The event’s emcee was Wade Miller.
In 2010 the Board decided to have the local Alumni Association of the host Grey Cup city make the selection for the award to be presented at the CFLAA Legends Luncheon.
The CFLAA Board renamed the CFLAA Man of the Year to CFLAA Alumnus of the year.
The recepitients are honored each year at the CFLAA Legends Luncheon during Grey Cup week.
2021 Event Details:
This year the CFLAA Legends Luncheon will be held on December 10th, from 11AM – 4 PM at the End Zone Bar and Grill, 1305 Main St. East in Hamilton.
Tickets are $175 +HST which includes a meal and open bar.
For further information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.cflaa.ca/cflaa-legends-luncheon-2021/
For more information contact ed@cflaa.ca or joe@cflaa.ca
Award Criteria:
- Former Player
- Successful post career transition
- Past and/or currently involved in local Alumni Association and/or CFL Alumni Association
- Actively involved in the community and charitable causes
- Supports the local football club and the Canadian Football League
Past Award Winners:
2009 – Sam “The Rifle” Etcheverry (Montreal)* Posthumously
2010 – Bayne Norrie (Edmonton)
2011 – Norm Fieldgate (BC)
2012 – Don Durno (Toronto)
2013 – George Reed and Carm Carteri (Saskatchewan)
2014 – Lui Passaglia (BC)
2015 – Wade Miller and Paul Robson (Winnipeg)
2016 – Michael “Pinball” Clemons and Peter Martin (Toronto)
2017 – Russ Jackson and Jeff Avery (Ottawa)
2018- Hector Pothier and Brian Fryer (Edmonton)
2019 – Tony Spoletini (Calgary)
2020 – Not Awarded due to COVID
2021 – Bob Krouse and Jason Riley
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