CFL, CIS team up for a celebration of football in 2007
Published on November 16, 2005 under Canadian Football League (CFL) News Release
Hamilton, Ontario - Canadian Interuniversity Sport and Ontario University Athletics in conjunction with the Canadian Football League announced today that the Vanier Cup will be moved from Hamilton to Toronto as part of the Grey Cup celebration in 2007.
"This is a great initiative for football fans and for Canadian football," said CFL Commissioner Tom Wright. "In a single weekend, with the Vanier Cup and the Grey Cup games, we will be showcasing the very best of this Canadian sport at both the amateur and professional levels. We are excited to be working with the Toronto Argonauts and the CIS to bring this national celebration of Canadian football to life in 2007."
The "Celebration of Football" will begin on Friday, November 23rd with the Vanier Cup, where the top two Canadian university football teams face off for the national championship. Two days later, the Grey Cup will take place matching the top two CFL teams.
"The Vanier Cup and Grey Cup weekend of football will be an unforgettable experience for CIS student-athletes, coaches and football fans," CIS Chief Executive Officer Marg McGregor remarked. "We look forward to showcasing the university championship and elevating the university sport brand."
The game was originally slated to be played in Hamilton at Ivor Wynne Stadium but will now take place at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.
"We are elated to host this fantastic weekend," Toronto Argonauts President and CEO Keith Pelley said. "The GTA and southern Ontario possesses the greatest football fans in the nation, and we're ecstatic to provide them with such a first class event, that brings together grassroots football with professional football."
The 2007 event will mark the 40th time the Vanier Cup final has been played in the city of Toronto.
"This move couldn't have happened without the support of Mayor Larry Di Ianni of Hamilton," said OUA president, David Dubois. "The 2007 Vanier Cup will set the standard for all events starting in Hamilton in 2008."
The 2008 Vanier Cup will be played as scheduled at Ivor Wynne Stadium on November 22nd.
"Hamilton has been a great home for many world-class sporting events in the past and will continue to do so with the 2005 Desjardins Vanier Cup on December 3rd and the 2006 CIS men's volleyball championship," said Hamilton Mayor Larry Di Ianni. "We are very much looking forward to hosting the Vanier Cup again in 2008."
Toronto Argonauts season ticket holders will be able to purchase their tickets early on Wednesday, December 1. A waiting list will be in place for the general public as of Monday, November 21 at www.cflgreycup.ca/toronto or 416-341-ARGO. The tickets will be sold as a combination package allowing entrance to both events in the lower bowl sections, with ticket prices beginning at $229. Tickets will be sold individually for both events in the upper bowl.
About the Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League (CFL) operates in nine leading cities across Canada. Building on a strong past toward a stronger future, the CFL celebrates Canada's game with fans across the nation. The 93rd Grey Cup will be played in Vancouver, British Columbia on November 27, 2005. For additional information, visit www.cfl.ca.
About the CIS
Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada. 51 universities, 10,000 student-athletes and 550 coaches vie for 19 national championships in 11 different sports. CIS also provides high performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades, and numerous world university championships. For all the CIS news and info, please visit: www.universitysport.ca
About the OUA
Comprised of 18 institutions, Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is the governing body of university sport in Ontario. Each year 9,000 student-athletes compete for 40 provincial championships in 24 sports. For more information on Ontario University Athletics, please visit our web site at www.oua.ca.
Canadian Football League Stories from November 16, 2005
- Fleming, Montford and Wiltshire earn Rogers CFL Player of the Week honours - Edmonton Elks
- Tis the season for giving Bomber gifts - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Calvillo nominated for Tom Pate Award - Montreal Alouettes
- Anthony Calvillo named Offensive player of the Week - Montreal Alouettes
- Rogers CFL Players of the Week - CFL
- Argonauts sign David Porter - Toronto Argonauts
- 2007 Grey Cup awarded to Toronto - CFL
- CFL, CIS team up for a celebration of football in 2007 - CFL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
