On March 3, 2014 the City of Edmonton Community Services Committee met to address reports from City Administration regarding (1) a medium rectangular sports field strategy, and, (2) renewal of the turf at Clarke Stadium.

If you have not been following the discussions, City Administration is recommending that the new turf be installed with permanent soccer lines. Football lines will be painted on as needed. This has been advocated primarily by FC Edmonton (owned by Tom and Dave Fath of Fath Industries/O’Hanlon Paving), which is Edmonton’s professional soccer team.

The football community is opposed to this recommendation because of concerns about the lines being painted on. The painting of lines is dependent on weather, which could cause an issue particularly in the late fall, meaning that it is not guaranteed there will be lines for all games. This affects Junior Football the most as the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) has strict guidelines as to the field requirements.

A recent survey conducted by the City showed that over 70% of respondents were not in favour of the Administrations recommendation.

The attached report represents the position of Junior Football with respect to the City Administration position.
Click Here

Following are the reports from City Administration:

Business Models, Stadium Options and Needs Assessment for Soccer and Field Sports in Edmonton:
http://sirepub.edmonton.ca/sirepub/cache/2/1egbniztirgmpzjsjmp2faxx/3053130303201406574846.PDF

Medium Size Stadium Strategy:
http://sirepub.edmonton.ca/sirepub/cache/2/1egbniztirgmpzjsjmp2faxx/30531403032014070115980.PDF

Clarke Field Artificial Turf Renewal:
http://sirepub.edmonton.ca/sirepub/cache/2/1egbniztirgmpzjsjmp2faxx/3053150303201407021920.PDF

If you have any concerns, or simply want to add your voice as a “football-first for Clarke” supporter, we strongly encourage you to let your Ward Councillor be made aware of how you feel. Here is the listing of Councillors:

Ward 1 – Andrew Knack; andrew.knack@edmonton.ca
Ward 2 – Bev Esslinger; bev.esslinger@edmonton.ca
Ward 3 – Dave Loken; dave.loken@edmonton.ca
Ward 4 – Ed Gibbons; ed.gibbons@edmonton.ca
Ward 5 – Michael Oshry; michael.oshry@edmonton.ca
Ward 6 – Scott McKeen; scott.mckeen@edmonton.ca
Ward 7 – Tony Caterina; tony.caterina@edmonton.ca
Ward 8 – Ben Henderson; ben.henderson@edmonton.ca
Ward 9 – Bryan Anderson; bryan.anderson@edmonton.ca
Ward 10 – Michael Walters; michael.walters@edmonton.ca
Ward 11 – Mike Nikel; mike.nickel@edmonton.ca
Ward 12 – Amarjeet Sohi; amarjeet.sohi@edmonton.ca
Mayor – Don Iveson; [twitter]: https://twitter.com/doniveson

The 2014 Advancement Camp will be held March 16 at the Commonwealth Field House from 9am-1pm. Registration is $50 and includes a pair of Edmonton Wildcats shorts.

This camp is primarily for those athletes who are planning on attending the Senior Bowl North Camp and or the U18 camp in the spring. It is a one day highly intense and active morning that allows the participants to work side by side with our players to get ready for the camps that follow in April.

Helmets and shoulder pads should be provided by the players high school. The main focus of the camp will be individual skill development, and the Wildcats are extremely excited to have our current staff plus the 8 former Wildcats, and current CFL players available for the day.

Over the last decade we have provided many opportunities for athletes to reach their goals. This is an open camp for any of your elite players, regardless of whether the player has signed or committed to a CIS school the opportunity to prepare for the camps with our players will be one that is highly beneficial.

Click here to register.

The Edmonton Wildcats are hosting our First Annual Alumni Appreciation Night on April 12th at On The Rocks Edmonton!

The evening will be emceed by Wildcat Alumnus and current Edmonton Eskimo Ryan King, and will consist of a silent auction, live band, and a chance to reconnect with old teammates, coaches, and staff!

Date: April 12, 2014 at 7:00pm
Location: On The Rocks Edmonton (11740 Jasper Ave NW)
Tickets: $10 each Must be purchased in advance
Tickets include cover, no line, and one beverage. Must be 18+

Tickets will be available for purchase at the following times and locations:
February 25 8-9pm: Commonwealth Field House
March 16 9am-1pm: Commonwealth Field House
April 5 Noon-2pm: West Edmonton Christian Assembly
April 8 8-9pm: Commonwealth Field House

If none of these dates work for you, please contact Meghann at communications@edmontonwildcats.com and another time can be coordinated.

Please join our Facebook Event, where any announcements regarding the Alumni Night will be posted. Click here to join.

We hope to see you there!

It is with sincerest regrets that the Edmonton Wildcat Football Club advises our football family and fans of the passing of our long-time General Manager Al Park. “Big Al”, as he was affectionately called, was not only the team’s General Manager for over 14 years but more importantly a mentor, advisor, confidante, and friend to hundreds of players, coaches, volunteers and Board members for all those years … and of course an unbelievably organized administrator.

The tag “Big” didn’t necessarily apply to physical stature – although he would be tough to knock over if you tried! – but more for the size of his heart. Big Al was always there for everyone and no one was left out. Big Al made sure everyone was a welcomed and valued member of the Wildcat family and the football community.

Although his presence will be missed, the mark he left on the team will last forever and Big Al will always be with us.

We extend heartfelt condolences to the Park family.

Sit back and watch over us Big Al, take a nice long rest – you earned it. There aren’t enough dictionaries nor Thesauruses to come with the appropriate words to acknowledge what you meant to all of us so we will simply say “Thank You”.

Once A Wildcat … Always A Wildcat.

NOTE: If you have any memories, recollection, stories and/or anecdotes concerning Big Al you would like to share please forward them to communications@edmontonwildcats.com so we can put them together for all to enjoy.

David Fennell (“Doctor Death”) was an Edmonton Eskimo from 1974-1983, and was a significant contributor to the Esks defensive line (known as “Alberta Crude”) during the dynasty years. He was the 1978 Schenley Most Outstanding Defensive Player winner, All-Western and All-Canadian champ for five years in a row, and was inducted to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1990. Dave played for one season with the Wildcats!

Source:CFL Scrapbook

Edmonton Wildcat alumni Jack Rutherford (1951-1952) presents Club President John Wojcicki a very special award presented to Sanford Payne in 1974 for his significant contribution to Junior Football in Canada. Sanford’s son Wynn discovered the plaque recently and donated it back to the Wildcats for the Clubhouse.

Sanford Payne’s contribution to the Wildcats began in 1960 as the team transitioned from the Maple Leaf Athletic Club to the Edmonton Wildcat Football Club. The changeover was organized by alumni Noel Bryson, Jim Plasteras, Dan Dyer, and Jack Rutherford. They soon discovered that while they knew football as a sport, they needed assistance in running a football team. Noel Bryson knew Sanford, who was the Office Manager at Loveseths’ (an automobile service company) and reached out to him to help manage the club. Sanford’s leadership and business acumen gave the Wildcats the strength that they needed to get rolling as an independent organization. The Wildcats budget per year was around $3,000 and their home was the East stands at Clarke Stadium. With no meeting space outside of the locker room, the five men who made up the board met at the York Hotel Pub!

Junior Football across Canada profited from Sanford’s wisdom and guidance. The plaque will be housed in a prominent place at our current Clubhouse – so drop by and have a look!

Wildcat Brad Quartel has been invited to the CFL Combine! The combine which will be held in Edmonton consists of a series of strength and agility drills which gives scouts from the CFL teams an opportunity to see the athletes up close and personal.

Quartel will be joined by fellow PFC players Tristain Hoath (OL – Saskatoon Hilltops) and Brett Carter (Rec – Winnipeg Rifles). Also at the Edmonton Combine will be Jahlani Gilbert-Knorren (QB – Langley Rams) and Nick Downey (Rec – Langley Rams). Representing the CJFL in the Toronto Combine will be Zackary Mederios (K – London Beefeaters) and Jono Carreiro (LB – Twin Cities Predators)

The date of the Combine has not been announced yet, but stay turned for the information when it becomes available!

Edmonton Wildcats President John Wojcicki came out last night to our Winter Workout to present three players with their CJFL All-Canadian Rings. Levon Hawreliak was the Running Back All-Canadian, Ryan Migadel was named Defensive Back All-Canadian, and Logan Trachuk was the Offensive Line All-Canadian. Congratulations Levon, Ryan, and Logan!

Former Wildcat Running Back David Bissett (second from the right) is representing Canada in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi! From everyone with the Edmonton Wildcats, good luck David!