By: Justin Boone
jboone@ticats.ca
Lay out the red, black and pewter carpet, CFL football is back in Ottawa… well sort of.
The press conference, held Tuesday afternoon, will certainly do a lot to garner interest and hopefully encourage people to get behind the idea, but it’s no guarantee that the pigskin will touch down in our Capital for a third time.
CFL commissioner Mark Cohon described his feelings as “guardedly optimistic,” but said he is excited at the potential for football once again to kickoff in Ottawa.
If you love the Canadian game, it’s hard not to be exhilarated by the news that the Rough Riders/Renegades/(insert new team name here), could be back on the field, but before we crack open the ice wine, there’s two major things that need to be addressed.
The first, and more imperative issue, is a stadium – or lack there of.
Frank Clair Stadium at Lansdowne Park needs serious renovations or to be completely demolished in favour of something a little more modern. Ottawa 67’s owner Jeff Hunt, who is heading the group looking to resurrect the team, is confident that a facility will be in place for the 2010. Gentlemen, you have some work to do and unfortunately there isn’t much fans can do on that front, so good luck.
What your supporters can do is begin thinking up their ideas for names of the new franchise. Judging by the forums across the league, people have been trying to come up with a unique name ever sine the Rough Riders days. So let me throw some original ideas on the table, with emphasis on original.
Ottawa 76ers – Jeff Hunt who, as previously mentioned, already owns the Ottawa 67’s could choose to flip the numbers around and be out of the office by noon on Name Selection Day.
Ottawa Hunters – People name arenas, complexes and stadiums after themselves, so why couldn’t Mr. Hunt identify the team by taking a branch from his family tree. Not to mention, it’s by far the most menacing of my suggestions.
Ottawa Beaver Tails – I’ve never seen a beaver in the Capital, but I have seen those stands serving the fried dough Beaver Tail desserts. On top of being an addictive snack, I’m confident that the Tiger-Cats could win any game against a team named after a dessert, so let’s push for this one.
Ottawa Francophones – Aside from the obvious bilingualism which exists in the city, this name also encompasses a Hall of Fame football player (Franco Harris) and a world famous inventor of the phone, who did his work in Canada (Alexander Graham Bell).
Ottawa Parliament Hilltoppers – The Hilltoppers name has worked for the University of Western Kentucky, who have made an improbable run into the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament this year. They also sport very Canadian team colours, Red and White.
What are your suggestions for Ottawa’s team name? Send your e-mails, comments, or Ticats questions to jboone@ticats.ca
Easier Said Than Done
(Quote of the Week)
“I believe that the job of the CFL and the commissioner… is to find the business leaders, to find the community leaders and to find the sports leaders… It’s now in their capable hands to make sure we bring football back to the nation’s capital in a stadium and a facility that the CFL and the fans here deserve.”
Commissioner Cohon giving his explanation why the league awarded Ottawa a “conditional franchise”. Although he tentatively mentioned 2010 as a target date, he understands the hard work that needs to get underway immediately to ensure that happens.
In Case You Blinked
(News from the Week)
K/P Rob Pikula was traded from the Leos to the Esks this week, the most recent event in what has been a busy year for the Brantford native, and that’s not talking about his playing time. Pikula was shipped from B.C. to Winnipeg in June of 2007, only to have the Lions re-acquire him last month. His return to Vancouver was short lived though, as he was sent to Edmonton and now finds himself fighting for a job. The Eskimos have five kickers under contract including the second-overall pick in 2007 Warren Kean, import Hayden Epstein, and two other prospects under contract whose names they haven’t released.
