TICATS MOURN PASSING OF RALPH SAZIO
Hamilton, Ontario – The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are mourning the loss of former player, coach and executive, Ralph Sazio, who passed away last night at the age of 86.
Sazio played four seasons (1950-53) as an offensive and defensive lineman with the Tiger-Cats before becoming head coach in 1963. In five seasons as head coach, he became the most successful coach in Ticats history, compiling a record of 49-20-1 and capturing three Grey Cup championships in four appearances.
“I grew up on Ralph Sazio stories. Since I became involved with the Tiger-Cats, I had the great pleasure to meet with Ralph on many occasions. Even though he had a reputation for toughness as Head Coach and General Manager, he was a genuinely kind, thoughtful and caring person,” said Bob Young. “During our conversations we spent little time discussing his past career simply because he was much more interested in the current state of our favourite football team and the league. We have lost one of the great Tiger-Cats of all time. On behalf of the Tiger-Cats organization, our thoughts and prayers are with Ralph’s family and friends.”
He later became the Black and Gold’s general manager from 1968-1975 as well as 1980, and also served as president from 1973-1977. Following a three-year stint as Vice President of Football Operations from 1978-1980, Sazio left the Ticats to become the President of the Toronto Argonauts.
Sazio was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a builder in 1988 and is also included on the Ticats Wall of Honour. He won the Annus Stukus Trophy as the league’s top coach in 1964.
About the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a member of the Canadian Football League (CFL) with a rich 139-year history, which includes 43 Canadian Football Hall of Famers and 15 Grey Cup Championships. For more information log onto www.ticats.ca
– 30 –
