Rick Moffat
CFL.ca
The jokes are that Ray Lalonde is already designing “barber-pole” throwback jerseys for the Als’ Centennial Celebrations and 2046 event planning is well underway.
“No barber-poles,” smiled Lalonde after his coronation drew Hall of Fame players past and future from Peter Dalla Riva to Anthony Calvillo. “Unless they’re part of our history, of course!”
Ray Lalonde (middle) poses with Alouettes owner Robert Wettenhall (left) and chairman Paul Harris after being announced as the club’s new President and CEO on Wednesday.
“Besides I’ll be pushing 100 by then, so I hope to be there.”
Ray Lalonde will be a big impact free agent signing by owner Robert Wetenhall. The entire CFL will benefit.
Just as the raw rah-rah energy of Larry Smith was needed when the Alouttes were on their financial ‘3rd-and-very long’, so the acumen, class and drive of Ray Lalonde will be a great fit for a team now facing ‘1st-and-3-peat’.
“I don’t think talking about a 3-peat puts any more pressure on the coach or the organization,” explains the former Canadiens V.P. who actually included “Stanley Cup Parade” as a planned event in the Canadiens’ bid-book to the NHL outlining their Centennial plans.
Marc Trestman and Smith never uttered the “R-word” as a goal even after the back-to-back Grey Cup victory was assured. But Lalonde says he’s not concerned if his head coach will avoid talk of the 3-peat.
“If you don’t think you can win a championship at the start of the season, then I don’t think you should be in sports,” declared Lalonde, who mentioned the legendary college coach Joe Paterno as a key influence during his days at Penn State.
“I thought he was old then,” joked Lalonde.
He won’t drop and give you 25 pushups, but Lalonde will work his staff almost as hard as he works himself. He will push the CFL to be the best it can be as well.
“I’m impressed,” said Anthony Calvillo after Lalonde sat at the right hand of Mr. Wetenhall. Calvillo was praised throughout the prez’s introductory remarks. And in a warning to opposing defences for 2011, Calvillo says he’s working out more intensely than he ever has in the offseason.
Don’t expect Ray Lalonde to wave a magic wand solving the players’ biggest annoyance; time spent riding busses to and from assorted practise fields and their Olympic Stadium locker room. But it is a priority.
Among his first official tasks: helping Jim Popp and the players finalize their Grey Cup ring design.
Then, expect Lalonde to be a powerful voice within the CFL. He’ll be a powerful voice FOR the CFL.
He almost slipped in his first few sentences. Almost saying “Stanley” not “Grey” when talking about the Als Cups. But he’ll learn the champagne tastes just as sweet from either precious mug.
On Day 1 he flashed the ticket from his first ever sporting roadtrip. 1974 Bombers host Als. He flashed his ’79 Grey Cup stub. He recalled his favourite player “The Ordinary Superstar” Johnny Rodgers.
But it is his first memories of the Als, Sonny Wade in green, that will be the inspiration for the first throwback jerseys of the Lalonde Era.
Memo to the Prez: just don’t wear them against the Riders.
