O’Leary: A brief history of the CFL in Guelph

The CFL has a way of continuing to find itself back in Guelph.

When the Toronto Argonauts and the Ottawa REDBLACKS step onto the Alumni Stadium at Guelph University on Thursday night, it will mark the third time in the last five years that the school has accommodated a CFL team in a bit of a jam.

This year, the Argos needed a temporary venue, with BMO Field’s grass playing surface undergoing maintenance. In 2016, the Argos held their training camp on the Guelph campus. In 2013, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats made Guelph feel like home while Ivor Wynn Stadium was torn down and Tim Horton’s Field was built in its place.

That season, Alumni Stadium hosted the Ticats’ playoff game. Hamilton beat Montreal 19-16 in overtime in a game where the wind became the story, blocking a Sean Whyte field goal in the first half.  Yes, the wind blocked a field goal.  If you don’t believe me, see below.

The Argos were on-again, off-again training guests on the campus as far back as the 1980s and 1990s, as well.

There are a handful of players that should feel extra comfortable on the campus on Thursday night. Four Argos players — receiver Alex Charette, d-linemen Jeff Finley and Cameron Walker and long-snapper Jake Reinhart — are former Gryphons. REDBLACKS rookie o-lineman Andrew Pickett is also a Gryphon, going immediately back to where he got his football start as he tries to launch his CFL career.

“It’s really cool, it’s a surreal feeling,” Picket told Postmedia’s Tim Baines this week. “For me, the locker-rooms will bring back some old memories. I’m excited.”

The CFL is sprinkled with a healthy dose of Gryphons. Here are some of the most notable:

Rob Maver, Calgary Stampeders
Gabriel Ferrarro, Calgary Stampeders
Royce Metchie, Calgary Stampeders
Tristan Doughlin, Saskatchewan Roughriders
Johnny Augustine, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
John Rush, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Curtis Newton, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Nicholas Parisotto, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Jacob Scarfone, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Ryan Bomben, Montreal Alouettes

Some notable Guelph alums are on the sidelines and executive suites of the CFL, too:

Kyle Walters, Winnipeg Blue Bombers GM
Mike O’Shea, Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach
Jarryd Baines, assistant wide receivers coach, offensive quality control, Hamilton Tiger-Cats