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 Wed Nov 4, 09 "The 09 Wally Buono Award! Raider’s Andrew Harris Tucks Buono Away for the Long Haul! 135 of my 160+ MYKwebTV and TotalCFLwebTV shows are now on my YouTube.com
Directors Channel including lots of TotalCFL TV!" Myk Aussie
The Wally Buono Award magnificent trophy. Refer below for pictures of this great trophy being made.
Raider’s Andrew Harris Tucks Buono Away for the Long Haul! From Chance Saint-Marche’ at Signature Entertainment!
Vancouver, BC – 4th November 2009: All Star running back Andrew Harris of the Canadian Junior Football League’s Vancouver Island Raiders has been named as the 2009 Wally Buono Award winner. Harris becomes the seventh junior football player in as many years to win the nationally coveted Wally Buono Award. "Andrew was an outstanding player who represented his team off and on the field. He did whatever was asked of him, whether he was the star running back or a special teams soldier he always did what was best for the team. I got the pleasure of knowing Andrew when he attended our training camp and I was impressed with his commitment and composure for such a young man," stated BC Lion’s Head Coach Wally Buono.
"There was no question in my mind that Andrew was worthy of the award. Not only were his ‘stats’ outstanding but after getting to know him as a part of the BC Lions, he is a young man with a desire to be the best both on and off the field. He demonstrates leadership, selflessness and the willingness to give back to the community, all qualities of what the WBA represents. He should be very proud of his accomplishments but I think they are only the beginning. He definitely has a bright future ahead of him" added WBA Director, Christie Buono.
Vancouver Island Raider’s Coach of the Year, Matt Blokker added; “Andrew Harris is competitive and he is a leader. Leaders like Andrew hold themselves accountable at all times and that is what makes them great. Andrew Harris is simply the best football player I have ever coached.”
During the 2009 season, Andrew Harris gained 1,476 yards on 102 carries for an average of 14.5 yards a carry for the Vancouver Island Raiders as he accumulated 24 touchdowns. The Raiders are currently undefeated as they head into the Canadian Bowl which will be held in Nanaimo at Caledonia Fields on Saturday, November 14th. Kick-off for the game is set for 1:00 PM. Harris will be in the hunt for more CJFL records as he is currently the record holder for the most touchdowns in a career. He is chasing former CJFL running back and WBA 2007 winner, Tristan Jones, in several other categories.
Born in 1987, Harris stands 5’11” and weighs in at 195 lbs. He is currently a member of the BC Lions Practice Roster as a non-import running back as well as a member of the Vancouver Island Raiders. The WBA Award presentation will be made on November 6th at the BC Lion’s home game. Edmonton Eskimo special teams and backup fullback Chris Ciezki, who is the 2004 WBA winner, will be on the field Friday evening as well.
About the Wally Buono Award:
The Wally Buono Award was established in 2003 and is funded annually by The Saint Bernard Pass Charitable Foundation for the purpose of recognizing Canada's top junior football player. The award is a national award as it is the only award that recognizes all junior football players throughout Canada. Recipients must prove their athletic and leadership ability on the field as well as a high level of leadership within their community. Previous recipients have included 2003 winner, Al Giacalone, who is a former running back for Canada's St. Mary's University and a former Calgary Colt. In 2004, Chris Ciezki, running back for the University of British Columbia and the Edmonton Huskies, was awarded the Wally Buono Award. Jeff Halvorson of the Okanagan Sun Junior Football Club was the third winner of the Wally Buono Award in 2005. Known as the fastest man in junior football, Jeff died suddenly on the practice field on the first of September 2004, just before the end of a practice session. Halvorson was well on his way to breaking several Canadian national junior football rushing records. 2006 saw University of Manitoba pivot and former Winnipeg Rifle, Nate Friesen, take the award. Edmonton Wildcat record holder, Tristan Jones was honored as the 2007 Wally Buono Award winner as the finest junior football player in all of Canada. Cassidy Doneff followed Jones as the WBA winner in 2008.
For Additional Information:
Chance Saint-Marche’
Signature Entertainment
1000 de la Gauchetiere West
Suite 2400
Montreal, Quebec H3B 4W5
Tel: 514.448.2173
About the artist Steve Lillegard:
http://www.sculptmontana.com/
Pictures of Steve and his work are available for print.
Direct quotes and contact information in Montana:
Steven E. Lillegard Studio and Foundry
P.O. Box 88
Stanford, Montana 59479
(406) 566-2552
135 of my 160+ MYKwebTV and TotalCFLwebTV shows are now on my YouTube.com
Directors Channel including lots of TotalCFL TV!
I hope you can add some
ratings and or comments to my shows and or subscribe. For my YouTube Directors
Channel Click here" Myk Aussie
Tues
Aug 19, 08 "The Wally Buono Award! Former
Calgary Colt Receiver Doneff Extends For Top National Award
! New Sports jersey Frames. The 1st shipment ever to Nth America. Order now.
Available now!" Myk Aussie
 
Left: The making of the Wally Buono trophy. See
below for more pictures.
Right:
New
Sports Jersey Frames! The 1st shipment ever to Nth America! Order
now! Available now! They
are awesome!
The jersey hangs great in these High quality Sports jersey display cases.
For contact and ordering
Click here
"Former
Calgary Colt Receiver Doneff Extends For Top National Award
. Calgary, Alberta -
19 August 2008!" Chance Saint-Marche, Signature Entertainment
Former Calgary Colt receiver,
Cassidy Doneff has become
the sixth junior football player in as
many years to win the
nationally coveted Wally Buono Award.
Doneff, a former “All
Canadian Receiver” is currently at Washburn
University in Topeka,
Kansas. As a first year Ichabod, Doneff is
attempting to break the
starting lineup.
This
year sees a new face for the Wally Buono Award as Christie
Buono replaces Christina
Saint Marche. “Christie adds new
life and
a ‘creative edge’ for
the WBA. She is an amazing athlete in her
own right and her
knowledge of football is tremendous. I
just
think people will be
impressed with the exposure Christie will
bring to the award in the
near future.” stated Saint Marche, a UK
resident, who will
continue on as a long term financial supporter
of the national football
award.
Christie Buono went on to add “We are proud of selecting Cassidy
Doneff.
Both my father and I were very impressed with his
abilities and skills.
What strikes us the most is his sincerity
and humility. We could
right away tell that he was a quality young
man with an exceptional
talent. I couldn't help but see the look of
pride on his coach's face
when he spoke about Cassidy.” Buono,
who
was active in the final
selection process along with her father,
legendary coach Wally
Buono, has been involved in nearly every
aspect of the football
world since a very young age. Both
Wally
and Christie will be
featured on TSN’s Brian Williams show in the
coming weeks as they
discuss their relationship and the Wally Buono
Award which has become a
“father and daughter award.”
The Wally Buono Award was established in 2003 by The Saint Bernard
Pass Charitable Foundation
for the purpose of recognizing Canada's
top junior football
player. The award is a national award as it is
the only award that
recognizes all junior football players
throughout Canada.
Recipients must prove their athletic and
leadership ability on the
field as well as a high level of
leadership within their
community. Previous recipients have
included 2003 winner, Al
Giacalone, who is a former runningback for
Canada's St. Mary's
University and a former Calgary Colt. In 2004,
Chris Ciezki, runningback
for the University of British Columbia
and the Edmonton Huskies,
was awarded the Wally Buono Award. Chris
is in his first year with
the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL. Jeff
Halvorson of the Okanagan
Sun Junior Football Club was the third
winner of the Wally Buono
Award. Known as the fastest man in junior
football, Jeff died
suddenly on the practice field on the first of
September 2004, just
before the end of a practice session. Halvorson was well on his
way to breaking several
Canadian national junior football rushing
records. 2006 saw
University of Manitoba pivot and former Winnipeg
Rifle,
Nate Friesen take the award. Last
year, Edmonton Wildcat
record holder, Tristan
Jones was honored as the 2007 Wally Buono
Award
winner as the finest junior football player in all of Canada.
An event to honor Cassidy
Doneff is currently being scheduled in
Vancouver , BC.
A new large scale trophy and exhibit are under
construction and will be
placed in a sports hall of fame in Canada
later this year as part of
a national awareness program for the
award which includes a
coast to coast touring exhibit.
For
Additional Information:
R. Chance Saint Marche
Signature Entertainment
1000 de la Gauchetiere West
Suite 2400
Montreal, Quebec H3B 4W5
Tel: 514.448.2173
Both Wally & Christie Buono can be contacted via the BC Lions.
Cassidy Doneff may be
contacted at 785.408.9193 for comment and interviews.
Pictures of Cassidy for
publication are available through the
Calgary Colts Media
Please contact Ms. Sharon
Lea at sharon.lea@calgaryhealthregion.ca
or
at shlea@telus.net
Fri Jan 18,
08 "New Sports jersey Frames. The 1st shipment ever to Nth America. Order now.
Available now!" Myk Aussie
New
Sports Jersey Frames! The 1st shipment ever to Nth America! Order
now! Available now! They
are awesome!
The jersey hangs great in these High quality Sports jersey display cases.
For contact and ordering
Click here"
Myk Aussie
Nov
16 07 "The Canadian Bowl. Congratulations to
The Saskatoon Hilltops winning their 13th National title!
New Sports Jersey Frames. The 1st shipment ever to Nth
America. Order now. Available in Nov 07 for Christmas! For hours of intense
Sports, Comedy TV and a weekly column come join me in the now 100% Free
Mates Club!"
Myk Aussie
In early November, The Saskatoon Hilltops defeated the St Leonard Cougars from
Montreal 26-3 in the Canadian Bowl. The game was held in Winnipeg’s Canad Inns
Stadium.
For more information on the CJFL I suggest CJFL.ca
Click here
New Sports Jersey Frames! The 1st shipment ever to Nth America! Order
now! Available in Nov 07 for Christmas! They
are awesome! The jersey hangs great in these High quality Sports jersey display cases.
For contact and ordering
Click here
"For
hours of intense Sports, Comedy TV and a weekly column come join me in
the now 100% Free Mates Club
Click here" Myk
Aussie
Wed
July 11 07
"Edmonton's Jones
set to take on Buono! From
R. Chance
Saint-Marche!"
Myk Aussie
"Edmonton Wildcat
Tristan Jones is about to make his dream of playing professional football take a
step closer to reality. As the son of former Edmonton Eskimo great Milson Jones,
Tristan along with his younger brother Devon, have created a stir on the
national junior football circuit. Even though Tristan has one more year of
junior eligibility left, he still is focused on achieving his life long dream of
playing professional football. On Friday Evening, September 14th, Tristan Jones
will be honored at the Canadian Football Hall of Fame Induction Dinner as the
2007 Wally Buono Award Winner for Canada's Most Outstanding Junior Player. "It's
exciting to win this award and it hasn't really sunk in as of yet. Wally Buono
is a legend and to even be attached to this award is hard to comprehend at this
moment. There are a lot of people I ha ve to thank for helping me get to where I
am today. I have to start with my family especially my brother for pushing me to
become better every single day. Both on and off the field, he always has my
back. I couldn't do it without him" stated Tristan Jones.
The new WBA Bronze trophy will be unveiled and presented to Jones at the
Canadian Football Hall of Fame in Hamilton, Ontario. Jones will be seated at the
head table with former CFL greats Greg Battle, Darren Flutie, Rocco Romano and
Pierre Vercheval. Along with coaching legend, Dave "Tuffy" Knight, the CFL
players will be honored as the 2007 Canadian Football Hall of Fame Inductees.
Jones' selection comes as no surprise to many within the junior football
community as he has broken a string of junior football records this past year.
"I was fortunate enough to see Tristan in person on several occasions and he is
a remarkable runningback. I even went as far as to run his father's game film
side by side with his and the comparison was more than I expected. Both Tristan
and Devon have many of Milson's attributes and skills" stated Christina Saint
Marche who submitted Tristan to Wally
Buono as a candidate for the WBA. "The difference between Milson and his sons is
that the boys have become students of the game. Tristan has mastered the
fundamentals of his position. He has great peripheral vision as he hits the
hole. He is not afraid to make adjustments when the opening is not there. He has
great instincts as a runner." commented Saint Marche.
The Wally Buono award is a national award which will be housed in the Canadian
Football Hall of Fame and Museum in a soon to be built exhibit for junior
football. The new bronze trophy which is replacing the 64 pound hammered glass
trophy is the only award that takes into consideration all junior players on a
national basis. The Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum will be the
caretakers of the new bronze trophy in perpetuity. The award was established in
2003 by The Saint Bernard Pass Charitable Foundation for the purpose of
recognizing such a player on a national basis. It is in it's fifth year of
presentation.
Recipients of the Wally Buono Award must prove their athletic and leadership
ability on the field as well as a high level of leadership within their
community. Previous recipients have included 2003 winner, Al Giacalone of
Calgary, Alberta. In 2004, Chris Ciezki of Edmonton, Alberta was awarded the
Wally Buono Award. In 2005, the award went to Jeff Halvorson of the Okanagan Sun
Junior Football Club as the third winner of the Wally Buono Award. Known as the
fastest man in junior football, Jeff died suddenly on the practice field on the
first of September 2004, just before the end of a practice session. Halvorson
was well on his way to breaking several national junior football rushing records
himself at that time. Quarterback Nate Friesen was the 2006 winner and he is a
member of the Manitoba Bisons.
Wally Buono, who presides over the award that bares his name, enters his fifth
season as the Lions general manager and head coach. Over the past four seasons,
Buono has led the Lions to four consecutive playoff appearances and three
consecutive first-place regular season finishes as well as a Grey Cup
Championship in 2006. Over a 17-year coaching career, Buono has led his clubs to
ten division titles and four Grey Cup championships. Highly-respected among
coaching peers, he has amassed a regular season record of 202-102-2, putting him
second only to Don Matthews in all-time CFL wins. His consistency and success
have been recognized with the CFL's Coach of the Year award in 2006, 1992 and
1993.
Born in Potenza,
Italy, in 1950, Wally moved to Canada in 1953 with his family, later playing
minor football in Montreal. He attended Idaho State University and was a
linebacker for the Bengals. Wally returned to Canada and played 10 seasons with
the Montreal Alouettes as a linebacker, appearing in 152 games. Shortly after
his retirement, Wally tried his hand at coaching, landing an assistant position
with the Montreal organization in 1983. Four years later, Wally found himself in
Calgary where he worked under Larry Kuharich until 1990 when Stamps' President
Norman Kwong hired him as head coach of the Stamps.
Aside from being an accomplished CFL coach, Wally is a noted contributor to the
community, being recognized for his work with the Paul Harris award in 2001.
Wally continues to donate a significant amount of time as an ambassador of the
Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation and as a spokesperson for the Heart and
Stroke Foundation.
After being diagnosed with angina in 2004, Wally has been spokesperson for
Making the Connection TM, a program dedicated to the ongoing education of
Canadians about the dangers of high cholesterol and its link to heart disease.
Wally is also actively involved with Operation Christmas Child, giving presents
of clothing and toys to children of impoverished nations.
Wally and his wife Sande have four children, Amy, Dana, Christie and Michael and
one grandchild Jonah.
Tristan Jones Achievements 2006:
2006 CJFL All Canadian Runningback
2006 CJFL All Canadian Offensive Player of the Year
2006 PFC Offensive Back of the Year
2006 PFC Most Valuable Player
2006 PFC Offensive Player of the Year
For Press
Release Information Contact:
R.
Chance
Saint-Marche'
Signature Entertainment Corp
"The Official Cinematographers of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame"
(514)448-2173
chance@saintmarche.co.uk
Tristan
Jones can be reached at (780)819-2226
Debbie Boyko for pictures of Tristan ("debboyko@telusplanet.net)
or (780)905-3096
Wally Buono can be reached at the BC Lions
Janice Smith is the Managing
Director of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame (905)528-7566"
R.
Chance
Saint-Marche'
Tues
May 1, 07 "A former Ottawa Sooner Offensive star to play Australian Rules Football
with the Calgary Kangaroos in 07 instead of nominating for the CFL Draft!! More
on this story coming soon!" Myk
Sun,
Dec 10. 06 "Chris
Ciezki a tailback of the University of B.C Thunderbirds signed by Lions!
Ciezki a Buono Award winner hopes he can impress Wally Buono the BC Lions
coach!" Myk
Chris Ciezki
originally from Edmonton signed a minimum three
year contract with the BC Lions this week. Chris won the Wally Buono Award two
years ago while playing for the Edmonton Huskies in the CJFL.
The more CDN's
playing in key positions is a good thing for the CFL. Good luck to Chris at my
favorite CFL team the 2006 Grey Cup Champs the BC Lions!" Myk Aussie
"I hope you can join me Mates Club
for hours of Sports, Comedy, Babe TV
Click here
" Myk
Tues,
Aug 8
06 "Nathan
Friesen a
Blue Bomber future wins the 4th Wally Buono Award!" Myk Aussie
Left: Nathan Friesen in action. Right: The making of the Wally Buono trophy. See
below for more pictures.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE from Chance Saint Marche
BLUE BOMBER FUTURE PROSPECT TAKES ON BUONO
(Winnipeg, Manitoba - 8th August 2006) For Nathan Friesen it isn't just one more
sixty-four pound, hammered glass trophy he is adding to his already extensive
awards collection. It is the coveted Wally Buono Award and on September 29th,
in Hamilton, Ontario, he'll be seated at the head table with former Blue Bomber
great, Matt Dunigan, where he will be honored along with the 2006 Canadian
Football Hall of Fame Inductees at the Hall's 34th Annual Induction Dinner.
Friesen is the recipient of the 4th Wally Buono Award, a national football award
that was established by The Saint Bernard Pass Charitable Foundation back in
early 2003.
Nathan Friesen was born in the community of St. Vital in 1983 and is the son of
Lucie Van Den Bussche and Larry Friesen. He attended Glenlawn Collegiate and
graduated with honors. "My father's passion for the game is probably what got
me into football in the first place, but I've wanted to play for as long as I
can remember" stated Nathan. Friesen, playing the last two seasons in the
short four year history of the Winnipeg Rifles Junior Football Club, twice led
the team to their only conference playoff berths. In 2005, Nathan quarterbacked
his team to a 7-1 record and the team's first playoff victory. Friesen was named
the Outstanding Offensive Player in his conference and the All Star quarterback
in the league ranking high in the passing, rushing and scoring statistical
categories. Rifles Head Coach, Mike Watson, stated that" Nathan was instrumental
in elevating the Rifle program to the next level."
Friesen joins the ranks of the Wally Buono Award past recipients as the award's
first quarterback. "Nathan understands the meaning of commitment in that he has
always demonstrated a real ability to defer short term gratification in favor of
a longer term goal" stated former coach Greg Graceffo. Winnipeg Rifles
President and General Manager, Gord Cooke, stated that "Nathan is an outstanding
athlete with tremendous leadership qualities both on and off the field. He is a
credit to our football program." Friesen was recruited by several Canadian
Universities but decided to commit to his home town University of Manitoba
Bisons and will make a challenge for the starting quarterback position. Bison
Head Coach, Brian Dobie, said that "with Nathan, we added tremendous competition
and depth to the position." "Although I am taking my education seriously I am
very focused on becoming a quarterback for the Blue Bombers. It's been some
time since the Blue Bombers have had a Canadian pivot and I'd like to change
that in the future." stated Friesen. "For now I'm with the Manitoba Bisons and
just about to embark on another adventure with the "Herd" and that is my focus
along with my studies. I'm currently in my third year of my business degree,
majoring in finance and marketing at the I.H. Asper School of Business,
University of Manitoba" added Friesen.
The Wally Buono Award was established in 2003 by The Saint Bernard Pass
Charitable Foundation for the purpose of recognizing Canada's top junior
football player. The award is a national award which will be housed in the
Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum in a soon to be built exhibit for
junior football. The new bronze trophy which is replacing the hammered glass
trophy, is several inches bigger than the Heisman Trophy and is the only award
that takes into consideration all junior players on a national basis. The
bronze statue has been designed and will be cast by renowned sculptor, Steve
Lillegard, at his Stanford, Montana foundry. The Canadian Football Hall of Fame
and Museum will be the caretakers of the new bronze trophy in perpetuity.
Recipients of the Wally Buono Award must prove their athletic and leadership
ability on the field as well as a high level of leadership within their
community. Previous recipients have included 2003 winner, Al Giacalone of
Calgary, Alberta. In 2004, Chris Ciezki of Edmonton, Alberta, currently a
running back for UBC, was awarded the Wally Buono Award. Last year, the award
went to Jeff Halvorson of the Okanagan Sun Junior Football Club as the third
winner of the Wally Buono Award. Known as the fastest man in junior football,
Jeff died suddenly on the practice field on the first of September 2004, just
before the end of a practice session. Halvorson was well on his way to breaking
several national junior football rushing records.
Wally Buono, who presides over the award that bares his name, enters his fourth
season as the Lions Head Coach and General Manager. Over the past three seasons,
Buono has led the Lions to three consecutive playoff appearances and two
consecutive first-place regular season finishes. Over a 16-year coaching career,
Buono has led his clubs to nine division titles and three Grey Cup
championships. Highly-respected among coaching peers, he has amassed a regular
season record of 188-98-2, putting him second only to Don Matthews in all-time
CFL wins. His consistency and success have been recognized with the CFL's Coach
of the Year award in 1992 and 1993.
Born in Potenza, Italy in 1950, Wally moved to Canada in 1953 with his family,
later playing minor football in Montreal junior football program. He would later
help coach in the Quebec junior football league. He attended Idaho State
University and was a linebacker for the Bengals. He is a member of the Idaho
State University Hall of Fame. Wally later returned to Canada and played 10
seasons with the Montreal Alouettes as a linebacker and punter, playing in 152
games. Shortly after his retirement, he tried his hand at coaching, landing an
assistant position with the Montreal organization in 1983. Four years later,
Wally found himself in Calgary where he worked under Larry Kuharich until 1990
when Stamps' President Norman Kwong hired him as Head Coach of the Stamps.
Aside from being an accomplished CFL Head Coach and General Manager, Wally is a
noted contributor to community organizations winning the Paul Harris award in
2001. Wally and his wife Sande have four children, Amy, Dana, Christie and
Michael.
For Additional information:
R. Chance Saint-Marche'
Signature Entertainment
1000 de la Gauchetiere West
Montreal, Quebec H3B 4W5
Tel: 514.448.2173
Contact Information:
Nathan Friesen 204.253.6143
Mike Watson, head Coach, Winnipeg Rifles 204.782.1705
Gord Cooke, Executive, Winnipeg Rifles 204.795.7131
Cory Waldbauer, Quarterback Coach, Winnipeg Rifles 204.291.6499
Wed, July 9 06
"The Alouettes back in the Wilson Challenge! Alouette players will serve as
honourary captains!" Myk Aussie
From Louis-Philippe Dorais, Director of Media Relations at the Alouettes.
Montreal, July 5, 2006 –
For a third consecutive year, the Montreal Alouettes will again be actively
involved in the Wilson Challenge, a tournament between the province’s top minor
football teams, with several Alouette players taking active roles in the
activities surrounding the event. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Football
Québec’s Wilson Challenge is a summer football tournament which is part of the
federation’s Program of Excellence aimed at select teams and leagues from Quebec
and Ontario. The province’s future gridiron stars, ages 12 to 16, will all be
there this July 8 to 16.
The Alouettes’ players will be honourary captains of participating teams in
predetermined areas and will be on the field of the three stadiums that will
host the event. The tournament will begin at Concordia University and will then
head to the University of Montreal’s CEPSUM. The finals will take place at
Percival Molson Stadium, home of the Alouettes. The July 11th game will
exceptionally be held at the CEGEP de Beauce
It’s with a lot of enthusiasm that Sylvain Girard (Estrie-/Centre-du-Québec),
Damon Duval (Montreal Monstars/QBFL), Anwar Stewart (EMS), Paul Lambert (North
Shore), Luke Fritz (Richelieu), Phillip Gauthier (Métro.com),
Étienne Boulay (Québec) and Matthieu Proulx (Beauce Appalaches) accepted to be
involved in this year’s edition.
Taking a leadership role in the community, the Montreal Alouettes’ organization
continues its commitment with a consistent contribution to the development of
amateur football in Quebec.
For more information on the Alouettes, visit
www.montrealalouettes.com
"I hope you can join me Mates Club
for hours of Sports, Comedy, Babe TV
Click here
" Myk
Thurs, June 8
06 "The
Wally Buono Award!
Wally Buono
Award Begins it's Journey to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame from Chance Saint-Marche"
Myk Aussie
Below is a recent Media
release from Chance Saint-Marche.
Left: Drawing of approximately
what the finished sculpture will look like. Right: Steve Lillegard
making the sculpture.
About the Wally Buono Award:
The Wally Buono Award was established in 2003 by The Saint Bernard Pass
Charitable Foundation for the purpose of recognizing Canada's top junior
football player. The award is a national award. Recipients must prove their
athletic and leadership ability on the field as well as a high level of
leadership within their community. Previous recipients have included 2003
winner, Al Giacalone ("Calgary Colts"), who is a running back for Canada's St.
Mary's University. In 2004, Chris Ciezki ("Edmonton Huskies"), a
running back for
the University of British Columbia, was awarded the Wally Buono Award. Last
year the award went to Jeff Halvorson of the Okanagan Sun Junior Football Club
as the third winner of the Wally Buono Award. Known as the fastest man in junior
football, Jeff died suddenly on the practice field on the first of September
2004, just before the end of a practice session. Halvorson was well on his way
to breaking several Canadian national junior football rushing records. This
year's winner will be announced on August 9th.
The award will be housed in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum in a
soon to be built exhibit for junior football. The trophy is several inches
bigger than the Heisman Trophy and is the only junior award that takes into
consideration both junior football leagues. The Canadian Football Hall of Fame
and Museum will be the caretakers of the trophy in perpetuity.
About Wally Buono:
Wally Buono enters his fourth season as the Lions Head Coach and General
Manager. Over the past three seasons, Buono has led the Lions to three
consecutive playoff appearances and two consecutive first-place regular season
finishes. Over a 16-year coaching career, Buono has led his clubs to nine
division titles and three Grey Cup championships. Highly-respected among
coaching peers, he has amassed a regular season record of 188-98-2, putting him
second only to Don Matthews in all-time CFL wins. His consistency and success
have been recognized with the CFL's Coach of the Year award in 1992 and 1993.
Born in Potenza, Italy, in 1950, Wally moved to Canada in 1953 with his family,
later playing minor football in Montreal. He attended Idaho State University and
was a linebacker for the Bengals. Wally returned to Canada and played 10 seasons
with the Montreal Alouettes as a linebacker and punter, playing in 152 games.
Shortly after his retirement, Wally tried his hand at coaching, landing an
assistant position with the Montreal organization in 1983. Four years later,
Wally found himself in Calgary where he worked under Larry Kuharich until 1990
when Stamps' President Norman Kwong hired him as Head Coach of the Stamps.
Aside from being an accomplished CFL coach, Wally is a noted contributor to the
community, being recognized for his work with the Paul Harris award in 2001.
Wally continues to donate a significant amount of time as an ambassador of the
Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation and as a spokesperson for the Heart and
Stroke Foundation.
After being diagnosed with angina in 2004, Wally has been spokesperson for
Making the Connection (TM), a program dedicated to the ongoing education of
Canadians about the dangers of high cholesterol and its link to heart disease.
Wally is also actively involved with Operation Christmas Child, giving presents
of clothing and toys to children of impoverished nations.
Wally Buono Award Begins it's Journey to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Montreal (Quebec) Canada - 7 June 2006 - There seems to be this relationship
Wally Buono has with The Great State of Montana and it looks like it's going to
last a lifetime. Buono, who is the second winningest coach in the history of
the Canadian Football League, began rebuilding the CFL's BC Lions Football Club
back in 2002 by adding the University of Montana's, Bob O'Billovich as an
operational cornerstone. Bob was an outstanding athlete at the University of
Montana and was the only varsity athlete to earn three varsity letters in
football, basketball and baseball, serving as a captain in all three sports.
From there, Buono summoned the help of a former quarterback who starred for C.M.
Russell and the University of Montana, Dave Dickenson. Dickenson who had
quarterbacked Buono's previous team, the Calgary Stampeders, had begun his NFL
career. The offer to work again with Wally Buono was intriguing and, in a short
period of time, a contract was assembled and Dave was back in the saddle as
Wally's field general.
This year, Tyler Emmert joins the B.C. Lions after one of the most prolific
careers in U.S. college football history at Montana's Carroll College which
resulted in four consecutive NAIA national championships and a record-setting
13,979 yards of total offense for the Montana native. Buono, who is known for
developing great quarterbacks with the likes of Doug Flutie and Jeff Garcia, has
very high expectations for Emmert. Emmert said he's "honoured" to be alongside
Dickenson, a legend back home in Montana because he quarterbacked the University
of Montana Grizzlies to 1995's NCAA division I-AA championship.
The Montana connection doesn't stop there for Wally Buono although it does take
a sharp turn in the road somewhere along Route 87 at Stanford, Montana. It is
in Stanford, at the studio of bronze sculptor Steve Lillegard, that Wally Buono,
the former CFL Montreal Alouette Linebacker, will be cast into a Canadian
National trophy. The trophy, which is the centerpiece of the Wally Buono Award
for Junior Football Players across the country, will be left up to Steve
Lillegard and his creativity. Lillegard's creation will be housed in the
Canadian Football Hall of Fame in Hamilton, Ontario within a newly designed
junior football exhibit. Each year, the trophy will be given to Canada's top
junior football player. Junior football in Canada is comprised of two separate
leagues who's players are between 18 through 22 years of age. The beginnings of
the two leagues can be traced back to the early 1900's.
Born in 1955, Steven E. Lillegard was raised on a ranch and in the small towns
of Moccasin and Stanford in central Montana. His artistic ability was noticed
and encouraged early by his mother, Elisabeth Lillegard, an artist trained in
Boston. During family trips to New England she took him to see works of masters
in museums in Boston, Washington D.C. and New York City. His formal training
started at Stanford High School where Patricia Hansen assembled an excellent art
department. He continued his education at Montana State University where he
majored in Fine Art. He won awards in illustration and cartooning while working
as the artist for the university newspaper. Lillegard transferred to a graphic
arts college and worked as a graphic artist before turning his attention to
sculpture. He returned to Stanford in 1981 and began researching the process of
casting bronze and built his foundry. Since then his sculptures have won
numerous awards including "Best of Show" and "Peoples Choice." They have been
featured in museums and can be found in collections worldwide.
As the story goes, Steve Lillegard was not even on the list of potential
sculptors that were being interviewed for the project. The search had been
focused on well known artists, exclusively. It wasn't until Christina Saint-Marche,
a director for The Saint Bernard Pass Charitable Foundation, passed by
Lillegard's sign "on about eight separate occasions" that she decided to stop
and speak to him. Much to her surprise, there in front of her, was the artist
she had hoped for, sitting in this small town of less than 500 people, in the
rural part of Montana. "Steve had no idea who I was or what I was looking for
but he spent about two hours showing me his work and telling me about his life.
The detail of his work was incredible and I knew, at that moment, we had found
our man." stated Saint-Marche.
However, the difficult task was not yet complete. There was a committee which
needed to be convinced that it would be best to allow this American artist, from
a small town in Montana, to design a bronze statue that would be housed in the
Canadian Football Hall of Fame. A Hall of Fame where all of the busts of the
inductees and other awards are sculpted by recognized Canadian artists. Then
there was Wally and Sande Buono. Wally, who is a humble man of modest
beginnings, didn't want to bring too much attention to himself with an award
that was reflective of his days as a player. Over a short period of time, the
committee was convinced that Steve Lillegard was their man. Still, there was
the convincing of Wally Buono to handle. "Anyone who knows of Wally Buono, the
Montreal Alouette player, would know that he was a fierce competitor. Although
he was not sizable for the position, Buono played outside linebacker where he
was constantly found in a collision with anyone who had the football" said
Saint-Marche. "As I look back over the CFL films we have gathered for this
project, I am amazed how much ground Wally covered and how hard of a tackler he
was. He was an old school style, punishing, type of player."
On May 1st, Steve Lillegard and Wally Buono met for the very first time. There
was chemistry in the room and the final agreement was put in place to move
forward with the sculpture.
Lillegard's idea of "details" came down to not only exact body measurements of
Wally's playing days but also the type of cleats he wore, his old uniform and
helmet and even if he had taped his cleats and hands. A pair of Puma brand
football cleats from 1974 were found on E-Bay so that the exact detail could be
included within the sculpture. No detail would be overlooked by the artist.
And for the very first time, a small piece of Stanford, Montana will be seen in
the Canadian Football Hall of Fame for all who visit. The plaque, as mounted
below the bronze statue, will read, "Steve Lillegard - Artist, Stanford,
Montana." For future Hall of Famers like Bob O'Billovich and Dave Dickenson it
is a sense of Montana pride. For Tyler Emmert, it is a message that a small
piece of home can be found in Canadian football's most important building.
The Wally Buono Trophy can be seen taking shape at:
http://www.slillegard.com/buono/
About Steve Lillegard:
http://www.sculptmontana.com
Steven E. Lillegard Studio and Foundry P.O. Box 88 Stanford, Montana 59479 (406)
566-2552
studio@sculptmontana.com
About The Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum: http://www.footballhof.com
For Additional Information:
Chance Saint-Marche'
Signature Entertainment
1000 de la Gauchetiere West
Suite 2400
Montreal, Quebec H3B 4W5
Tel: 514.448.2173
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