The vision of the CFL Alumni Association is to support the league in fostering a lifelong relationship between the Canadian Football League and its alumni, providing support to its community and the larger community it serves.

A great many of our Alumni are doing some great work in their communities. We would like to spread the word about these members.

Although we do our best to find these nuggets of interest, invariably the best source is you. So if you have any information about what some of the guys are up to please forward to the CFL Alumni Association, c/o Leo Ezerins, Executive Director, leo@cflalumni.org.

A number of CFL alumni played prominent roles in Canada's victory over the US in the inaugural USA-Canada U15 Youth Bowl held earlier this month in San Antonio, Texas.

The Canadian squad, made up of players less than 15 years of age from across the country, prevailed in a thrilling 42-37 shoot-out against the favoured Americans. The game featured many of North America's top U15 football players against each other in an all-star format.

Duane Butler, a former linebacker with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2001-02) and the Montreal Alouettes (2003-06), is on the Board of Directors for Football University of Canada who, in conjunction with Grassroots Prospects, were responsible for selecting the team. The two groups held combines in cities including Toronto, Hamilton, London, Montreal and Ottawa and worked with a number of scouts across the country to evaluate talent and select the Canadian team.

"I was surprised they won, but surprised in a very good way," says Butler. "It started out shocking as the U.S. was up 21-7. But the Canadian team kept fighting and kept their composure. They were down three at half-time but came back in the second half. There was tremendous excitement the whole game. There were a lot of Canadian fans and it was awesome to see."

"It is great to see these kids develop and I think you will definitely see some of these players at the university level."

"I really think it bodes well for Canadian kids hoping to play in the CFL," adds Butler. This will help develop them and hopefully give them that opportunity to play even at the CIS or NCAA level. It will also elevate the level of grassroots football in Canada. We really have just gotten started. As a CFL alumnus I have a huge passion for when our guys want to get involved. I will most definitely be a part of this again next year."

One of the coaches of the Canadian squad was Len Antonini who is vice-president of Regina Minor Football (president of the association is former CFL player Kelly Hamilton who was with the Tiger-Cats from 1983-84). Antonini was referred to Butler by former CFL linebacker Carm Carteri who played in the league from 1979 to '85. Carteri has done colour commentary on Saskatchewan Roughrider radio broadcasts for nearly two decades.

"It was an awesome experience," says Antonini, who was one of six Canadian coaches for the team. "We were all surprised at how big the whole youth football program is down there. I don't think they gave us much of a chance when we fell behind early but we came back and the kids fought hard. It really shows that up to about Grade 8 we must be on a par with the American kids. It shows we are very close to them up to that level. We had to adjust to their rules and we played at a really high level."

Malcolm Lee had three catches for the Canadians for 41 yards. His father Orville Lee played for the Ottawa Rough Riders from 1988-90, the Saskatchewan Roughriders ('90 and '91) and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats ('92). He is the last Canadian to lead the CFL in rushing when he had 1,075 yards for Ottawa in his rookie season. That year he was also named CFL rookie of the year.

"Malcolm went to the first camp in Vancouver where he qualified and got selected," says Lee, whose other son Jamall is a running back with the BC Lions. "I went to the game as a father and a supporter and was fortunate enough to carry the Canadian flag in the opening ceremonies."

"The game showed that there is a lot of talent here at home and the idea is to get some exposure against kids that are equal or maybe more talented. It was a really good game and great to see their morale against a benchmark. Absolutely it raises the expectation level and confidence level. Coaches will definitely look at our boys and opportunities will open up."

"The perception has to change. The mindset has to change," Lee adds. "You are an athlete, not a Canadian football player, you are a football player. It was good for the boys to have that type of success on such a huge stage."

This was the first year for the U15 Bowl as part of the Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl and a huge win for Canadian youth football.