July 7, 2009
FORMER OUA STUDENT-ATHLETES MAKE MARK IN CFL
HAMILTON, Ont. - Twenty-eight former student-athletes from Ontario University Athletics (OUA) were on CFL active rosters during last week’s regular season openers as OUA continues to be a significant source of non-import talent for Canada’s professional football league.
The Toronto Argonauts led the way with seven OUA products on their roster, including receiver Mike Bradwell of Toronto, Ont. who made his professional debut on the field he called home for three seasons as a member of the McMaster Marauders. Bradwell made his first two professional catches for 39 yards, including a 22-yard reception as the Argos defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 30-17 at Ivor Wynne Stadium on July 1. Another former Marauder and B.C. Lion, linebacker Jason Pottinger of Whitby, Ont. made his debut with the Argos, making two tackles and another on special teams. Former Queen’s Gaels running back Bryan Crawford of Hamilton, Ont. had four carries for 20 yards, including a 16-yard scamper, and added one reception for 25 yards in the victory.
Andy Fantuz of Chatham, Ont., formerly of the Western Mustangs, arguably had the best regular season debut of an OUA product offensively as he caught five passes for 74 yards, including a 39-yard reception as he helped the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a 28-24 victory over the B.C. Lions on July 3. Teammate and former Queen’s receiver Rob Bagg of Kingston, Ont. caught three passes for 28 yards, including a 17-yard reception. Lions defensive end Rick Foley of Courtice, Ont. who once played with the York Lions made two tackles, earned a sack and recovered a fumble in the loss.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Arjei Franklin of Scarborough, Ont., formerly of the Windsor Lancers, caught three passes for 30 yards and seven punts for 21 yards in a 19-17 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos on July 2. Jesse Lumsden of Burlington, Ont. made his debut with the Eskimos, but the former Tiger-Cat and Marauder was limited to 25 total yards due to injury.
Other notables include 2008 OUA most valuable player Mike Giffin of Kingston, Ont., as the former Queen’s running back dressed with the Montreal Alouettes in their 40-27 victory over the Calgary Stampeders on Canada Day. Former Hec Crighton Award winner and all-time CIS rushing leader Daryl Stephenson of London, Ont. caught one pass in his season debut with Winnipeg.
Each CFL team dressed at least one former OUA student-athlete. See below for a complete list of the 28 players. Additional OUA alumni can be found on CFL reserve lists, practice rosters and injury lists.
The 2009 OUA season kicks off on Sept. 6 as the two-time defending champion Western Mustangs visit the Ottawa Gee-Gees in a rematch of the 101st Yates Cup, presented by Pioneer Petroleums.
– OUA –
ABOUT ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 19 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.
Photo Credit: Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts led the way with seven OUA products on their roster, including receiver Mike Bradwell of Toronto, Ont. who made his professional debut on the field he called home for three seasons as a member of the McMaster Marauders. Bradwell made his first two professional catches for 39 yards, including a 22-yard reception as the Argos defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 30-17 at Ivor Wynne Stadium on July 1. Another former Marauder and B.C. Lion, linebacker Jason Pottinger of Whitby, Ont. made his debut with the Argos, making two tackles and another on special teams. Former Queen’s Gaels running back Bryan Crawford of Hamilton, Ont. had four carries for 20 yards, including a 16-yard scamper, and added one reception for 25 yards in the victory.
Andy Fantuz of Chatham, Ont., formerly of the Western Mustangs, arguably had the best regular season debut of an OUA product offensively as he caught five passes for 74 yards, including a 39-yard reception as he helped the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a 28-24 victory over the B.C. Lions on July 3. Teammate and former Queen’s receiver Rob Bagg of Kingston, Ont. caught three passes for 28 yards, including a 17-yard reception. Lions defensive end Rick Foley of Courtice, Ont. who once played with the York Lions made two tackles, earned a sack and recovered a fumble in the loss.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Arjei Franklin of Scarborough, Ont., formerly of the Windsor Lancers, caught three passes for 30 yards and seven punts for 21 yards in a 19-17 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos on July 2. Jesse Lumsden of Burlington, Ont. made his debut with the Eskimos, but the former Tiger-Cat and Marauder was limited to 25 total yards due to injury.
Other notables include 2008 OUA most valuable player Mike Giffin of Kingston, Ont., as the former Queen’s running back dressed with the Montreal Alouettes in their 40-27 victory over the Calgary Stampeders on Canada Day. Former Hec Crighton Award winner and all-time CIS rushing leader Daryl Stephenson of London, Ont. caught one pass in his season debut with Winnipeg.
Each CFL team dressed at least one former OUA student-athlete. See below for a complete list of the 28 players. Additional OUA alumni can be found on CFL reserve lists, practice rosters and injury lists.
The 2009 OUA season kicks off on Sept. 6 as the two-time defending champion Western Mustangs visit the Ottawa Gee-Gees in a rematch of the 101st Yates Cup, presented by Pioneer Petroleums.
| PLAYER | POSITION | CFL CLUB | UNIVERSITY | HOMETOWN |
| Jason Arakgi | S | British Columbia | McMaster | Oakville, Ont. |
| Rob Bagg | WR | Saskatchewan | Queen's | Kingston, Ont. |
| Chris Best | OG | Saskatchewan | Waterloo | Calgary, Alta. |
| Mike Bradwell | SB | Toronto | McMaster | Toronto, Ont. |
| Yannick Carter | LB | Hamilton | Laurier | Pickering, Ont. |
| Bryan Crawford | RB | Toronto | Queen's | Hamilton, Ont. |
| Ryan Donnelly | OL | Winnipeg | McMaster | St. Catharines, Ont. |
| Andre Durie | RB | Toronto | York | Mississauga, Ont. |
| Andy Fantuz | SB | Saskatchewan | Western | Chatham, Ont. |
| Rick Foley | DE | British Columbia | York | Courtice, Ont. |
| Arjei Franklin | WR | Winnipeg | Windsor | Scarborough, Ont. |
| Jocelyn Frenette | LS | Saskatchewan | Ottawa | Montreal, Que. |
| Mike Giffin | FB | Montreal | Queen's | Kingston, Ont. |
| Scott Gordon | DB | Edmonton | Ottawa | Kanata, Ont. |
| Jeff Keeping | OG | Toronto | Western | Uxbridge, Ont. |
| Matt Kirk | DT | Hamilton | Queen's | Kingston, Ont. |
| Kyle Koch | OL | Edmonton | McMaster | Kenora, Ont. |
| Ian Logan | S | Winnipeg | Laurier | Waterloo, Ont. |
| Jesse Lumsden | RB | Edmonton | McMaster | Burlington, Ont. |
| Ray Mariuz | LB | Hamilton | McMaster | Mississauga, Ont. |
| Justin Phillips | LB | Calgary | Laurier | Ottawa, Ont. |
| Jason Pottinger | LB | Toronto | McMaster | Whitby, Ont. |
| Jeff Robertshaw | DE | Montreal | McMaster | Hamilton, Ont. |
| Andre Sadeghian | RB | Hamilton | McMaster | Beamsville, Ont. |
| Tyler Scott | WR | Toronto | Western | Windsor, Ont. |
| Brad Smith | WR | Toronto | Queen's | Hudson, Que. |
| Daryl Stephenson | RB | Winnipeg | Windsor | London, Ont. |
| Joel Wright | LB | Montreal | Laurier | Stoney Creek, Ont. |
– OUA –
ABOUT ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 19 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.
Photo Credit: Toronto Argonauts
