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Bantam Stampeders CBFA

Don McLure was the first head coach of the Hansen Insulation Stampeders formed in 1981.

The assistants were Brent Pym, Cam Moss and Stu Burns.   We practiced at Lord Beaverbrook where we changed out in the wide open.  That didn’t bother us at all as we kind of had a Bad News Bears attitude about it all.

Despite our expansion team status, we were fairly competitive.  We had a 3-4 record including playoffs.

We lost close games in our first two games against the Jaguars and the Broncos then won our first game against the Bulldogs and then won again the next week against the Bearspaw Lions.  That was special because on the Friday night before, we were invited to the play at halftime of the U of C vs. UBC game at McMahon Stadium.  The coaches were worried that we would not get mentally up for the Saturday am game after the adrenaline rush of the previous night.  But that was not a factor.

Our final league game was against the Cowley and Keith Colts coached by Keith Kendal and they were the class of the league and handed it to us pretty good.

We met the Jaguars again in the playoffs and won to take on the Colts in the semi-finals where they beat us again.

With our first ever season in the books, four players were recognized on the CBFA South All-Star team:

Wray Sturdy:  Center

Troy Sparrow:  Defensive back

Rob Zimmerman:  Running Back

Carl Gratton:  Tight End

Rob Zimmerman was also recognized as the league MVP, and award he shared with the late Sam Stambene of the Golden Hawks.

For me, the highlight was travelling to old Mewata Stadium every Saturday, and having our games announced on the PA system.  I also have fond memories of the practices in the playoffs.  In October, the darkness would set in at 6pm and we had no lights to practice under so our fathers stayed at the field during practice, drove their cars onto the field sideline and used their high beams to give us light to practice.

The impact of that season on my football career and my confidence as a teenager were extremely impactful and have left me with lasting memories.  That season meant more to me than the Vanier Cup I was part of in 1985.  I became friends with Rob in that season and that friendship has stuck in the years since.

Written by Carl Gratton (Bantam Stamps 1981 #75)
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