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HEADLINES

Blugh’s a natural as Gaiter head coach
Former star comfortable in transition to sidelines

By Mike Hickey, Special to the Record
Lennoxville, August 23, 2005 - Leroy Blugh was made to play football. From his high school playing days in the Kingston area, to his All-Canadian years at Bishop’s University and ultimately in the Canadian Football League where he an award-winning all-star and Grey Cup winner, Blugh was a player to be reckon with every time he took to the field. He combined outstanding physical tools with intelligence and a strong commitment to excellence.

Blugh enjoyed an exceptionally successful career at Bishop's during the late 80's. The former linebacker was chosen to the CIAU All Canadian team on three occasions and capped that off with the President's Trophy in 1988 as the Best Defensive Player in Canada. Blugh was also chosen the Best Defensive Player in the OQIFC three consecutive seasons. He was drafted by the Canadian Football League in the first round in 1989 by the Edmonton Eskimos where he enjoyed an eleven year career which included one Grey Cup championship in 1993. In 1996, Blugh won the prestigious Schenley Award given to the league's Outstanding Canadian Player. He played for fifteen seasons in the CFL, finishing his career with the Toronto Argonauts in 2003.

During his CFL career, Leroy was selected to the Western Conference All-Star team on three occasions and was also selected twice as a CFL All Canadian.

He now helps to take the same traits and use them to become an outstanding football coach.

“During my CFL days I always thought I would coach when my playing days are over but in the CFL and not in college,” Blugh said yesterday.

However the possibility of returning to his alma mater arose two years ago when he contacted the school about some high school players interested in attending Bishop’s.

“I was working at Queen Elizabeth’s Collegiate and Vocational High School and I called the school about two of my players. I was told that Larry Legault had resigned and I was encouraged to apply for the job.

Blugh was interviewed but Bishop’s was concerned about his lack of coaching experience. Athletic director Tony Addona was given the added responsibilities of head coach while Leroy Blugh was added to the department full-time staff as an assistant coach. It was during last year that Blugh was groomed to be the university’s new head coach, their third in three years.

There is little doubt that the selection of the former CFL Canadian Player of the Year has been well received by the players and alumni.

“Alumni participation and support is one of the keys to the success of the football programme,” Blugh emphasized.

Blugh is counting on Alumni support in recruiting and fund raising activities and the alumni appear ready to do their bit.

“Leroy’s selection as head coach demonstrates that Bishop’s University is serious about hits football programme,” Robbie Allen said Sunday as he watched the Gaiters practice.

Allen knows a bit about football and Bishop’s University. He was an all-Canadian and CFL draft pick while wearing the Purple and Silver in the 1970s and has been active in alumni affairs over the last 30 years. He is past president of the BU Alumni Association and presently assists in identifying prospective university football players in the London, Ontario area.

“Alumni have an important role to play,” Allen added. “Gary Chown (former Gaiter great and father of the Gaiters’ Matt Chown) was instrumental in recruiting several of the rookie linebackers that are in camp.”

Blugh entered the season with no head coaching experience and just one year as an assistant under his belt. But he brings the same intensity, commitment and savvy than made him an outstanding payer to his new role. It is what Bishop’s football needs at this junction as they attempt to revive one of the great football programmes in Canada.