Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy
Encyclopedia
The Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy is presented annually to the Canadian Football League
(CFL) player "
who best demonstrates the attributes of Canada's veterans in times of war, peace and military conflict." The award was first presented in 2010, and the first recipient was Mike McCullough
of the Saskatchewan Roughriders
.
The award is presented by the CFL and Veterans Affairs Canada
to jointly recognize the contributions of Gaudaur and the sacrifices of Canada's military veterans. Jake Gaudaur
, the award's namesake, served as CFL Commissioner from 1968
until 1984
, after playing for the Toronto Argonauts
, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
and Montreal Alouettes
. He served as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force
during World War II
.
As with other CFL awards, the Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy is presented during Grey Cup
week. For the inaugural award, current Minister of Veterans Affairs Jean-Pierre Blackburn
was on hand to present the trophy to McCullough. The Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy was established as part of the CFL's 2010 Veterans Tribute, a series of activities organized by the league to commemorate "the achievements and sacrifices of Canadian Veterans during times of war, military conflict and peace."
The judges involved in selecting the winner for the Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy in 2010 included CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon
, broadcaster Glen Suitor
, CFL Players Association president Stu Laird
, Dominion Treasurer of the Royal Canadian Legion
Michael Cook and Assistant Deputy Minister for Service Delivery and Commemoration, Veterans Affairs Canada Keith Hillier. The judges selected McCullough based on his perseverance, comradeship, community service, strength and courage.
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
(CFL) player "
who best demonstrates the attributes of Canada's veterans in times of war, peace and military conflict." The award was first presented in 2010, and the first recipient was Mike McCullough
Mike McCullough (Canadian football)
Mike McCullough is a Canadian football linebacker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. McCullough was drafted by the Roughriders in the third round of the 2003 CFL Draft, after playing his college football at St. Francis Xavier University.-University...
of the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
.
The award is presented by the CFL and Veterans Affairs Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada
The Department of Veterans Affairs , also referred to as Veterans Affairs Canada , is the department within the government of Canada with responsibility for pensions/benefits and services for war veterans, retired personnel of the Canadian Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police, their families,...
to jointly recognize the contributions of Gaudaur and the sacrifices of Canada's military veterans. Jake Gaudaur
Jake Gaudaur
For the former world champion sculler see Jake Gaudaur Snr.Jacob Gill "Jake" Gaudaur, Jr., OC was a Canadian Football League player, executive, and commissioner...
, the award's namesake, served as CFL Commissioner from 1968
1968 CFL season
The 1968 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 15th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 11th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1968:J.G...
until 1984
1984 CFL season
The 1984 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 31st season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 27th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1984:...
, after playing for the Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
and Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
. He served as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
As with other CFL awards, the Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy is presented during Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
week. For the inaugural award, current Minister of Veterans Affairs Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Jean-Pierre Blackburn, PC, MP is a Canadian politician. He was the Conservative member of the Canadian House of Commons from the riding of Jonquière—Alma from 2006 to 2011; earlier, he was the Progressive Conservative MP from Jonquière from 1984 to 1993.In 1993, Blackburn was the Parliamentary...
was on hand to present the trophy to McCullough. The Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy was established as part of the CFL's 2010 Veterans Tribute, a series of activities organized by the league to commemorate "the achievements and sacrifices of Canadian Veterans during times of war, military conflict and peace."
The judges involved in selecting the winner for the Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy in 2010 included CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon
Mark Cohon
Mark Steven Cohon is the Canadian Football League's 12th Commissioner. The son of McDonald's of Canada founder George Cohon, he was appointed in 2007 succeeding Tom Wright....
, broadcaster Glen Suitor
Glen Suitor
Glen Suitor was a defensive back who played eleven seasons for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He ranks among the CFL all-time leaders in interceptions with 51. Suitor was a three-time CFL All-Star and a four-time Western All-Star...
, CFL Players Association president Stu Laird
Stu Laird
Stuart Laird is a former professional Canadian football defensive tackle who played thirteen seasons for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He is the president of the Canadian Football League Players' Association.-External links:*...
, Dominion Treasurer of the Royal Canadian Legion
Royal Canadian Legion
The Royal Canadian Legion is a non-profit Canadian ex-service organization founded in 1925, with more than 400,000 members worldwide. Membership includes people who have served as current and former military, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, provincial and municipal police, direct relatives of...
Michael Cook and Assistant Deputy Minister for Service Delivery and Commemoration, Veterans Affairs Canada Keith Hillier. The judges selected McCullough based on his perseverance, comradeship, community service, strength and courage.
Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy winners
- 20112011 CFL seasonThe 2011 CFL season was the 58th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it was the 54th season of the league. The complete schedule was released on February 18 and featured the defending Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes opening the season against the visiting BC Lions on...
- Andre DurieAndre DurieAndre Durie is a professional Canadian football running back/slotback playing for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He signed with the Argonauts on May 10, 2007 as a free agent after he went undrafted in the 2007 CFL Draft...
(RB/SB), Toronto ArgonautsToronto ArgonautsThe Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta... - 20102010 CFL seasonThe 2010 CFL season is the 57th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it is the 53rd season of the league. Edmonton is scheduled to host the 98th Grey Cup on November 28...
- Mike McCulloghMike McCullough (Canadian football)Mike McCullough is a Canadian football linebacker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. McCullough was drafted by the Roughriders in the third round of the 2003 CFL Draft, after playing his college football at St. Francis Xavier University.-University...
(LB), Saskatchewan RoughridersSaskatchewan RoughridersThe Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...